CHARLOTTE, N.C. — J.T. Gray’s young career has seen some highs.
Last season, the Mississippi State linebacker was named to the All-Southeastern Conference Freshman team after playing in six games. This season, Gray has bounced back from the injuries that limited him as a freshman and has played in all 12 games.
At 2:30 p.m. Wednesday (ESPN), Gray could earn his first start in a bowl game when MSU (8-4) takes on North Carolina State (7-5) in the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium.
“I’ve been thinking about it,” Gray said. “It’s really surprising. I’ve just got to buckle down and get ready.”
Senior starter Zach Jackson left the team the week of the Egg Bowl against Ole Miss to pursue other opportunities. The Bulldogs started three safeties in that game, so Gray didn’t start. The Bulldogs could start three safeties against the Wolfpack, but if not, Gray will get the nod.
MSU had nine practices on campus before the team left for Christmas break. The Bulldogs arrived in Charlotte on Saturday and have practiced three times. With the chance of earning more playing time, Gray said he has taken a different approach at practice.
“(I’ve) just focused on my mental reps when I’m not in,” Gray said. “When I get in, I’m real focused. I’ve been getting into my playbook more and more.”
Gray was rated a three-star prospect — 20th best prospect in the state of Mississippi by ESPN — coming out of Clarksdale High School. Last season, he played mainly on special teams and had nine tackles.
MSU coach Dan Mullen said playing as a freshman can lead to a difficult transition into a sophomore campaign for many players.
“You’re kind of out there as an athlete making plays sometimes as a freshman,” Mullen said. “Now you’re really starting to understand the game and what’s going on as part of the game. That can slow you down sometimes, but I thought throughout the year he’s (Gray) done a good job. He still plays fast and makes plays.”
This season, Gray has 56 tackles (two-and-a-half for loss) and half a sack. He was listed as Jackson’s backup all season.
Gray said he gained confidence as a freshman and grew more comfortable with speed of the game.
“I just took the atmosphere, the awe and how fast the game speed is,” Gray said of what he learned as a freshman. “I took that into consideration and put that into my playing style this year.”
As a freshman Gray played under defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Geoff Collins, but Collins left last December to take the same position at Florida. MSU hired former Bulldog defensive coordinator Manny Diaz to fill the position. Gray said transitioning from Collins to Diaz wasn’t difficult because he hadn’t fully grasped Collins’ concepts.
Diaz noticed Gray when he arrived.
“He did everything full speed,” Diaz said. “Even in our offseason workouts, he was a guy who was highly competitive and tried to win everything he did, and I think that’s what he’s been able to translate onto the field and take some meaningful snaps early on in his career.”
Gray won’t be the only player to get more playing time. Diaz said redshirt freshman Gerri Green may split time with Gray. Green is listed as Richie Brown’s backup at middle linebacker. Sophomore Kelan Chairs is listed as Gray’s backup at outside linebacker.
Green has 44 tackles (two-and-a-half for loss), one pass breakup, and one interception.
“N.C. State challenges you in so many different ways with its formations, so you sort of have a tool for every occasion,” Diaz said. “I think that’s where we’ve got some good versatility in our linebacker crew.”
n MSU visits Children’s Hospital and Second Harvest Food Bank, goes on shopping spree: Members of the MSU football team visited the Levine Children’s Hospital and Second Harvest Food Bank before going through the Bulldogs’ final official practice of the 2015 season.
MSU closed the night at the flagship Belk store in Charlotte. As part of their bowl gifts, each player was given a $450 gift card to spend. Several of the players donated a portion of their gift cards to charity, including junior linebacker Richie Brown.
MSU practiced for two hours at Ardrey Kell High School. They will have a walk-through this afternoon following media day and a team picture at Bank of America Stadium.
n Belk Bowl radio show will air tonight: MSU’s Belk Bowl preview radio show, sponsored by Regions Bank, will air live from 6-8 tonight from Mortimer’s Cafe and Pub in Uptown Charlotte.
Fans are invited to attend. Mortimer’s Cafe and Pub is at 210 East Trade St. in the Charlotte EpiCentre (see on Google maps).
The special show will airs be broadcast live on affiliates of the MSU Sports Radio Network and is available to HailStatePLUS subscribers. Jim Ellis, Matt Wyatt, Bart Gregory, and John Correro will all be part of the show.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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