Offensive Center Loves USC

Junior to Watch: Mark Gray

School: Los Angeles (Calif.) Loyola

Position: Offensive Center/Defensive Tackle

Size and Speed: Gray stands 6-foot-3, weighs 281 pounds and runs the 40 in 5.1. Gary has an outstanding work ethic and he never missies a workout. His bench is 425 pounds, squat is 675, power clean 290 and he has recorded a 25-inch vertical jump.

Honors: Selected all-state underclassmen as a junior. Gray would have been all-league but he missed two key league games in arguably the toughest league top-to-bottom in CIF division I. How tough was Loyola’s league? Everyone in the league made the playoffs.

Statistics: N/A.

Favorite Colleges: Gray is getting recruiting letters from the likes of USC, UCLA, Oregon, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Nebraska and Notre Dame.

Skinny: Gray is a true center prospect and will come to a team ready to play one of the most important positions along the offensive line. That Gray is an outstanding center helps his recruitment a lot. It also helps his status as a recruit that he has that mean, aggressive attitude that colleges are fond of in their offensive linemen.

Gray already has an advanced knowledge of the game and has excellent blocking technique. He just as good a pass as he is a run blocker. Gray plays low and uses his body very well. He also has very quick feet. Another sought after attribute for an offensive center.

Gray has an outstanding work ethic and even though he is technically sound, he is working hard on enhancing and developing his skills further.

Gray will show up at the Nike Camp that is being held today (May 6th) at USC (3:00 PM) and he may attend the USC four day camp next month.

What is Gray looking for in a college?

“Education is first and foremost,” Gray said. “Then a college with a good coaching staff that will help me develop as a player.”

“USC is my favorite,” Gray said. “If the Trojans offered me a scholarship I wouldn’t even have to think about it. My recruitment would be over.”

Gray plays for one of the best coached programs in Los Angeles. Loyola always finds a way to win and they always seem to have a tough schedule.

During Gray’s junior season Loyola was 9-3 and made it to the semi-finals in SS CIF Division I play. Their three losses came at the hands of Mater Dei, Saint John Bosco and Los Alamitos.

Both Mater Dei and Bosco were league games that Gray missed due to injuries. All three schools went deep into the playoffs.

The SS CIF Division I championship game was Los Alamitos vs. Mater Dei.

When your team lands a Loyola player you get a well coached disciplined player.