Scouting Reports - RB Eric Gray

[MightyGiants]

NFL.com

Player Bio
A four-star and top 100 overall recruit, Gray was a big get for the Tennessee Volunteers as a three-time Tennessee Titans Mr. Football at Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, rushing for 7,901 yards in three seasons. He led the Volunteers in 2019 with four rushing touchdowns in 13 games as a reserve (101-539-5.3; 13-115-8.9, one TD receiving), and he racked up 120 all-purpose yards and scored a game-winning 16-yard touchdown run en route to being named the 2020 TaxSlayer Bowl MVP. As a sophomore, Gray topped the squad in rushing yards and tied for the team lead in total touchdowns (157-772-4.9, four TD rushing; 30-254-8.5, two TD receiving; 5-35-7.0 punt returns in nine games, five starts). He transferred from Tennessee to Oklahoma for the 2021 season and started six of 13 games played (78-412-5.3, two TD rushing; 23-229-10.0, two TD receiving; 4-72-18.0 kick returns). Gray got his chance to shine as a senior, garnering second-team All-Big 12 Conference accolades as the team's leading rusher (213-1,366-6.4, 11 TD; also 33-229-6.9 receiving in 12 starts). He opted out of the team's bowl game to prepare for the draft. He's not the first running back in his family as his father, Eric, played the position at Tennessee State and his uncle, Maurice Hall, at Ohio State. -- by Chad Reuter

Overview
Decisive, creative runner with the size and skill set for three-down consideration on the pro level. Gray won't be a home run hitter in the open field, but his short-area burst and oily hips open access to the entire field, with cuts coming suddenly and at unpredictable angles. He's a less powerful finisher than his size might indicate and needs to keep from spilling runs wide unnecessarily. He is a reliable threat out of the backfield with soft hands and a willingness to block. Gray has the potential to find work quickly as a three-down backup with future starter potential.

Strengths
Decisive, with instant acceleration.
Skip steps generate early rhythm.
Jabs and cuts at sharp angles without losing speed.
Above average spatial awareness and elusiveness inside.
Loose lower half creates access to more of the field in space.
Burst and wiggle optimize chunk-run opportunities.
Effective route runner with soft hands.
Willing to step into contact with downhill blitzers.

Weaknesses
Unable to drive through first-level contact.
Inconsistent forcing linebacker flow on stretch plays.
Pursuit able to rally and tackle him when the run spills wide.
Lacks top-end breakaway speed for home runs.
Needs to keep runs downhill a little more often.
Inconsistent to widen out and stay in front of blitzer.

SCOUTING REPORT
By The 33rd Team

Positives:
Patience to press the hole and hit it to get to the second level.
Excellent second-level vision and dead leg juke to avoid defenders when they close on him.
Shows toughness to take shots and get right back the next play
Above average anchor in pass protection against bigger-bodied defenders.
Very reliable receiver on screens and checkdowns.

Negatives:
Runs a little higher at times than you would expect given his compact stature and takes too many shots in the process.
Relies too heavily on spin moves when play doesn't warrant it.
Lacks juice when he hits the second level of the defense.
Lots of mileage already on his tires which creates a discussion around his longevity.

Bottom Line:
Gray runs higher than you would expect given his compact stature. He has an excellent dead leg move to juke defenders, especially at the second and third levels of the defense. He doesn't have great lateral quickness or dynamic burst. He is a tough runner who is going to keep churning his legs on contact. He will take some shots and get right back up, would like to see him pull through more tackles.

Gray is a decisive runner but lacks juice when he hits the second level. He loves the spin move, maybe a little too much turning his back to the defense when it is unnecessary. While he is a good inside runner, he appears to press outside too often when he gets to stick his foot in the ground and gets vertical to take advantage of horizontally stretched defenses. He has some pop and anchor in pass protection. He has reliable hands out of the backfield on check downs and flare screens.

Gray isn't going to waste time dancing, he is going to get upfield. Gray has been an extremely productive college running back who already has a lot of miles on him. He has some value as a mid to late-round pick who can do a little bit of everything and be productive in a rotation or even lean on him for a game or two if you have to.


