Q&A: Logan Gray wanted ‘more opportunities’ to play QB at UGA
A Q&A WITH LOGAN GRAY
Gray
In an exclusive interview with the AJC on Tuesday, Logan Gray confirmed that he has settled on Colorado as his next destination. The former Georgia quarterback plans to transfer there via the NCAA’s postgraduate transfer rule which allows qualifying student-athletes to be immediately eligible at another school as long as they have received an undergraduate degree from the original school. However, the move is not yet finalized. Gray, who is due to earn a speech communications degree from UGA in May, has yet to be accepted into the Colorado’s grad school.
In the meantime, I wanted to talk Gray about that decision and ask him about his experiences at UGA. The former prep All-American and consensus top 10 quarterback prospect will leave without ever starting a game for the Bulldogs and switched to wide receiver last season after failing to beat out freshman Aaron Murray for the job. As you’ll learn in the following exchange, Gray felt like he wasn’t given a realistic shot to win the quarterback job after Matthew Stafford left in 2009. But he admits that Murray won the job fair and square and insists that he’ll leave Athens late next month without any hard feelings toward Georgia or its coaching staff.
Following is our exchange:
Q: So spring practice is underway. What are you up to now that you’re not playing football?
A: I’m just finishing up school so I can graduate come May with a degree in speech communications.
Q: The news has been circulating that you’ve settled on Colorado as a transfer destination. I know your younger brother Quinn attends there. Was that the main reason you chose the Buffaloes?
A: Yeah, that’s kind of how it started. It kind of went from there after that. It’s definitely ironic that we just went out there and played them.
Q: What has the transfer process been like?
A: At first I didn’t really know exactly how the whole process worked. So I just went through my high school coach (A.J. Ofodile), who helped me get recruited in the first place. I asked him to call a few schools and find out who might actually be interested. I was kind of looking to get back closer to home mainly. Once I found that out I just kind of went from there.
Q: What other schools showed interest?
A: I had a wide range of schools that I talked to. Probably my number two school would be Southern Illinois, which is a I-AA school only a few hours from where I live (in Columbia, Mo.). I talked to schools all the way from Louisiana-Monroe to Northern Iowa to Valdosta State. So I looked at D-1, I-AA all the way down to Division II.
Q: When did you make up your mind that it would be Colorado?
A: Actually I just had an official visit last weekend. I got to go visit and watch their spring game, meet all their coaches, pretty much check everything out. It went very well. That was pretty much the clincher there. They have a brand new staff out there, they just brought in a receivers coach from the University of Texas (Bobby Kennedy) and I really see them as a program on the rise.
Q: Any thoughts about trying to resurrect your quarterback career somewhere?
A: That was definitely something I thought about and it would have been cool to do. But the thing about it is, with the limited time I have, it would have been tough to pick up an entire system as a quarterback. That’s what several schools were saying. There were a couple that talked about me coming as a quarterback, but the majority were thinking wide receiver would be an easier transition.
Q: Were there any schools that recruited you specifically as a quarterback?
A: Valdosta State told me they needed a quarterback that could play right away. Then there were a few schools, like Louisiana-Monroe, that were talking to me about playing quarterback and receiver. A lot of teams were talking about putting me in a kind of Wildcat package.
Q: So what graduate degree will you be pursuing at Colorado?
A: Honestly, I still have to get accepted into their grad school. So, I mean, nothing is official yet. . . . I don’t know that I can tell you just yet. I’m just trying to make sure everything is official before I say anything. It’s a little different than coming out of high school.
Q: When is everything supposed to be finalized?
A: Hopefully I’ll find out in the next two weeks. Hopefully it won’t take too long, but I also have to get a waiver by the NCAA that clears me to be able to do that and I don’t know how long that process takes. I’m not positive how all that works. I feel pretty strong about it. I think it will work out just fine. Nothing is 100 percent just yet but we just need to take care of the rest. Hopefully I’ll be there for summer workouts.
Q: OK, how would you describe your experience at Georgia?
A: Honestly, I really don’t have any regrets deciding to come to Georgia out of high school. The relationships I’ve built with my teammates and the friends I’ve created, they will be life long. It’s definitely been a positive experience.
