Landing in-state star RB Eric Gray is a great sign for Jeremy Pruitt, Tennessee recruiting

Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt was a bit coy on the first day of the Early Signing Period. However, he gave enough of a hint to think another signee was on the way. That was indeed the case.

Thursday, Eric Gray picked the Vols over several other scholarship offers. His finalists were UT, Ole Miss and South Carolina.

Securing the 4-star running back from Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, Tenn., is significant in several ways. First, the Vols might finally have a game-changing tailback on their roster if Gray’s recruiting standing is any indication of what he’ll do in college. The Vols had an average stable of dependable tailbacks last season, but Gray should be an upgrade.

The 5-10, 193-pound Gray was a 2-time Gatorade Player of the Year in Tennessee and the state’s first three-time Mr. Football Award winner. Gray is ranked the No. 171 overall prospect and No. 4 all-purpose back by 247Sports Composite ranking. However, there are many more reasons than just his recruiting ranking for UT fans to get excited.

Lausanne 4-star RB Eric Gray will play college football at Tennessee.

Chooses UT over Memphis, Michigan, Ole Miss and South Carolina. Gray holds the TN high school state record with 138 total TDS. pic.twitter.com/oggwOQJWbo

— Sudu (@sudu_tv) December 20, 2018

Winning a battle in Memphis is no easy feat, especially with Ole Miss in the mix. The Rebels have regularly won battles against the Vols in the Bluff City. They weren’t able to do so this time. The Vols were also able to fend off the Gamecocks, who have been playing at a higher level than UT lately.

Some might say that there is no great achievement in securing an in-state prospect. Those people would be wrong. With so many football powers closer to Memphis than UT, there’s very little in-state loyalty in Memphis. It has been that way for years and it won’t likely change. However, Pruitt won the battle this time. He also beat an elite program in landing Gray, who had been committed to Michigan for five months.

Pruitt did all that without an offensive coordinator. That makes Gray’s signing even more impressive. Gray agreed to Pruitt’s sales pitch without knowing who will head up UT’s offense or what direction it will actually go. I’m sure Pruitt gave Gray an idea as to what the Vols are planning to do when they have the ball, but there’s no guarantee in that.

Gray could have easily decided to wait until UT hires an offensive coordinator. There is no rule stating that he had to sign this week. He could have waited until the traditional signing day in February. He chose not to.

By Gray signing now, the Vols will go into the final six weeks of recruiting with strong momentum. Gray is the type of playmaker who can get other prospects to take notice. He’s also the kind of prospect who should be able to recruit other Memphis-area standouts to UT.

That makes one wonder if another early signing could be in the works. The Vols are still waiting on four commitments who are all planning to sign in February: 4-star safety Anthony Harris from Havelock (N.C.) High School, 4-star linebacker Lakia Henry from Dodge City (Kan.) Community College, 3-star defensive tackle LeDarrius Cox from McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile, Ala. and defensive end/linebacker Jalil Clemons from Starkville (Miss.) High School. There could also be a prospect in the works who hasn’t been publicized.

It seems unlikely that any of those four would move up their signings to Friday, the final day of Early Signing Period. However, Gray’s decision to sign now can only help the Vols sign the four and whoever else they are recruiting.

Cover photo via @Vol_Football

Dave Hooker

Dave Hooker started covering Tennessee in 1998. He hosts an SEC radio show out of Chattanooga and covers the SEC for Saturday Down South.