Pro Comparison: Mike Weber (3-year Veteran, 7th Round Draft Pick in the 2019 NFL Draft)

SCOUTING REPORT
By Greg Cosell

Background:
Gray played his final two seasons at Oklahoma after transferring from Tennessee, where he began his college career and played two seasons after coming out of Memphis as a 4-star recruit. Gray had an outstanding 2022 season at Oklahoma: 213-1366-6.4-11 TD with 33 receptions for 229 yards.

Gray was featured in both zone and gap-scheme concepts in the Oklahoma run game, with 201 of his 213 carries coming out of the shotgun. In Oklahoma's last 6 games of the 2022 season, Gray had 20 or more carries in each game.



Positives:
Showed short-area burst through the POA in the zone run game; Patient yet decisive in his change of speed.
Desirable combination of patient and decisive; Showed excellent feel for zone and gap-scheme run games.
Instant accelerator when he saw the hole; Explosive through first level of defense; You can see the gear change.
Shifty and elusive, with the lateral quickness, juice, balance and body control to string moves together.
Darting, slashing feel to his running style. Made sharp, sudden, decisive cuts at speed at second and third levels.
Made defenders miss in space at second third levels of defense. Stuck his foot in the ground with sudden cuts.
Lowered pad level to take on, and run through, contact at second and third levels of defense; Ran with velocity.
Showed the change of direction burst with accelerating speed to bounce outside and out-flank the defense.

Negatives:
Lacks top end breakaway speed to take it to the house; Not a home run hitter or individual play game-changer.

Bottom Line:
Gray is one of the best overall running back prospects in the 2023 NFL draft, with his desirable combination of traits for the position. He was featured almost exclusively as a shotgun runner in Oklahoma's offense, and he showed a refined feel for the zone and gap-scheme run games, with a nuanced mix of patience and decisiveness.

Gray showed outstanding short-area burst with instant acceleration through the first level of the defense, followed by a slashing, darting style that featured subtle but decisive cuts and change of direction without losing velocity or speed. He also showed excellent vision at the second and third levels of the defense, with innate awareness of where defenders were coming from and the balance and body control to make sudden cuts to open space.

Gray has the traits of a three-down back with his receiving ability and his willingness to step into contact as a pass protector.

The more I watched Gray, the more I liked him, and I thought there were some similarities to Miles Sanders coming out of Penn State in 2019 (although Sanders was more vertically explosive) and Cam Akers coming out of Florida State in 2020. It would not surprise me if Gray, in the right scheme, became a three-down back with his size and overall traits.

McGinn

11. ERIC GRAY, Oklahoma (5-9 ½, 205, 4.62, 4-5): After two seasons at Tennessee, he departed along with disgraced coach Jeremy Pruitt and wound up in Norman. "Nice little player," one scout said. "This guy runs hard. Decisive one-cut guy. He maxes out all the talent that he has. Really good out of the backfield. Catches really well." Ran a disappointing 40. Did post the fastest short shuttle (4.10) at the position. "One of the best make-miss guys in the draft," a second scout said. "Three-down guy." Started 24 of 47 games for the Volunteers and Sooners, finishing with 549 carries for 3,089 (5.6) and 21 TDs plus 99 receptions and five TDs. "I don't know if there's anything special about him other than maybe who he is, which is a high-level person," said a third scout. "Just a good all-around player. He certainly will maximize everything he has." From Memphis. "Doesn't have a tremendous amount of talent," a fourth scout said. "He's tough. Protects the ball. Not a home-run guy. Not a match-up issue as a receiver. He's fourth round if you like him, fifth if you're a realist. You'll definitely hit the home run on his makeup." Wonderlic of 23 paced the top 14 backs.

