Born in Fort Washington, Maryland, Gray attended Fort Washington Forest Elementary before relocating to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2013 attending Community House MS and Ardrey Kell High School. As a wide receiver, he brought in 143 receptions for 2,467 yards and 27 touchdowns, while also rushing for 70 yards and a touchdown. As a linebacker on defense, he tallied 131 tackles with 12 being for a loss, 4.5 sacks, two pass deflections, three interceptions, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble.[1] Gray committed to play college football at the University of North Carolina over other schools such as Akron, Appalachian State, and Marshall.[2][3]
College career
As a freshman in 2020, Gray recorded three tackles.[4] Gray would break out the following year, earning a starting spot at linebacker for the Tar Heels in 2021. In week seven of that season, Gray recorded six tackles with one for a loss, and two interceptions, including the interception to clinch the victory over Miami.[5][6] For his performance, he was named the ACC linebacker of the week.[7] In the team's bowl game, Gray posted 13 tackles with two for a loss, but the Tar Heels fell to South Carolina.[8] Gray finished the 2021 season with 99 tackles with six going for a loss, 2.5 sacks, three pass deflections, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery.[9]
Gray got off to a strong start to the 2022 season, racking up 13 tackles and an interception in the Tar Heels' thrilling 63–61 win over Appalachian State.[10] In week five, Gray totaled eight tackles and an interception in a 41-10 win over Virginia Tech, 41–10.[11] In week ten, Gray racked up 16 tackles as the Tar Heels beat Virginia, 31–28.[12] In the 2022 Holiday Bowl, Gray recorded eight tackles with two for a loss, and a pass deflection, but North Carolina fell to Oregon, 28–27.[13] Gray finished the 2022 season with 145 tackles with 12 being for a loss, a sack, six pass deflections, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and three forced fumbles, earning first team All ACC honors for his performance.[14][15] He was also named a second team All-American by Sporting News.[16]
Gray was named to the preseason first team All-ACC heading into the 2023 season,[17] and would live up to that projection. He would tally 121 total tackles (64 solo), five sacks, two forced fumbles, and another interception en route to his second-straight first team all-conference nod.[18] He would declare for the 2024 NFL draft following the conclusion of the regular season.[19]
Gray was selected in the fourth round with the 106th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans.[22] He was placed on injured reserve on August 29, 2024.[23] He was activated on October 29.
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