Q: What about on the football field?
A: As far as football goes, I do wish I had been given a few more opportunities, especially when I was playing quarterback. I don’t have any regrets. It didn’t work out. That’s just the way it goes sometimes. I’m still excited I’m able to get my degree from the University of Georgia and have an opportunity to go to another school like Colorado. Hopefully I can fulfill some of my dreams of making plays and being a key contributor at the college football level.
Q: You said you wished you had more shots at quarterback at UGA. When did you feel like was your best shot at Georgia, when Joe Cox ended up starting in 2009 or last year when Murray got the nod?
A: I’d probably say the year Joe Cox started. It’s tough talking about all this because Joe is one of my best friends and, Aaron Murray, I have great respect for him. But as far as how things played out, I just kind of wish it would have been handled in a different manner. After Matthew [Stafford] left, they immediately named Joe the starter before spring practice even started. I was hoping to get on the field and compete for that job and show what I could do. During the season the opportunities I got were really only at the end of the Florida game and at the end of the Tennessee game, which didn’t pan out for the best. After Joe graduated, going into last year, it was a wide-open competition, which was different than the year before. Aaron ended up winning the job and obviously had a great year last year and that’s just the way things went. Like I said, no hard feelings. That’s just the way it goes sometimes.
Q: Knowing what you do now, what advice might you give recruits?
A: I think if I gave advice it would be to make the most of your college experience. Not every single person is going to come to college and have an awesome career and end up in the NFL. It just doesn’t work that way. But I still feel you should work as hard as you can in the field and in the classroom. You just have to make the most of all the opportunities your given. Coach Richt gave me a scholarship and I wanted to honor the University by getting my degree here. I’m most proud of that.
Q: Did you consider staying at Georgia and giving it another go as a full-time wide receiver?
A: Obviousy I thought long and hard about that. In the end I just kind of wanted a fresh start. I was hoping to be able to play some place a little closer to home. Colorado is still a little bit away from where I live, but with my brother going to school there it will allow my parents to see both of us quite a bit, which will be nice. And I just thought that it was time for a change. I don’t know exactly which way the program is heading and I kind of just wanted to jump on board somewhere that I could just have a fresh start and prove that I’m a guy that can make plays and really help a team win.”
Q: What memories will you leave with from UGA?
A: I definitely made some of my best friends ever and I will miss them. Drew Butler, Clint Boling, Tanner Strickland and [walkon] Eric Elliott, those are some of my best friends. And there are many other guys I have very close relationships with. And it’s not like I’m leaving here without a great experience. My freshman year I was part of a Sugar Bowl championship team. On or off the field I’ve had memories that I’ll cherish for years.
Chip Towers, The UGA Blog
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206 comments Add your comment
51WTGW50
April 12th, 2011
11:44 pm
UGAs fans Double wide trailer
That doesn’t tell you I am talking about Richt and Bobo at UGA? Do you think when Richt gets canned by the dawgs he will ever give Bobo a job again ?
Frank A
April 13th, 2011
12:10 am
I had the opportunity to go to a bowl practice with some high school coaches and got to sit in on the wide reciever position meeting. Logan was the most respecful player in the room; he answered every question with a “Yes Sir” or “No Sir” and basically said, “I need to work harder on that”. If every player at UGA had his attitude and character, we would be in great shape for the future. I wish him all the best.
Frank A
April 13th, 2011
12:35 am
Enter your comments here
51WTGW50
April 13th, 2011
1:06 am
@A lot of college
I see UGA lost to Tech and UGA’s record is 18-16. You say they are better than any team in the west then the SEC west must suck bad. LSU, Bama, and MSU are usually really good baseball teams are they not?
A lot of college football coaches in the room
April 12th, 2011
11:37 pm
Oh I will run my mouth just like you will and I will back my stuff up. Here is your post.
51WTGW50
April 12th, 2011
10:49 pm
Your post does not say they will not have one at UGA. It says they will not have one, well last time I checked Richt has two. I guess I was suppose to assume that is what you meant.
