2017 back already has four SEC offers
He's only played part of his freshman season but already class of 2017 La Vergne (Tenn.) running back Maleik Gray is catching the attention of coaches all across the Southeast.
Over the past week alone the 6-foot-1, 178-pound back has picked up offers from Vanderbilt, Mississippi, Kentucky and Tennessee.
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"It just came out of nowhere," said Gray, who had 244 yards on 50 carries heading into this past Friday's game. "It was a surprise to me because honestly I didn't think it was going come that early but my coach warned me that it would come eventually."
Gray has also hauled in eight passes for 156 yards receiving, but credit for most his offers might have been his strong showing on the summer camp circuit. The Commodores were the first school to come through with an offer and Gray has already visited the nearby school.
"I've been there a few times and they've had their eye on me for a while," he said. "When they offered it was a shock for me. It's great to have offers already but I have to stay humble."
Gray attended Vanderbilt's season-opener against Ole Miss last month and said he came away impressed.
"I like the atmosphere there," he said. "It was a packed house. It gave me chills, the roaring of the fans and all of that."
With Tennessee the latest of the four schools to offer, Gray said he was "shocked" to hear from the Vols and hopes to visit soon.
Gray is already on the bigger side for a running back and if he continues to grow he might end up playing another position at the next level. He said he's open to moving positions if that's what it comes down to in the future.
"Honestly I want to play running back," Gray said. "But when I go to college and if the coaches want to move me to another position I'll play it. It's not my job to tell the coach how to do his job. I'll just be happy to be playing college football."