Quarterback Gray will stay at UGA, double as a wide receiver (UPDATED)
(Updated 6:45 p.m.)
MACON — Georgia backup quarterback Logan Gray, after considering the possibility of transferring to another school for the past few weeks, has decided to remain at UGA, where he’ll double as a wide receiver.
Gray informed coach Mark Richt of his decision by phone Wednesday morning.
Richt said in an interview before a Bulldog Club meeting here Wednesday night that Gray will have a dual role with the Bulldogs.
“He’s our second-team quarterback in my mind,” Richt said. “Logan has three years of knowledge in our system. He’s a very capable quarterback, so it’s nice to know that he’s there for that purpose.
“But he would like to spend some time at receiver. I think he feels like he might have a better chance of helping us there. So I’m fine with that, I really am.”
Gray, a junior, began considering the possibility of transferring after being listed as the No. 2 quarterback behind redshirt freshman Aaron Murray on Georgia’s depth chart at the end of spring practice.
Richt said Wednesday night that he doesn’t know yet how Gray’s practice and meetings time will be divided this fall between quarterback and receiver. Richt said he expects Gray to work mostly at receiver this summer as he tries to learn the position, adding that Gray “isn’t going to forget what to do at quarterback.”
Richt conceded that Gray’s interest in playing receiver limits his chances of beating out Murray for the starting quarterback job, although most observers felt those chances were slim anyway.
“If [Gray] is practicing at receiver all day long,” Richt said Wednesday night, “then there’s not a very good chance” of becoming the No. 1 quarterback.
He added: “The way things are shaping up, it looks like Murray is the guy, doesn’t it?”
Later, in his remarks to the Bulldog Club gathering, Richt said Murray “is certainly in the driver’s seat [and] most likely will be the starter.”
Gray’s thoughts of transferring caused much concern in Bulldog Nation because Gray and Murray are the only scholarship quarterbacks currently in the UGA program. Hutson Mason, a recruit from Marietta’s Lassiter High School, arrives this summer, and Richt said Mason can compete for the backup quarterback job “when he learns what to do.”
Gray said in a written statement that he decided to stay at UGA “because I truly do love being a Georgia Bulldog. I want to be a part of this team getting back to the SEC championship game and winning it.
“I’m also looking forward to getting some work at receiver and am going to work hard to make the best out of my opportunity at this position as well,” Gray said. ” I appreciate Coach Richt’s patience while I made this decision and his helpful advice. Now, I want to put all of this behind me and focus on getting to work on preparations for next season at UGA.”
Said Richt: “I’m really excited about Logan wanting to stay and for the reasons he is staying. When he called me [Wednesday] morning, I said: ‘Tell me why you decided to stay.’ He said, ‘I love Georgia; I love my teammates; I think we can win; I want to win; I want to be there.’
“Those were all the right reasons to stay.”
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219 comments Add your comment
Preston
May 12th, 2010
2:13 pm
Thank goodness!
Slick
May 12th, 2010
2:14 pm
Great…thank you Logan. Now, let’s GATA!
dentaldawg
May 12th, 2010
2:15 pm
GATA Logan
Preston
May 12th, 2010
2:16 pm
Hopefully he’ll settle in to the all important backup role and play some WR and punt return next year when Hutson Mason is ready to play. Gray is way too valuable right now to risk injury in case Murray goes down. Thank you Logan!
Tana
May 12th, 2010
2:16 pm
This is not for his best interest. He possibly could have started somewhere else at the QB position if that is what he wants to do. At UGA he will only be a situational quarter back at best. Murray will be the starter and get the chance to grow at the position. Gray could return punts, but Green is demanding they allow him to do it.
Sorry Logan, you don’t fit the system. And even if you did you never proved it.
toph
May 12th, 2010
2:16 pm
That-a-boy Logan. We’re glad to have you still part of the Dawg family. Now get out there and tear it up!
maddog
May 12th, 2010
2:17 pm
what is gata?