This article and conversation is about a QB that never got a fair shot at UGA and how Richt and Bobo judge talent at UGA. Why you think I would be talking about Richt at FSU? Hell UGA morons add Richts record at FSU to some conversations and that makes no since. If I wanted to talk FSU Heisman winners I would have said Bowden and Richt not Richt and Bobo. Why would I bet a UGA fans trailer if I want to talk about Richt and any other team. You really can’t be that dumb can you?
Day Bow Bow
April 13th, 2011
1:57 am
If I remember correctly, Gray came as a package deal with Aron White. I’m proud of him for sticking it out at UGA and wish him well at CU although I think neither him nor White lived up to expectations, maybe White will prove me wrong this year…
Jason
April 13th, 2011
2:20 am
Joe Cox was the starter in 2009 and was clear after the third game that he just wasn’t going to cut it as the starter, yet CMR kept him in meanwhile ignoring the future of the ball team…Gray should have been given a more legitimate chance to play in 2009 and if he didn’t cut it, Murray should have been our guy, true freshman and cut his teeth on what was already crappy year…and preventing him from starting 2010’s dismal season as a red shirt. I truly believe that if Murray had come in halfway through 2009 season, the 2010 season would have been much much more successful. Who cares if he had given up a year of eligibility, we have Mason and LeMay ready, willing and able for the next few years. QB’s come out of high school every year, no need to feel like you only get one every 4-5 years.
Reaper
April 13th, 2011
3:15 am
Point blank, Logan was high ranked recruit that the coaching staff never developed. I hope this is not a bad sign for this year but, who knows. All I can say is certain changes to the offensive coaching staff were not made and I hope UGA doesn’t pay for that all season long. Staff is not disciplined enough to win a NC and I don’t think it will change this season either. There is no margin for error this season.
AltamahaDawg
April 13th, 2011
7:15 am
That would excluding the “opportunity” in practice every day for 3 years to show the coaches he could be a starter in the SEC?
JE
April 13th, 2011
7:26 am
As long as we do not have an Erk Russell type defense we will always struggle and have to score 30 plus points in most games to have a 6-7 season. The defense last year stunk. Hopefully with the new OL coach we will not have to undergo the same fate on offense this year. Our runners look uninspiring and our returning receivers are not experienced enough due to the loss of two starters for us to have much of an offense. If Murray has the same stats this year as last year we will probably have the same results….Defense has to step up….It did not last year.
CJJScout
April 13th, 2011
8:14 am
He got hosed the year Cox played. He was obviously way more talented and should have started. Still couldn’t have beat Murray out, but he would have had a year to play.
Reynolds
April 13th, 2011
8:32 am
1- “Favoritism is a sin” james 2:9
2- Gray beat Murray in G-Day, and Richt insutated before that game, that the competition was so close, that whoever won the G-Day comeptition, would win the spot. Gray had a much better Murray, yet Richt gave it to Murray.
3- Richt talked Gray into staying by promising to use him a lot. Gray was thrown 9 passes.
Jim
April 13th, 2011
8:40 am
Mike, Logan Gray never quit this team. Yes he could stick around for another year and keep a warm spot on the bench, fair catch a punt or two, and go rah-rah for the boys while we have another half-a$$ year. How you can say this man quit is beyond me. Please direct your comments to the real quiters like Stafford and Green.
NC_Dawg
April 13th, 2011
8:44 am
If / When NFL teams start drafting players to ‘fair catch’ punts, Logan will be a first round draft pick!
RxDawg
April 13th, 2011
8:46 am
“Gray felt like he wasn’t given a realistic shot to win the quarterback job after Matthew Stafford left in 2009. But he admits that Murray won the job fair and square ”
Had to stop there… Isn’t that kind of contradicting?
crossdawg
April 13th, 2011
8:55 am
CMR let a DGD get away. Also, if you read the interview, he didn’t say “you know” the 1st time.
AltamahaDawg
April 13th, 2011
9:46 am
I know I was convinced after that 5 TD, 51 point road win, outdualing Mallet, going 2-0 in the SEC, we needed to scrap the whole season.