Draft Bible

GRAY, ERIC | Oklahoma | RB | #0 | Sr | 5094 | 207 | 4.62 | Memphis, TN | 11.04.99 (23.10) | Rd6
Evaluation: Scheme versatile, three-down running back with stellar vision, manipulation and athletic ability to make
efficient cuts to knife through defenses but his narrow frame, subpar contact balance and long speed will limit his
ceiling. Gray possesses scheme diversity on his resume, displaying the patience and cutback prowess needed for zone
schemes and the quick decision making, plus ability to get skinny between the tackles for gap/power schemes. Gray
excels with the mental aspect of the position, displaying the vision and processing necessary to make split-second
decisions and choose the correct hole. If a lane isn't there, however, Gray knows exactly how to press the line and
manipulate linebackers in the wrong direction and create his own pathway, then show off his burst into open space.
Gray has the ideal short-area acceleration to excel in the 5-15-yard areas of the field which combined with his cat-like
agility allows him to easily defeat pursuit angles. He's valuable in the passing game too, a hands catcher at heart and
with the ball in his hands gets yards after the catch. Gray shows flashes of good effort and technique as a blocker -
creating displacement at the point of attack with chip blocks and also good processing of blitzers up the middle with the
low pad level to engage and redirect away from the quarterback. Physically, Gray has a narrow frame that is in need of
added bulk which may limit him to a third down role early in his career.
Background: Invited to NFL Combine. Measured 9.5-inch hand, 29.5-inch arm. Father Eric Gray Sr. played running back
at Tennessee State and was his son's running back coach. His uncle, Maurice Hall, also played running back at Ohio
State. A four-star recruit and three-time Tennessee Mr. Football (2016, 2017, 2018). Repped by Wasserman Sports.

