AU offer intrigues LB

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Lavergne (La Vergne, Tenn.) junior Rivals100 to Watch athlete Maleik Gray doesn't know much about Auburn. He's never had a reason to learn.

He didn't until last week.

"Auburn offered last Tuesday or Wednesday," Gray said. "It came out of the blue. I was very surprised, but also very grateful. I only know just really general stuff about Auburn, like they are the Tigers, they're in the SEC and stuff like that, but I know it's a great school and I'm very appreciative of the offer."

He's also more curious about the Tigers.

"I'm definitely going to start looking into them more now," Gray said. "I know they are in the SEC, have been good in the SEC and are the Tigers, but nothing unique like I would if I had been there, which I'd like to do. I definitely would like to visit and learn more."

Gray, 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, has more than 20 months left before Signing Day 2017. There's plenty of time to visit Auburn and several other schools, and he will. Gray plans to utilize the time to make the best and most informed choice.

"I'm really young so anything is liable to catch my attention with any college, so I really want to take my time with my decision," Gray said. "I want to take visits and make the best decision for me.

"I have so many great options so I really want to find which one is the right fit for me. Academics are going to play a major role in which school I choose, too."

Gray's options/offers now include Auburn, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, USC, UCLA, Notre Dame and Kentucky, among others. Florida State and Tennessee have caught his early attention.

"They showed me a lot of love early," Gray said. "The coaches have shown me that they really want me. That's their job. I understand that, but still it's good to see that they really want me."

Rivals.com lists Gray as an athlete, but his future in college is on defense, at least he hopes.

"I play outside linebacker and wide receiver, and I used to play running back," Gray said. "But I feel real comfortable at the outside linebacker position. I guess that's where I'd like to play in college. I like playing defense."

GRAY'S SOPHOMORE HIGHLIGHTS