Matthew Gray '16 Recruiting Profile
Video
2015 Highlights
Midseason HighlightsVarsity SS/OLB Hi...2014 Season Highl...WK2 AndersonWK3 Charlotte LatinPersonal Statement
I will be entering my senior season this fall as a safety for the Carolina Pride. I am a driven student, and have maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout much of my high school career. Additionally, I am a member of the National Homeschool Honor Society and I have served as both treasurer and secretary of my local chapter.
I am fully committed to playing college football. I have had the dream of playing at that level since I was very young. I have had the privilege of playing football since sixth grade at various positions, but my love has always been defense. I love to hit and enforce my will on ball carriers. I have a football mind and am able to quickly diagnose plays. This is evidenced by my selection as Coach's Player of the Year my junior season and the nickname "Harvard" I was given in eighth grade.
I am making the transition back to safety after spending my junior season as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 system. However, my role as a linebacker had many similarities to safety. I often covered slot receivers and I defended the outside run. I spent my two years on junior varsity as a safety, so it is by no means foreign to me.
I am a hard worker and very committed to anything I do. My pet peeve is a non-committal attitude, so I often demand my teammates give the same amount of effort as I do during games and on the practice field. I am showing this commitment by working hard this offseason with coaches and trainers to improve both my strength and speed. As my coach often says, I will outwork anyone I line up against.
I am a leader both off and on the field. I served as team captain in eighth and tenth grade. I also do my best to mentor younger teammates as a positive influence in a difficult environment. I am involved in many community service projects with my honor society as well.
My goal is to have a successful college football career, graduate with a degree in sports management, and get a job in the NFL either as a front office employee, scout, or coach.
My ultimate goal is to glorify my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in everything I do.
Athletics
High School Information
- Years w/ Varsity
- 3 years
- Varsity Starter
- 2 years
- 2015 Varsity Team
- Starter- Jersey: #2
Individual Awards
- 1st Team All-Conference, Captain
Team Awards
- Conference 2nd Place
- 2014 Varsity Team
- Starter- Jersey: #55
Individual Awards
- 1st Team All-Conference, Coaches Award; Lettered
Team Awards
- Conference Chanmps, Sectional Chanmps
- 2013 Varsity Team
- Jersey: #20
- 2013 Junior Varsity Team
- Starter- Jersey: #20
- 2012 Junior Varsity Team
- Starter- Jersey: #95
Individual Awards
- JV Captain; Most Improved Defensive Player
Club Information
- Seasons of Club Experience
- 2 seasons
- 2011 Carmel Covenant Cats (Middle School)
- Finished 9-1. Regular Season Champions. Conference Runner-up. Team Captain.
- 2010 Carmel Covenant Cats (Middle School)
- 5-5. Served as seventh grade team captain.
Coach References
- High School Head Coach
- Paul Jackson
Events
- Camp/Event
- Diamond Britt All-American Game
- 12/29/15 to 1/02/16
- Camp/Event
- Davidson Friday Night Light Camps
- 6/26/15 to 6/26/15
- Camp/Event
- Guilford College
- 6/25/15 to 6/25/15
- Camp/Event
- FCA Team Football Camp
- 6/22/15 to 6/24/15
- 7 on 7 Scrimmages
- Camp/Event
- Ian Shields Summer Football Camp
- 6/20/15 to 6/20/15
- Camp/Event
- Davidson Friday Night Light Camps
- 6/17/15 to 6/17/15
- (This is a Wednesday night)
- Camp/Event
- Wingate University Camp
- 5/30/15 to 5/30/15
- Camp/Event
- Football University
- 5/22/15 to 5/24/15
- Camp/Event
- Football University
- 5/01/15 to 5/03/15
- Nominated by coach. Rated 3 out of 3 stars by former NFL defensive back Ray Buchanan. Rated as "Great" in leadership, coachability, play recognition, explosiveness, zone coverage, and press coverage.
Statistics
| Statistic | 2015 Varsity Team | 2014 Varsity Team | 2013 Varsity Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Games played | 7 | 10 | 5 |
| Assisted tackles | 30 | 32 | 9 |
| Pass break-ups | 6 | ||
| Recovered fumbles | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sacks | 0.5 | 6.5 | 2 |
| Solo tackles | 18 | 39 | 10 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 1 | |
| Tackles for a loss | 14 |
Academics
Grades
Test Scores
Academic Accomplishments
Are you in honor classes?
Yes. Dual enrolled at Central Piedmont Community College for High School and College Credit: Enrolled for Spring 2016 SPA-112 & 182 Elementary Spanish 2 and Lab ECO-251 Prin of Microeconomics Fall 2015- HIS-111 World Civilizations SPA-111 & 181 Elementary Spanish 1 and Lab SOC-210 Introduction to Sociology Spring 2015- MAT-172 Pre-calculus Trigonometry ENG-112 Writing Across the Disciplines COM-231 Public Speaking Fall 2014- MAT-171 Pre-calculus Algebra ENG-111 Writing & Inquiry Honors Classes in High School Composition 1 Composition 2 Ancient Literature Medieval Literature Philosophy/Theology Music History/Appreciation 1 Art History/Appreciation 1 & 2 Western Civilization Humanities American History World History American Government Political TheoryAre you in AP/IB classes?
NoRegistered with the NCAA Eligibility Center?
YesAwards and Activities
- AwardsNational Homeschool Honor Society Member Lambda Alpha Chapter Served as Treasurer for Lambda Alpha 2013-2014 Served as Secretary for Lambda Alpha 2014-2015, Christian Communicators of the SouthEast League(CCofSE): Qualified for STOA's National Invitational Tournament of Champions in team policy debate in Spring 2014. Numerous speech and debate awards over the past 4 years in CCofSE, Member of Math Honor Society at Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte NC since January 2015
- ActivitiesChick fil A - Indian Trail: April 2013-present Shift Leader: January 2016-present Area Leader: July 2014-January 2016, Shanan Speech and Debate Club: Team Policy Debate (2011-present) Impromptu Speech (2013-present), CYC Players: A Musical Theatre Troupe (2011-2013),Eagles Wings: A Musical Theatre Troupe (2013-2015), Carolina Youth Choir (2010-2013), Lambda Alpha Honor Society: 2012-present Over 35 community service hours earned with this club, Vortex Excelsior: Over 20 community service hours assisting a sister debate club, Hope Church: Over 160 community service hours earned over four years as volunteer church audio technician and set up crew.
Top NCSA Athletes at Carolina Pride
Top NCSA Athletes in Area