RxDawg
April 13th, 2011
9:46 am
OK, I see. He’s talking about when Cox took over. But Cox was a highly recruited 5th year senior so… most people did think he was going to take over anyways. Plus Cox wasn’t quite as bad as a lot of people tried to make it out to be. He had a horrid defense. Don’t know if things would of been better with Gray or not, but water under the bridge now.
However, I too wish that Richt would sit QB’s when they are mightily struggling in games for a series or two and let the #2 give it a shot. During the UF and UCF games I was begging Richt to sit Murray. It was obvious that something was wrong (sore arm?). Why not give the #2 a shot? Funny thing is Richt used to get a bunch of critiscm for doing this too much back in the Shockely/Greene years. But you know what, it worked and we always had a great #2 QB ready to go.
Jay
April 13th, 2011
9:58 am
Gray wouldn’t have made 4 turnovers against Florida, W there, or 3 turnovers against UCF like Murray made, so
With Murray starting–go 0-6 beat 0 ranked teams, finish 6-7
With Gray starting– go 2-4, beat 1 ranked team, finish 8-5
That’s what’s frustrating.
AltamahaDawg
April 13th, 2011
10:02 am
There is not a team in the country not carrying multiple QB’s most of which never end up starting. Practically every one of the career back-ups in the SEC were highly rated, THUS the scholarship offer from a SEC school. This is the same story played out time and time again everywhere else.
DawginLex
April 13th, 2011
10:16 am
If Logan had played instead of Joe Cox in 2009, here are the revised results:
Cox 8-5 losses to Florida,UT,Okie State,KY and LSU
Gray plays QB all the losses would have repeated from above and you could add:
SC
Ark
Auburn
Cox 7-5 bowl win= 8-5
Gray 4-8 no bowl
AltamahaDawg
April 13th, 2011
10:29 am
That is absolutely true, DIL.
Gt4ever
April 13th, 2011
10:32 am
Mike,
You are a true UGA fan…. A total IDIOT!
DawginLex
April 13th, 2011
10:38 am
http://forums.secsportsman.com/tm.aspx?m=134&mpage=1&print=true
******************************************************************
no way Logan Gray could have EVER done this!!!!!!!!!!!!!
don medeiros
April 13th, 2011
10:44 am
If he doesn’t know what he’s going to study in grad school, how can he be allowed to compete? Isn’t one of the “rules” that the new school has to offer a degree that UGA doesn’t offer? Doesn’t he have to enroll in a program that UGA doesn’t offer? Seems a little odd.
Gt4ever
April 13th, 2011
10:46 am
DawginLex,
You guys never fail to amaze me with your superior football knowledge…. The facts are this…. This kid just gave a classey interview, where he could of thrown the coaches under the bus! Guess what, he didn’t! Your coaching is SUSPECT. Period… All the talent you guys get year after year after year…… You were 6 and 7 last year…. Pitiful, is all I can say… If we had 1/2 your talent, we would have won another MNC…. I would say Logan was and will continue to be a CLASS act! If only the IDIOTIC UGA fans would follow suit…
GA-BuffsFan
April 13th, 2011
11:01 am
Welcome to the family. and…GO BUFFS!
DawginLex
April 13th, 2011
11:05 am
GT4ever,
I happen to think coach johnson could win big at UGA.
Now, onto the topic:Logan Gray.
I have no problem with Logan wanting to compete but to say he was not given a chance is wrong. He would have not done as well as Joe Cox at QB despite what some think. He was getting better as a receiver.
As far as the coaching staff is concerned, Richt is clearly on the hot seat in 2011. He gets a pass from me because of what he has done for the past 10 years. He won 2 SEC titles after a 20 year drought. I believe he is a victim of his own success.
dawgfacedboy
April 13th, 2011
11:35 am
Some kids wanna play and some kids just want to be on the team. If he was serious about playing time he should’ve transferred. He’s right though, he never got a fair shot. You have to put kids in situations where they have a chance to be successful. Putting him in to take snaps out of his own endzone against a Florida team that was dominating UGA all day is not a fair opportunity for anyone.
