Georgia RB/DB boosts stock at combine

One of the summer’s final combine events gave Atlanta (Ga.) Booker T. Washington running back/defensive back Isaiah Gay and opportunity to boost his stock tremendously.

Gay (5-10, 170, 4.4) participated in the MSL combine at Georgia Tech last Saturday and turned in one of the more impressive 40 times at 4.37.

“I was real happy with that,” he said. “Last year at this time, I was at 4.44, so all that hard work seems to be paying off. I think a lot of people will be watching me now.”

They already had been, although no scholarship offers had developed to date. Georgia, Georgia Tech, Alabama, Florida and Mississippi State have been showing Gay the most persistent interest.

“Florida talks like they’re going to offer,” he said. “The last time I got to talk to them, they said the staff was real high on me. Everyone else wants to see a couple of games this year.”

Gay rushed for 815 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior. He also excels as a kickoff and punt return specialist, but is talented enough to project at defensive back as well.

He said the Gators and Bulldogs are his current favorites.

“I really like Florida a lot,” he said. “They’ve got great tradition and a real nice campus atmosphere. I like their coaches. But if Georgia offered, too, it would be a really tough decision. I’ve been a fan of theirs, and it would be nice to play close to home. But right now, Florida seems a lot more interested.”

Georgia Tech is also in the running due to “being right here at home, plus I have a lot of friends there.”

Gay said he’s interested in both Alabama and Mississippi State, but doesn’t know enough about their programs at this point. “They’ve called, but I need to learn some more about them, maybe try to visit sometime.”

Academically, he maintains a 3.2 GPA and is preparing to take his test next month.