The 2017 Alabama football recruiting class is perhaps one of the best-recruiting classes of the Nick Saban era. It has produced eight first-round drafts picks and three late-round picks or undrafted free agents.
One of the headliners from this class is back for another season in senior defensive lineman LaBryan Ray. Ray was a consensus five-star prospect from James Clemens High School in Madison, Ala.
Ray’s career has been injury-riddled almost ever since he stepped on campus in Tuscaloosa. In his freshman campaign, Ray suffered a foot injury which limited his playing action to just six games.
His sophomore season showed flashes of his five-star talent. In a backup role, Ray amassed 39 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
Once again the injury bug hit Ray in his junior season in which he missed most of with yet another lower leg injury. In his shortened season he made just two tackles.
Ray entered the 2020 COVID season as a redshirt junior and was primed for a breakout performance. In the preseason he was selected for the Outland Trophy Watch List and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List respectfully until once again, the injuries began to pile up.
Ray now enters his fifth year at the Capstone and hopes to have all his injuries behind him. Aside from his on-the-field production, Ray is hoping to have a much greater impact this fall as one of the leaders on the team. In his spring presser, Ray mentioned the importance of him becoming more of a leader. Ray said, “I think now it’s that time to take it to the next level and be the leader that I should be.”
It remains to be seen if Ray can stay healthy. If he can, look for him to have a major impact both on and off the field.
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