For months, Washington County coach Joel Ingram has made it no secret that he’s annoyed and mystified at recruiting experts’ opinion of A.J. Gray, his three-star quarterback and free safety who is committed to Georgia Tech.
“I’d like to see some of these SEC schools and how many defensive backs they have committed with 10 interceptions, how many running backs with 2,300 yards or how many at the athlete position with 60 total touchdowns,’’ Ingram said. “He’s the best high school football player in the state of Georgia. I’ve said that from Day One this season.’’
It’s hard to argue with Ingram now.
Gray is The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s all-classification player of the year. He is the first player of the year headed to Georgia Tech since Joe Burns of Thomas County Central in 1997, and only the second since the honor was first given in 1981.
Gray — still not rated among the best 50 senior prospects in Georgia, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings — just completed one of the most impressive seasons for a two-way starter in state history.
As a spread-offense quarterback, Gray rushed for 2,358 yards and 39 touchdowns. That included a 442-yard, eight-touchdown game in the quarterfinals against Pierce County, a game that Washington County won 62-35. Those season and game totals are believed to be state records for a quarterback.
Running the spread offense, Gray completed 97 of 182 passes for 1,810 yards and 21 touchdowns. At safety, he had 10 interceptions. He returned four for touchdowns.
Washington County scored 737 points, a state record, averaging 49.1 per game, and finished 14-1, the runner-up in Class AAA. Washington County was 27-2 in Gray’s two seasons as the starting quarterback.
“However good you think A.J. Gray is when you see him on film, he’s that much better in person,’’ said Blessed Trinity coach Tim McFarlin, whose team lost to Washington County in the semifinals in a game between undefeated teams. “He was a step faster than we thought, a little stronger than we thought. But what makes him special were some intangibles. He knew when to throw and when to pull it.’’
Gray rushed for 273 yards and three touchdowns, one an 81-yarder, against McFarlin’s team. He also had an interception. Washington County won 28-17.
Washington County then lost to Calhoun 27-20 in the AAA championship game. Gray rushed for 122 yards and passed for 142. Video appeared to show that Gray got the 11th interception of the season on what became Calhoun’s winning drive, but the pass was ruled incomplete. Gray believes he caught the ball, but he wouldn’t dwell on it days later.
“That’s life, and I can’t change it now,” Gray said. “I’m over it. Even though we fell short, I’m happy with how we did. I think I did a great job leading my team, and my teammates helped me be the person I am now.”
Great things have been expected of Gray for some time. He’s from a family of athletes.
His father, Allen Gray, is the principal of Washington County and former assistant football coach. Allen Gray was a basketball player and track-and-field athlete at West Virginia State. His older brother, Marlo East, is Washington County’s defensive coordinator. He played football at Troy.
A.J.’s sister, Allisha Gray, is the leading scorer on North Carolina’s women’s basketball team. She was Georgia’s Gatorade girls basketball player of the year in 2012. A.J. Gray was Georgia’s Gatorade football player of the year this season.
A.J. also is an outstanding basketball point guard. He has gained all-state recognition in basketball and football as a sophomore and junior.
Gray will stick to football in college, but his versatility will give Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson some options.
“The defensive guys at Tech tell me they’re living in fear that Coach Johnson will keep A.J. on offense,’’ Ingram said. “He sells at safety, but I’ve heard people say he could be another Joe Hamilton. He’s going to be successful at whatever side he plays. I just know he’s the most special kid that I’ve ever coached.’’
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