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Name: Rylei Gray
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Position(s): Running Back & Cornerback
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Height-Weight: 5’10” 170 lbs
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Jersey #: 1
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School & Class: North Penn, Class of 2027
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Key Stats (Sophomore Season): 47 tackles, 14 PBUs, INT, 2 forced fumbles and a blocked field goal
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Hudl Link: Rylei Gray
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Favorite NFL Team: Minnesota Vikings
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From the Head Coach: "He started the last eight games for us at corner and really solidified our secondary. Rylei is expected to get some carries at running back and play some receiver on offense this year as well."
On-Field Focus
Proudest Moment/Game-Changing Play: In the 2024 PIAA District 1 semi-final matchup against CB South, Gray made the game-winning stop. On fourth down, with just seconds remaining, Gray came downhill and knocked the ball free from a CB South receiver, causing him to fumble. North Penn pounced on the ball, and Gray helped the Knights get to the District Championship.
“Pre-snap, I was looking right at the quarterback and I could tell he was staring down his one receiver,” Gray said. “I knew where it was going. I didn't even backpedal, I broke right on the receiver and made the play.”
Toughest Part of Playing DB: For Gray, he believes keeping a short memory and remaining confident is the key. “You can’t get embarrassed about one rep that a receiver has won,” Gray said. “That is normal, you just got to be motivated to line back up and make a play on the next down.”
NFL Player Model: Darrelle Revis. Gray said he specifically goes back and watches tape from Revis’ 2009 season and said he is his inspiration to play defensive back.
Drill/Skill: This offseason, Gray has focused on sharpening his technique as a defensive back. As a long-time running back, Gray has turned his focus to the defensive side for the upcoming season.
Personal Story
How I Started: Gray began playing ball at the age of five. He played for his hometown club, the ENON Eagles, where he said he found his love for competing.
“I was always one of the younger and smaller players on the team because of my late birthday,” Gray said. “But that always just forced me to work harder and always compete.”
Biggest Supporter: For Gray, the answer was easy: it is his dad.
“My biggest supporter is always going to be my dad. I don't think he's ever missed a game, no matter how mad he was at me,” Gray said. “Even in basketball or summer league or if he has work, he has never missed a game.”
Challenge Overcome: Gray said he has always been one of the smaller guys on his teams, but it has taught him to be adaptable. He said he has bounced position to position through his football career, but no matter what, Gray knows it is heart over height.
Suburban One League Impact: Gray said the energy inside the SOL is unmatched and said there is always a lot of eyes on every game.
Football Flair
Pre-Game Ritual: Ever since he was a kid, Gray could not go a game without watching the viral Tavon Austin’s West Virginia highlight video. He said between the song and the highlights, nothing gets him more in the zone.
Nickname: “Baby Captain” or “RG” – earned “Baby Captain” from the upperclassmen after showing his strong leadership qualities for a sophomore.
Teammate’s Skill: Gray said he would love to have Matt Bucksar’s breakaway speed. “If you try to catch Matt on the scramble when he has space, good luck,” Gray said.
Future and Goals - Season Goal: Gray wants to get his team back to the championship.
“Last year we went on a crazy run that nobody was expecting,” Gray said. “People are probably not expecting us to do it again, but we are ready to prove them wrong.”
College Dreams: Gray wants to continue playing ball in college and dreams of being a Florida Gator.
Five Years From Now: The rising junior hopes to be playing Division I ball. For Gray it the destination ultimately does not matter because he has the mindset that he believes if he is good enough coaches will find him.
Team and League Pride - Why North Penn is Special: Gray said the support from everyone at the school and especially Coach Beck, makes North Penn so special.
“He is the exact kind of coach that you want,” Gray said. “He is always encouraging us and makes the team feel like a family. Every week, we do team dinners where we all hang out, and we are more than just a team.”
Under-the-Radar Teammate: Gray did not miss the opportunity to shout out his fellow defensive backs. He said more people need to look out for free safety Sal Colella and strong safety Jack Staugaitis. Gray also shouted out linebacker Nate Schepian, he said that while Schepian may look undersized, his tape does all the talking.
Memorable Crowd Moment: Gray called back to when he got his first interception against CB East.
“I could just hear everybody screaming, and it was crazy, maybe it wasn't as loud as I thought, but it was definitely loud,” Gray said. “After I caught that pick, I just heard everything and everyone running at me. That was my first game I started, and so many people were supporting me in that moment. It was awesome.”