7. Eric Gray, RB
Despite being held out of spring practices due to offseason surgery, Eric Gray doesn’t look all that far behind this fall. In fact, buzz around campus has been that Gray looks like a bonafide playmaker who could make some noise in Jim Chaney’s offense.
The three-time Mr. Football award winner out of Memphis isn’t higher on this list only because he has a pretty solid group of running backs ahead of him on the depth chart right now. Junior Ty Chandler figures to be a major piece in UT’s offensive game plan this year, and junior Tim Jordan is the perfect complementary back to Chandler. Then there’s sophomore Jeremy Banks, who has plenty of potential as a bruising back with plenty of power as long as he can stop his fumbling issues from his freshman season. Even senior Carlin Fils-aime will likely get some touches and have a role out of the backfield.
Still, Gray has a type of explosiveness and shiftiness that not even Chandler possesses, and he’s the kind of weapon that Chaney can have a lot of fun with. Gray can not only run between the tackles, but he’s dangerous in the flat and should be a viable option as a pass catcher as well.
Even if he doesn’t light the world on fire, Gray will still see the field as a true freshman and will have plays designed for him. He’ll have an impact, one way or another.
