FSU, Tennessee coming hard after 2017 4-star

Class of 2016 LaVergne, Tenn. athlete Maleik Gray is already ranked as one of the top prospects in the nation and he's been getting the recruiting attention to go with it. With offers from schools all over the country on his list, Gray will have plenty of options from which to choose.

However, he said two schools -- Florida State and Tennessee -- continue to make the strongest push for his services.

"Earlier in the year Florida State stopped by to see me a couple of times and of course they'll back this spring," Gray said. "Tennessee has been coming by a lot. They can't really talk to me because of the rules but they're still both showing me a lot of love.

Gray has been high on the Seminoles for quite sometime now, citing his relationship with fellow Nashville area native Jalen Ramsey as one of the main reasons.

"I still like them quite a bit," he said. "They're just showing me a lot of love and letting me know that even though I might get the big hype that they want me more than anyone. They just tell me to keep working and keep getting better."

As far as the Vols, it's clear they've also made Gray a priority.

"They keep showing me a lot of love and telling me how bad they want me," Gray said. "I talk to Coach Thigpen and Coach Martinez and they think they could develop me into an outside linebacker because that's where I play now on my high school team. I like the position but other schools like me at safety, some at wide receiver, it just depends."

Gray said both schools are on his long list of programs that will get visits soon.

"I want to get down to Tallahassee for a visit again soon and I will get to Tennessee, too," he said. "I was playing basketball and stuff but now that stuff is all over and I'm back in football mode."