Big Board ranking: #84

Positional ranking: #5

 

Overview

Position: LB

College: North Carolina

Class: Senior

Age: 21

 

Measurables

Height: 6’1 1/2″

Weight: 234 lbs.

Arm length: 32 1/2″

Hand size: 9”

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: 4.64 sec.

10-yard split: 1.59 sec.

Vertical jump: 35.5”

Broad jump: 120.0”

Bench press: 17 reps

3-cone drill: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

 

Strengths

Very good overall size and length. Exceptional speed. Great first-step quickness and acceleration. Excellent play strength. Embraces the physicality and aggression of the position. Uses his hands to engage with offensive linemen. Quick to shed. Impressive quickness and fluidity to get around blockers. Fights through traffic while keeping his eyes on the ball-carrier. Very good reach/range as a tackler. Strong and secure wrapping up. Effective in backside pursuit. Fluid changing direction and dealing with change of direction in space. Shows pre-play communication and chemistry with teammates. Very smooth moving around in coverage. Tremendous play recognition and awareness in zone coverage. Erases opportunities for open throws in the flat. Fast to chase and tackle underneath. Soft hands and excellent ability to reach up for interceptions from intermediate zone coverage. Great feel for blitzing if the running back stays in to protect or covering on delayed releases. Fast and aggressive into the backfield. Shows power to push opponents back as a rusher. Strikes with force when he gets to the quarterback. Was getting after and had 1.5 sacks versus South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler (2023).

 

Weaknesses

Play recognition and instincts aren’t as good versus the run. Will be a step slower anticipating and seeing things. Sometimes fills into a spot rather than trying to make the tackle for himself when the opportunity is there.

 

NFL comparison

Jordan Hicks

 

Conclusion

Overall, Gray is a smooth linebacker with playmaking ability in coverage and aggressiveness as a tackler. He should be a target for teams in the third round with the versatility to fill multiple roles as an off-ball linebacker.