Brugler

11. ERIC GRAY | Oklahoma 5094 | 207 lbs. | 4SR Memphis, Tenn. (Lausanne) 11/4/1999 (age 23.48) #0
BACKGROUND: Eric Gray Jr. grew up in Memphis and started playing youth football at age 4 (his mother, Sharone, was the director of the league). He played
quarterback throughout his childhood before transitioning to running back for high school. Gray attended Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, where he was a
four-year letterman on varsity. He became the starting running back as a sophomore and rushed for 2,251 yards and 38 touchdowns, helping Lausanne to the 2016
state championship and winning Tennessee Mr. Football honors. Gray led the team to back-to-back Division II-AA state titles as a junior as he had his most productive
season with 3,151 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns. He planned to transfer to IMG Academy for his senior season but returned to Lausanne, where he won
Tennessee Mr. Football honors for the third consecutive year (only player to do so) and Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive
year. Gray was named a U.S. Army All-American and finished his final season with 2,499 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns. Lausanne enjoyed a 46-4 record in his four
varsity seasons, and Gray set a state record with 138 career touchdowns. He also ran track (sprinter) his first three seasons in high school, setting career bests in the
100 meters (11.32) and 200 meters (23.94).
A four-star recruit, Gray was the No. 3 all-purpose back in the 2019 recruiting class and the No. 5 recruit in Tennessee (No. 1 running back in the state). He was heavily
recruited by every SEC program but developed a connection with Jim Harbaugh and committed to Michigan the July prior to his senior season. However, the distance
was an issue, and Gray decommitted a few weeks before signing day. He had a final five of Memphis, Michigan, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Tennessee and decided
to stay close to home, graduating early and enrolling in Knoxville in January 2019. After head coach Jeremy Pruitt was fired in January 2021, Gray entered the transfer
portal and committed to Oklahoma, where he spent his final two seasons. His father (Eric Sr.) played running back at Tennessee State (1985-87) and was the running
back coach at Lausanne. Eric's uncle (Maurice Hall) won a national championship as a running back at Ohio State (2001-04). Gray graduated with his degree in
multidisciplinary studies. He opted out of the 2022 bowl game and accepted his invitation to the 2023 Senior Bowl (was voted the American team's practice player of
the week at running back).
YEAR (GP/GS) CAR YDS AVG TD REC YDS AVG TD NOTES
2019: (13/1) 101 539 5.3 4 13 115 8.8 1 Tennessee; Led team in rush TDs; Bowl Game MVP; Enrolled in January 2019
2020: (9/5) 157 772 4.9 4 30 254 8.5 2 Tennessee; Led team in rushing
2021: (13/6) 78 412 5.3 2 23 229 10.0 2 Oklahoma; Started first five games before Kennedy Brooks took over as the starter
2022: (12/12) 213 1,366 6.4 11 33 229 6.9 0 Oklahoma; Second Team All-Big 12; Led team in rushing; Pass INT; Led Big 12 in yards/rush
Total: (47/24) 549 3,089 5.6 21 99 827 8.4 5
HT WT ARM HAND WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP
COMBINE 5094 207 29 5/8 9 3/4 71 3/8 - - - 37 1/2 9'10" - - - (no runs, shuttle, 3-cone, bench – choice)
PRO DAY 5091 205 30 3/8 9 3/4 72 4.62 2.64 1.55 - - 4.10 7.17 12 (stood on Combine jumps)
STRENGTHS: Runs low to the ground with a compact lower body ... controlled footwork and fluid hips for crisp cutting ... drops his hips to bounce laterally and make
defenders miss in a phone booth or open space ... runs with bend and balance to keep his footing through tackle attempts ... patiently reads blocks and tempos his
runs to keep linebackers from squaring him up ... has a sense for when to mash the gas or slow play his pace for better options ... hunts for extra-base hits and
averaged a first-down every 2.7 carries as a senior ... effective screen target, adjusting to throws and catching well in stride (zero drops on 40 targets in 2022) ... not
shy sticking his face in and picking up blitzers as a blocker ... coaches rave about his football character and toughness to play through minor injuries ... productive
senior season, ranking top 15 in the FBS in rushing yards per game.
WEAKNESSES: Runs with nondescript power between the tackles ... lacks lower-the-shoulder strength in short yardage ... quicker than fast and lacks a legitimate
home run gear ... doesn't consistently win foot races to the corner ... requires a moment to get racing again after he gears down ... more of a screen receiver than
developed route runner ... flashes feistiness as a pass blocker, but his smaller frame will limit his success rate vs. NFL size ... room to clean up his ball security (five
career fumbles) ... doesn't bring any special teams experience with him.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Oklahoma, Gray was the lead back in offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby's up-tempo, RPO-based scheme. After teasing his talented
skill set at Tennessee and first season at Oklahoma, he put together a career year as a senior, leading the Big 12 in rushing yards per carry (6.4) and ranking second in
rushing yards per game (113.7). Gray is quick to gather, plant and burst with the explosive cutting skills to shake defenders and pick up chunk yardage (his 44 carries
of 10-plus yards in 2022 ranked No. 7 in the FBS). Although he isn't an inside grinder, he stays behind his pads with the low center of gravity and pacing that help him
pinball off contact. Overall, Gray has only average speed and run power, but he is a balanced, agile runner with darting quickness and steady pass-catching skills.
His play style is similar to Clyde Edwards-Helaire and he should be a productive change of pace/passing-down back in the NFL.
GRADE: 3rd-4th Round

Rotoworld

ERIC GRAY
RB, NEW YORK GIANTS
Giants selected Oklahoma RB Eric Gray with the No. 172 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Gray (5'10/207) broke out as a sophomore at Tennessee with over 1,000 yards from scrimmage on 157 carries and 30 catches. He then transferred to Oklahoma and was relegated to backup duties for a year until reclaiming a starting role in 2022. Gray ran for 1,366 yards and 11 scores on 213 carries while adding another 229 yards on 33 catches. The former Sooner is incredibly shifty but doesn't show much power when challenged by defenders. He may need to be paired with a bigger back in the NFL, but Gray could emerge as a starting running back down the road.

Apr 29, 2023, 3:20 PM ET

SIS

Gray has the elusiveness and playmaking ability as both a runner and receiver to be a strong contributor at the next level, though a lack of power and true breakaway speed may limit his ability to be a 3-down starter.

