2017 ATH Gray talks FSU, Mississippi State visits
Despite changing from being a primarily offensive player to being solely a defensive player, Class of 2017 La Vergne (Tenn.) athlete Maleik Gray has seen no drop off in production, or in recruiting interest.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound prospect now has offers from most of college football's power players, including Florida State, Mississippi State and Alabama.
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"It's great to have offers coming in and I try to treat them all the same," Gray said. "I'm just trying to keep playing harder and harder and help my team make a run in the playoffs."
Last season as a freshman Gray was an impact player at running back, now at outside linebacker full-time, he's been a key part of La Vergne High's run to the state playoffs.
"With me playing defensive full-time I feel really comfortable," he said. "I think playing defensive is the best fit for me on my team and at the next level."
With a ton of new offers, Gray said it's been hard to pick one the really jumped out at him. But he did say he was surprised when the nation's No. 1 ranked team added to his list.
"The one that really caught my attention was Mississippi State because it came out of nowhere," he said. "I was kid of like 'wow, this one is special.' But at the end of the day I still have a long way to go."
Gray was on campus in Starkville earlier this season to watch the Bulldogs play Auburn. He said he enjoyed the trip.
"It was crazy hearing all of those cowbells and being in that type of environment," he said. "I just like it down there. I'm from Mississippi originally and there's no place like home. With the coaches being busy and stuff I didn't get to talk to them as much as I wanted but it was still a good trip."
As if the new interest from the nation's No. 1 team isn't enough, Gray is also getting plenty of love from the defending national champions, FSU.
"I went down there for the game against Notre Dame," Gray said. "It was crazy as usual. I loved. I just love the atmosphere and the mentality the players have. They know how to go out and win big games."
Gray said he's starting to develop quite the relationship with assistant coach Randy Sanders, as well as one of the Seminoles best defensive players.
"Coach Sanders keeps telling me how bad they want me," Gray said. "I love him as a coach. He's a really nice guy and easy to talk to. He stopped by my school on Friday on their way back from the Louisville game and that was big."
He added: "I also talk to Jalen Ramsey a lot. With him being from Nashville we have that bond. We don't talk about football that much but he is someone I look up to for what he's been able to do."