2023 cornerback Christian Gray is high on four programs
Over the past few weeks, a trio of storied programs have jumped into the mix for four-star 2023 cornerback Christian Gray.
On Dec. 12, two weeks after officially being announced as the USC Trojans’ next head coach, Lincoln Riley’s staff extended an offer to Gray. The St. Louis (Missouri) prospect received more good news last night as the LSU Tigers gave him the green light.
The Miami Hurricanes recently got into the mix on Thursday as well.
On3 caught up with Gray earlier this month at the National Combine in San Antonio (Texas). Even without an offer in hand at the time, Gray listed LSU as one of the top contenders in his recruitment.
“What I’m considering is Notre Dame, USC, Ohio State, and LSU,” Gray said. “LSU, I just put them up there because they just started reaching out to me. I just want to check out who they are.”
New offers are sticking out to Christian Gray
This past weekend, Gray journeyed out to California for his first-ever trip to USC. The Trojans were the first program to get him on campus following a monthlong dead period.
Gray says the combination of Riley, defensive backs coach Donte Williams, and defensive coordinator Alex Grinch have made a strong impression on him.
“USC, Coach Grinch and Coach Riley and Coach Donte, those are my dogs,” Gray said. “They’re funny. I communicate with them a lot. I keep them up there because they care for kids, too. They care about others and where you commit. They said that no matter what, if you don’t commit here or if you do commit here, we just want you to have the best for you. Really want to make you the greatest.”
Moving over to the Tigers, it was not a surprise to see that Robert Steeples offered Gray this week. Not only is Steeples their cornerbacks coach; he also coached Gray for two years at De Smet Jesuit High School.
LSU’s opportunities in the classroom and their coaching staff are sticking out to Gray.
“I checked into their education. Their education seems nice,” Gray said. “They have the education I want and need. I just prayed about it… I put them up there. The coaches, I’ve seen them. They’re some really good coaches. The new coaches coming in are really good.”
Evaluating the contenders in the Midwest
Notre Dame is the school that, at this time, is considered the favorite to add Gray to their 2023 class. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine — which combines data and expert predictions on an AI platform — gives the Fighting Irish a 92.4 percent chance of landing him.
For Gray, that offer from Notre Dame on June 6 was extra special for him. Clemson and Notre Dame were a couple of schools that Gray’s late grandfather wanted to see him attend.
“Notre Dame, they’ve been in that mix a lot since the time I got [the offer],” Gray said. “It’s been a dream for me to get an offer from Notre Dame and a dream for my grandpa, too… I keep them up there because I know they care about their kids first and care about football second. It can take care of you after school.”
Ohio State is squarely in the mix for Gray, who was teammates with current Buckeye defensive back Jakailin Johnson at De Smet. In fact, Ryan Day’s program has signed five players from Missouri over the past five recruiting cycles.
Gray, who visited Ohio State twice last summer, likes what he’s seen during his time there.
“It’s really a family and tradition,” Gray said. “I actually like that family and tradition, and who they are. I always communicate with them. It is just cool with them, chill, laid-back… not a lot of pressure sometimes. They feel comfortable.”
As for his upcoming schedule, Gray says he will be in attendance for Notre Dame’s junior day event this month.