GeoffDawg
May 12th, 2010
2:18 pm
Get after that A-word.
Bobby B
May 12th, 2010
2:19 pm
Enter your comments here
So, what’s the next earth shattering crisis? « Get The Picture
May 12th, 2010
2:19 pm
[...] So, what’s the next earth shattering crisis? Jump to Comments Logan Gray elects not to transfer. [...]
TuckDAWG
May 12th, 2010
2:20 pm
Hey tana leave the guy alone is and always will be a bulldog and he will be a valuable part of the team this year and next we r glad to still have you Logan. maddog GATA is “get after that A$$”
southsideDawg
May 12th, 2010
2:20 pm
I think it is great that he is staying. What about him playing safety?
Bobby B
May 12th, 2010
2:21 pm
GATA = in the 70’s (probably ‘75) UGA was playing @ GT. During halftime, Erk Russel found an easel board with 4 movable letters, GTAA (GT Athletic Assoc) – Erskine rearranged the letters to motivate the team, now is said GATA – Get After Techs (Arse)
cantondawg
May 12th, 2010
2:21 pm
What amazes me is that most people talk about his playing career in college. The most important thing that Logan should consider is his educational career. He has been at UGA for 3 years. Why would he transfer from UGA just to play more. If i were his father i would tell him to tough it out and get his degree.
Frank
May 12th, 2010
2:21 pm
Logan is a DGD!!!!!
THWGT!!!!!
Screven Dawg
May 12th, 2010
2:22 pm
Now there is no stopping us from at least winning the SEC East.
guy
May 12th, 2010
2:23 pm
UGA still does not have an experienced quarterback no matter who stays or goes. SCARY!!! All we need is a miracle and one heck of a running game on offense. Time will tell!
toph
May 12th, 2010
2:23 pm
Thanks for the info. Bobby B!
I'm a Man, I'm 40
May 12th, 2010
2:24 pm
gata is spanish for a female cat. However, if you are talking food then gata is a type of Armenian sweet bread. I think a female cat would be a better representation for gata in this spot concerning Mr. Gray.
Rethink
May 12th, 2010
2:25 pm
I hate to be politically corrct, but after the whole Mettenberger (sp.?) ordeal, maybe we should retire GATA. Go Dawgs! Hunker Down!
CMS
May 12th, 2010
2:25 pm
Thank you cantondawg! Finally, a UGA fan not blinded by football and red & black enough to see the big picture. Most of the time people slam poor Logan for just being Logan.
Rethink
May 12th, 2010
2:26 pm
correct – sorry
Aaron IS injury prone
May 12th, 2010
2:27 pm
Murray has a history of injuries. He pushes hard in practice and stuff happens. Good attitude he has.
The coaches will not initially allow him to scoot around the end in games ……….if he gets hurt, then they would be in deep doo doo with fans,etc. SO, with his arm and ability to move around the pocket, he can still move the chains. He will have to move out side to throw the ball. He is short and he will have to be on the move to keep the opposing D teams honest.
Logan has the ability to play well also. He is mature and will have a chance in the NFL as a punt returner or split end,etc. He could help UGA at QB in a pinch. Gulp …….I hope so.
Hutson Mason will come in this summer and he will get a real hard look. We also have the two young men that are walk on QBs. I think that one of them will emerge as a key back up about mid year. Both are big,strong men with arms and both have played in Georgia big boy HS ball. I have seen this happen over the years at UGA, although no SEC titles resulted over the last 50 years with any back ups that I recall.
Go Dogs
RDR
May 12th, 2010
2:27 pm
We’re all pulling for you Logan! Glad you’re a Dawg!
Dawg Days
May 12th, 2010
2:27 pm
Like in 2008 Screven Dawg when we were way more talented and had Mr. #1 pick at QB? Go Logan!
Cuz
May 12th, 2010
2:28 pm
Get After Them Aggressively Logan.
TTOUGH44
May 12th, 2010
2:28 pm
Man, Great LOYALTY! Thanks, you will be rewarded for your loyalty! Go Dawgs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
Hugo Chavez
May 12th, 2010
2:29 pm
Que tal, los peros.
