College Football Transfer Portal Top 50: Eric Gray, McKenzie Milton and the most impactful movers of 2021
Bruce Feldman and Max Olson
theathletic.com
The No. 3 ranked all-purpose back in the 2019 class was good as a freshman (666 total yards, five touchdowns) before breaking out as Tennessee’s leading rusher in 2020, accounting for 1,061 total yards and six touchdowns on 192 touches. He’s a threat in the passing game, with 30 receptions last fall, and has experience returning punts. And now Gray gets to play in the Sooners’ attack, making a likely preseason top-five team even more dangerous.
“This offense has been great,” he said after OU’s spring game. “That’s kinda why I ultimately chose to come here. Getting to learn this offense this spring has been an unbelievable opportunity.”
Kennedy Brooks is back after opting out in 2020 and has produced two 1,000-yard seasons, but Oklahoma’s attrition at running back with Rhamondre Stevenson going pro, T.J. Pledger transferring to Utah and Seth McGowan entering the portal opens up plenty of room for Gray to make a big impact.
His coaches praise how he trains and prepares like a pro, which has made his scheme transition very easy. The 5-foot-10, 206-pound rusher possesses great short-area quickness and elusiveness, has good hands and runs crisp routes, and he’s physical enough to gain tough yards and help in pass protection. Of the three Tennessee transfers who teamed up to play for Oklahoma, he was the most impressive this spring and is the most game-ready right now.
“That kid scares the shit out of me,” one college assistant said. “He’s a hell of a player.”
Other Notables:
9. Charleston Rambo
Bruce Feldman and Max Olson
College Football Transfer Portal Top 50: Eric Gray, McKenzie Milton and the most impactful movers of 2021
We selected the standouts of the busy portal based on past production, projected role and feedback from their past or present coaches.
theathletic.com
1. RB Eric Gray, Tennessee → Oklahoma
Gray looks like Oklahoma’s next great offensive weapon after all the buzz he generated this spring.The No. 3 ranked all-purpose back in the 2019 class was good as a freshman (666 total yards, five touchdowns) before breaking out as Tennessee’s leading rusher in 2020, accounting for 1,061 total yards and six touchdowns on 192 touches. He’s a threat in the passing game, with 30 receptions last fall, and has experience returning punts. And now Gray gets to play in the Sooners’ attack, making a likely preseason top-five team even more dangerous.
“This offense has been great,” he said after OU’s spring game. “That’s kinda why I ultimately chose to come here. Getting to learn this offense this spring has been an unbelievable opportunity.”
Kennedy Brooks is back after opting out in 2020 and has produced two 1,000-yard seasons, but Oklahoma’s attrition at running back with Rhamondre Stevenson going pro, T.J. Pledger transferring to Utah and Seth McGowan entering the portal opens up plenty of room for Gray to make a big impact.
His coaches praise how he trains and prepares like a pro, which has made his scheme transition very easy. The 5-foot-10, 206-pound rusher possesses great short-area quickness and elusiveness, has good hands and runs crisp routes, and he’s physical enough to gain tough yards and help in pass protection. Of the three Tennessee transfers who teamed up to play for Oklahoma, he was the most impressive this spring and is the most game-ready right now.
“That kid scares the shit out of me,” one college assistant said. “He’s a hell of a player.”
Other Notables:
9. Charleston Rambo