Scouting by
Nathan Cooper
Scouting Report
Overall
Eric Gray is a running back in Oklahoma's up-tempo, RPO-heavy offense that runs a balanced mix of zone and gap schemes. He played in 47 games during his collegiate career. That career was split between Tennessee (2019-20) and Oklahoma (2021-22). Gray underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason following his freshman year, but it didn't result in any missed games. He's a good athlete who has adequate speed and solid elusiveness. He runs tough, competing for every single yard.

Pass Game
As a receiver, Gray shows very good hands and receiving ability. It's rare to see him drop a pass. He can haul in nearly everything on his frame, and can even bring in a fair amount with adjustment. He can run the entire RB route tree and also run some routes out in the formation. He can rack up yards after the catch, converting into a runner after making the grab and using his elusiveness to make defenders miss. In pass pro, Gray is smart and knows where to be and who to attack. However, he can be a little out of control at times, just throwing a shoulder into the rusher. Additionally, his anchor ability when facing up rushers can be hit and miss. The main thing is that he is willing and not afraid to block and he's got the traits to improve and be a strong player in this area.

Run Game
In the run game, Gray is a slashing runner who likes to get upfield in a hurry. He shows adequate overall vision to find holes, and while he can find success in zone-running schemes, he seems to be more effective and efficient when he's able to follow a blocker. While in Norman, he ran a balanced mix of zone and gap, but even when not a true gap scheme, they still ran a lot of TE insert that gave him a lead blocker the majority of the time. Although he wants to get upfield quickly, he does show some patience to wait for and cut off of his blocker. Gray runs with a low center of gravity which allows him to break off of would-be tacklers. However, when he's too narrow, he can go down rather easily when contacted. His feet can get a little ahead of his eyes sometimes, but this can allow him to make defenders miss and fly by, giving him the opportunity to gain extra yards in chunks. He loves his spin move, spinning upon contact and forcing a miss. When he jukes, he sets up defenders with an early juke. When he waits until the last minute, he doesn't have enough wiggle to always force the missed tackle. He's not a back who will run over defenders and lacks power to really deliver a blow, but he's not afraid to lower his shoulder and will easily run through most arm tackles. Gray can break off some long runs from time to time, but he doesn't have true breakaway speed. He plays like he knows it, because he will try to set up defenders to make a move on them instead of trying to take a straight line down the field.

Last Word
Gray projects as a backup running back who can be a difference maker on 3rd downs. He can play in any scheme, but will be more effective when given a blocker that he can cut off of. His receiving ability and strong traits in pass pro make him a threat on 3rd down. Giving him the entire RB route tree to work with out of the backfield should allow him to be a mismatch with a good amount of NFL Mikes. He can contribute on some special teams units, but his running style projects to being a strong kick returner at the next level.

[Bob In PA]

THE GOOD NEWS:

Great elusiveness - he'll make the first defender miss in the open field.
Good vision - always picks the right hole whether as part of play design or if open-field improvising.
Excellent receiver - operates well in the ENTIRE passing game.
Routes - above average route runner for the position.
Threat - want him on the field as much as possible; a true threat.

THE BAD NEWS:

Power - doesn't power through contact; feet tend to stop on contact with a defender.
Pass Protection - inconsistent technique; is able to improve with good coaching (footwork and hand placement).

Bob

PS. Best running back still available, IMO.

[Section 101 Steve]

Nice info MG

[ViewFromSection129]

Seems like a pretty solid pick for the end of the fifth round

[MightyGiants]

[ViewFromSection129]

CBS Sports guy just said his style reminds him of.... Tiki Barber

[BluesCruz]

CBS Sports guy just said his style reminds him of.... Tiki Barber

LOL. I just called him Tiki Barber II on another post stream
Great minds think alike

This guy cuts way better than Tiki did though......his change of direction is incredible

Tiki was able to become a "HOF" type runner by going to a private trainer off season and build his legs to the point of squatting 1000 lbs in his regular workouts

TIKI had legs like oak trees.....then he was able to break tackles with ease

Tiki needs to mentor Gray and introduce him to his trainer at his Hawthorne store front gym if Joe is still available