Move could reshape Grays recruitment

Nobody will describe J.T. Gray as a chatterbox. At least in an interview setting, the three-star athlete is short. He answers questions bluntly and doesn't use a lot of window dressing on his words. It could be shyness or some other personality trait. The reasons for it are not really important. It's just the way he is.

So when asked about his recent move from Arizona to Mississippi, the details he offers are few.

"I'm going to live with my dad," Gray, who holds 13 scholarship offers, said by phone Thursday.

Fair enough. Gray's father lives in Clarksdale, Miss, leaving Gray to play his senior season at Clarksdale High School. But despite the move east, the coveted prospect says a team from the West Coast still leads his recruitment.

"USC is still my top school," Gray said. "They're at the top. They say they will be at one of my first two games"

Already living in Clarksdale, Gray is mostly focused on the upcoming season. That said, he hints that his move to Mississippi may help Ole Miss in the recruiting process. The Rebels will have to unseat the Trojans, sure, but that task may have just become a little less daunting.

"Ole Miss is No. 2 and Washington is the other one in my top 3," Gray said. "Ole Miss talks to me a lot. And being right here, it's easy to get to know the coaches and all that. They were happy that I was moving."

So what is it about USC that gives it the edge? As is standard, Gray doesn't go into much detail or provide many specifics. Whatever the case, he seems to be pretty set in his opinion.

"I just like the atmosphere at USC," he said. "I like everything around it and everything about it."

Gray has not set up dates as of yet but plans to take official visits to USC and Oregon this fall before making a verbal commitment sometime during his senior season at Clarksdale.

Gray is ranked as the No. 21 athlete in the country but most schools are recruiting him as a defensive back. He can play either cornerback or safety.