Texas record-setting running back
Johnathan Gray was selected Gatorade National Player of the Year it was announced this morning.
Johnathan Gray is on the third
Texan to rush for more than 10,000
career yards.
Photo by Jim Redman
Gray, who has led
Aledo (Texas) to two straight state crowns and is still alive for a third, has rushed 295 times for 3,435 yards (11.6 yards per carry) and 59 touchdowns in 14 games.
He joins former Lake Travis standout Garrett Gilbert (2008-09) as the only Texas products to win the national award. Gray was planning on joining Gilbert at Texas but on Wednesday, the school announced that Gilbert was given his unconditional release and will seek a transfer.
The 5-foot-10, 202-pound Gray is the No. 9 recruit in the country according to CBS/MaxPreps recruiting expert Tom Lemming.
Johnathan Gray and his Aledo
teammates are after their third
straight state title.
Photo by Jim Redman
Gray owns state records in career touchdowns, carries, 100-yard games and single-season rushing touchdowns.
He became the third prep athlete in state history to surpass 10,000 career rushing yards. He needs 50 points to tie the national prep career scoring record and five TDs to tie the national career touchdown mark.
Aledo (12-2) plays in the 4A Division II state semifinals Friday against
Corsicana.
Gray is the 26th Texas native, second only to California's 57, to claim Gatorade national honors in any of the award's 12 sports.
Beyond his exploits on the field, Gray was also recognized for his enormous volunteer work in the community and his academic excellence. See much more on
Gray here.
