Tag: Don Key

Eric Gray on his way to the Big Apple after being selected by the New York Giants

Oklahoma’s Eric Gray is headed to the Big Apple after being selected by the New York Giants in the 2023 NFL draft.

After having two Sooners off the board on Friday night, Oklahoma finally sees their first Sooner off the board on Saturday as running back Eric Gray will head to the northeast and join the New York Giants.

Gray was taken in the fifth round with pick No. 172.

The New York Giants took a step forward this year behind first-year head coach Brian Daboll. Daboll earned his stripes helping transform Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense into a machine over the last few years.

He entered the facility light on playmakers, aside from former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley, one of the league’s most gifted athletes, has struggled with injuries since coming into the NFL. While he put together a relatively healthy year culminating in a Giants playoff berth, Eric Gray’s provides significant value to the Giants roster.

 

Gray offers insurance in the event of an injury or Barkley’s contract negotiations stall. New York gave their star running back the franchise tag, but the two sides have until mid-July to work out an extension. Otherwise they’ll do the dance again in the 2024 offseason.

Gray’s effortless-looking running style provided the catalyst for a breakout season in 2022.

He ran for 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 229 receiving yards on 33 catches. Gray was arguably Oklahoma’s best player on the offense. For his efforts, he earned first-team All-Big 12 recognition from PFF and was an All-Big 12 second-team selection by league coaches and the Associated Press.

Gray earned Academic All-Big 12 first-team honors while being one of three recipients of the program’s coveted Don Key Award (presented for excellence on and off the field).

Gray’s final season in Norman was a marked improvement from his first year where he struggled to establish himself behind running back Kennedy Brooks. The numbers and production weren’t there, but a full offseason working with running backs coach DeMarco Murray and more opportunities gave him the runway to take off. Now he’s taking his talents to the next level with the New York Giants.

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