Best of luck to him.
dawgfacedboy
April 13th, 2011
11:36 am
Richt will get a pass this year to see what happens with the “Dream Team”. I would think it’s unrealistic to expect better than a 6-6 or 7-5 season though.
Mike
April 13th, 2011
11:50 am
Maybe you’re Smilin’, Jack because you’re a quitter as well! I was just raised at a time when team was more important than self. It doesn’t appear to be so with this new generation, which you are obviously a part of …
Logan isn’t leaving after a few weeks of his freshman year, realizing that he has made a mistake. He’s a senior, seasoned and knows the score. The coaches have given him every chance and did not see the ability in him – they moved him to wide receiver to give him another chance and he could not compete as a starter. Look, I’m not cutting the kid’s ability, I’m sure he tried and he was a lot more successful than most of us and he has a lot to be proud of. But I have no sympathy for a senior quitting his team mates and taking his bat and ball and going somewhere else, just because he’s not allowed to start. If everyone thought and acted as he did, then I guess we would only have 22 players on the team. The fact that we have 75, most of them upper-classmen, speaks to the fact that they are not quitters. You are welcome to your opinion, but don’t single me out for mine …
Mike
April 13th, 2011
11:56 am
Hey, Gt4ever – Right back to you, sport! Guess you’re a quitter too. Read my comments to your brother,Smilin’ Jack.
AltamahaDawg
April 13th, 2011
12:01 pm
My problem with the “quitter” talk is this:
The kid completed his 4 years of college education while playing for the team for his rent. That was the agreement. Nowhere is is stated that IF the staff decides to redshirt you, there is still an obligation to hang around after your degree is finished. So from a purely contractual basis, he paid his dues.
From a loyalty standpoint, he was willing to change position, return punts , whatever he could. He doesn’t owe anyone anything. From a do anything to help standpoint, he did.
As for bailing on his team. HE is the one that is giving up something. The team isn’t losing anything. HE is the one benefiting FROM the team at this point. There is nothing he can do FOR the team now. So that is his decision. One I think he can make with a very clear conscience.
Mike
April 13th, 2011
12:34 pm
AltamahaDawg,
Thanks for your point. We’re not talking about a business contract here, we are talking about loyalty and dedication. The guys I played with became my best freinds and have remained so for many years. We shared something that most people do not go through and will never understand. I would never have dreamed of leaving them – and no else left either, as I remember.
I would understand if Logan was a real-time hot shot, playing behind a first-round draft pick. In this example, he could probably start and play for anyone else, and increase his own chances in the pros. Logan will not play pro football. He is just part of a one team. He needs to remember that.
Chris
April 13th, 2011
12:36 pm
makes me sick….unless the mentality of the coaches change- e.g play someone becuase he is a senior COX- nothing will change. For this kid not to have been given a chance after what we delt with with Cox??? I hope this team goes 0-12 this year. This kid had more heart than full of himself stafford ever did. Plain and simple….makes me sick as a lifelong UGA fan…
Richard
April 13th, 2011
12:37 pm
Jay, excellent post, and couldn’t agree more.
Dawg Gone
April 13th, 2011
12:39 pm
Logan best of luck to you in your life and career…DGD!!
Paul
April 13th, 2011
12:40 pm
maybe the coaches should be given a dose of their own medicine……no chance to prove this year will be turned around…..lose 1 game and FIRED! We put up with Cox and his lackluster play and now hear the coaches didnt even give this kid a realistic shot????? Unbeleivable!
Kyle
April 13th, 2011
12:46 pm
Pretty telling comments. Suffice to say we have problems in Athens and not sure you can teach an old Dawg new tricks. The mentality of the coaches (especially the head ball coach) will never change. Cox played because he was a senior plain and simple. I am not sold on Murray yet either….he watches plenty of film…..but the fact remains….10-6 vs UCF……not even our worst QB ever went that low…..Hopefully Murray can turn it around but the fact reamins…his numbers and glory came against losing teams….lets not forget WE DID NOT BEAT ONE TEAM WITH A WINNING RECORD LAST YEAR.