Tom
May 12th, 2010
2:30 pm
move him to WR. no business at QB
FAN
May 12th, 2010
2:30 pm
tana is an idiot. next time you have a thought let it go. its funny how most the people on this bolg were grilling this kid before the spring and after. then he says he might transfer and yall call him selfish and other crap, and now yall are happy he’s back. sounds like a lot of two-faced people out there. I for one have always liked LG and believe he can play in the SEC, no matter what position. GATA go dawgs!!!
LCDawg
May 12th, 2010
2:31 pm
“tana” you’re a tool. The kid has talent and he is a BULLDAWG! ..Let’s see what he can do at receiver.
Pete
May 12th, 2010
2:32 pm
ok…get your team mates together and jell as a team…that wins championships….no excuses with the talent and schedule…you guys have to want it…not just talk about it
anotherdawg
May 12th, 2010
2:34 pm
I think this is great for UGA and Logan. UGA will have 2 quarterbacks familiar with the system, one could go down with injury, and it’s not written in stone that Murray will be the starter. Plus, Logan could be used also as a receiver. If he had transfered, he would have had to sit out a year, or go to a small school. It was Logan’s decision to make and we should support him either way.
Ted Striker
May 12th, 2010
2:34 pm
Good news. For both Logan Gray and for UGA. Both are winners.
How2fish
May 12th, 2010
2:35 pm
Logan best of luck on the field and in the classroom!
RDR
May 12th, 2010
2:37 pm
Tana. Insightful. You should now get back to watching your Oprah reruns.
The D
May 12th, 2010
2:39 pm
Does he not like defense? You would think DB, Corner, Safety would all be viable options for him, really happy he stayed! Go Dawgs
Tuna
May 12th, 2010
2:39 pm
This is good news.
RDR
May 12th, 2010
2:40 pm
Looks like a “possession receiver”, i.e., Chris McCraney, Freddy Wegand
patrick
May 12th, 2010
2:41 pm
What else could he do? He would only have a year of eligibility if he left…What team would give him a year?
Seenitall
May 12th, 2010
2:41 pm
However things go for Logan, he’s earned the school’s, the team’s, and the fans’ support and respect. I hope he gets the chance to prove his on-field value.
Les
May 12th, 2010
2:43 pm
Thanks Logan!
Logan Gray has been INCREDIBLY LOYAL to Georgia. He deserves some playing time, they need to work this guy in somehow, he’s a great, great athlete, and has a LOT to offer Georgia.
Now look at UGA’s QB situation:
2 Elite 11 QB’s, and a Parade All-American. Best trio in college football.
Can’t wait for the season to start.
P.S. Don’t be surprised if Logan Gray starts the first game, or get 50% of the reps.
Old Dawg
May 12th, 2010
2:44 pm
There is a Bulldawg God in heaven. Thanks for staying young man. You’ve always have had, and will continue to have, the respect of Bulldawgs every where!
30-24 Dawgs - WE RUN THIS STATE!
May 12th, 2010
2:45 pm
Welcome back Logan and looking forward to seeing you in more than a designated fair catch/mop-up QB role this year!
GATA!
Jim Mora Jr.
May 12th, 2010
2:46 pm
Of in the immortal words of Corrine Brown: “Go Gata!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgbBP9Em00A
alabamadawg
May 12th, 2010
2:46 pm
Thank you Logan !!!
Jim Mora Jr.
May 12th, 2010
2:47 pm
Or***
Long Gator
May 12th, 2010
2:48 pm
This announcement has the Gator nation frozen with
fear…. NOT
Is this all you puppies have ?
Thrasherfan
May 12th, 2010
2:51 pm
What? Only 2 QBs? What type of recruiting has Georgia been doing these last few years? We need more QBs on the depth chart.
Elliot Garcia
May 12th, 2010
2:51 pm
Too bad Logan will never be in an SEC Championship game…..