Bulldogs, J.T. Gray, Make the Call

Good news kept coming in on Sunday as Clarksdale three-star safety J.T. Gray made his long-awaited commitment to Mississippi State. The Mississippi All-Star was on the outside looking in trying to get into the class with numbers tight, but the Bulldogs found a way as the defender was simply too good to pass up.

"It was pretty easy making that decision," Gray said. "I was just going to go up there and talk to the players and see how hard they work and what they put in to make sure it was right for me."

In the end, Gray knew where he wanted to be. One of the top 15 players in the state made his pledge to MSU after being a heavy Bulldog lean for some time. Dan Mullen built a relationship with Gray and the coach was sold by assistant Deshea Townsend.

"Coach Mullen and coach Townsend are the biggest reasons I'm coming," Gray said. "I like the commitment to family that the staff has and the hard work that everybody puts in. I've had an offer from them since my junior year. Coach Mullen just wanted me to come up there and make it official this weekend."

The weekend was more than Gray to expect as he built relationships with all of his future teammates including a fellow defensive back in Will Redmond.

"I loved everything about it," Gray said of his visit. "Hanging out with players and my host was pretty fun. Will Redmond showed me around and he's one of State's top corners so we hit it off. We hung out at the apartments and had fun talking about football and stuff. I'm looking forward to playing defense with him."

Now that Gray is on board, the question is what position he will play. Brought in as an athlete, Gray can play all over the secondary as he starred this year at safety. He's willing to go wherever they tell him.

"It really don't matter where I play just wherever they want me and the best place I fit it," Gray said of his future position. "The hard work they put in on and off the field and the early mornings up there practicing is one of the main reasons I chose them. I'm just ready to get to work now."