McCray drawing plenty of interest

Trotwood-Madison (Ohio) junior linebacker Mike McCray will watch his classmate, five-star cornerback Cameron Burrows, announce his commitment on Thursday, but the 6-4, 230-pound McCray also has plenty of reason to celebrate because his own recruitment is beginning to take off.

Recent offers from Boston College and Kentucky have joined previous tenders from Tennessee, Purdue, Illinois, Syracuse and Toledo, giving McCray a total of seven scholarship offers to date.

McCray is just starting his relationship with the coaches at Kentucky and Boston College, but two programs that he already has well-established relationships with are Purdue and Tennessee.

"I got close to Coach Peter Sirmon [at Tennessee], but he left and went to Washington," McCray said. "I also got close to the head coach. They are real cool guys and good people to talk to.

"I went to a Purdue game and met most of their coaches. It is a nice campus and a winning program. They told me I would have a chance to play as a freshman."

Another school McCray has close ties with is Ohio State because his father, Michael McCray Sr., is a former Buckeye's player. The younger McCray has been in steady contact with the Ohio State coaches since the start of his recruitment.

"They like me a lot, they just need to evaluate me more is what they said," McCray said. "I sent them my highlight tape and they said they'd watch it, so I just have to wait."

McCray has time to wait on Ohio State and the other schools still evaluating his film, but showing interest - a list that includes Michigan State, Virginia and Notre Dame. McCray is in no rush to decide on his college destination

"I've just been focusing on school and will have to talk to my coach about it," McCray said. "I've narrowed it down to either right before the season starts or during the season."

McCray was a two-way star for the Division 2 state champions this past fall. At middle linebacker he led the team with 86 tackles, recorded five interceptions, including three he returned for touchdown, caused three fumbles and registered two sacks. At tight end he caught 28 passes for over 500 yards and 12 touchdowns.

This spring McCray will be playing with Trotwood-Madison's baseball team, but he also plans to spend ample time in the weight room preparing for his senior season.