Reynolds
April 13th, 2011
12:52 pm
In the Book of James, chapter 2, verse 9, it teaches that favoritism is a sin. I wish Richt would put that principle into practice and truly put the best guys on the field.
Nel-Dorado
April 13th, 2011
12:56 pm
You couldn’t have asked for a better team player. He should have gotten more opportunities that season with Joe. He had some real potential. Why they stuck with Joe Cox to the bitter end I’ll never understand?!?!? Good luck in Boulder Logan! You were a DGD.
Kyle
April 13th, 2011
12:59 pm
Good Luck Logan…..really sick at how these coaches treated you. Hopefully we will play Colorado in a bowl (ha! if we make it) and we lose 10-6! I am a lifelong dawg…but what is going on in Athens makes me sick
Joe
April 13th, 2011
1:04 pm
great point….Murray hasnt proved anything except he can beat losing teams…..losers beating losers….I lost a whole lot of respect for these coaches and this team after reading this article. Its time for them to shut up and prove it on the field.
AltamahaDawg
April 13th, 2011
1:04 pm
Right Mike, thats why 2/3 of my post had nothing to do with a business contract. He did everything he could for the team. I would call him VERY loyal. I get what you are saying about good friends and sharing, but that is why you Wanted to stay. (or why he should WANT to stay). You don’t understand why he would give that up, on his own behalf. He would be depriving himself of something. I’m not arguing that. But that’s his call. I am disagreeing the premise that he is somehow depriving his team somehow, or somehow owes them him (sticking around because of why you think it’s good for him.
I’m not following how the fact that he probably won’t play, makes it that much more his responsibility to stick around. That he should for no other reason than he is leaving good friends. Actually I would see it the complete opposite. If he was a hot shot,or there was some way he could help at all, and left THEN he would be harming the team.
oldeagle
April 13th, 2011
1:09 pm
Looks like it was a totally football related move, he never once said I’m going to Colorado to get a grad degree in X which UGA doesn’t offer. I hope things work out for him but it definitely not in keeping with the spirit of the grad transfer rule.
Joe
April 13th, 2011
1:11 pm
would you stick around coaches that didnt give you any chance? Would you stick around losers like King, Ealey, Oline……until proven otherwise this team is full of smack talkers, losers and troublemakers. This team would win a national championship if smack talk in the spring counted.
AltamahaDawg
April 13th, 2011
1:14 pm
And good grief STOP with the BS making up new names to agree with yourself about how terrile Murray is.(as if it really matters who the player is to you) Forgetting Murray, how about this: GET a Life! You are boring the rest of us. It’s gard to imagine anyone can be as big of a loser you are acting like right now. If you enjoy seeing yourself that way………..whatever.
As far as Murray, go ahead and start writing all the other coaches around the league, because they WILL all be voting him All-SEC when media days roll around.
AltamahaDawg
April 13th, 2011
1:20 pm
How stupid does somebody have to be to think that any coach is going to choose to put a player on the field that does not represent in thier mind the best option?
The answer is that nobody is that stupid to believe that. Some folks say that, but they do not believe it. You lose any benifit of credibility to say things that you do not even believe yourself in here.
Joe
April 13th, 2011
1:56 pm
Altam….it is a fact that a players loyalty went a long way with these coaches and no secret that players did play because of that. Talk to some of the players themselves…..talk to some of the COACHES themselves. It really is no secret. A coach can always fall to the “best option” anyone who beleived Cox was our best option was a fool. After the Fla game pretty much anyone could have gone out there and gave us a “better option” the fact that we didnt even try is what makes me upset.
Snoop Dawg
April 13th, 2011
1:57 pm
Obviously, Logan Gray couldn’t have done any worse than Cox. Richt is the person playing the favorites, though. Giving the more senior players preference over better junior players is totally counterproductive to both winning and maintaining a healthful team spirit and attitude.
Preacha Man’s going to the bank, though, and evidently does whatever he wants…
AltamahaDawg
April 13th, 2011
3:16 pm
Except that Cox himself has started over older player on the team at times. And he has been #2 behind younger players at a times. So your theory only hold true, what, some of the time?