Super freak athlete? He was never that. He was never explosive, he was never elusive. Those superlatives were used in hopes that he would be a great gopher QB in place of accurate passer, field general and instinctive.
That's why it is so frustrating when you hear people equate timed speed and measured strength with being great football players. Super Wisconsin RB Montee Ball ran a very pedestrian Emmett Smith 4'65 (see where I'm going with that), mean while former gopher j. Bennet ran faster. I'm not saying he's better but I will say its makes quite the difference when you can consistently get to the 2nd level of the
defense before encountering a defender...you know, have room to show case your abilities as a RB.
Amongst the players the inside joke was about how Gray was the best gopher football player or athlete. What Gray was, is at the QB position he was imposing (coaches get suckered by imposing players at every level and sport.) He was also miscast and misused as a player. I loved Grays potential as a college football player. I think he could have ACTUALLY been everything folks claimed he was, just at another position....which is not his fault.
At a more successful program they have the flexibility and depth to find the best position for a player and the time to develop him. This is good for both the program and the player. Another key element is they have coaching continuity, as in coaches don't waste years figuring out what the previous coaches wasted years figuring out....Gray wasn't a QB. I would be remiss if I didn't assign some of the blame to Brew. While they did figure it out and never intended for him to play QB after Weber graduated, lack of continuity (I love that word) in offensive staff and scheme wrecked whatever chance this kid had as a college QB.
With that being said, a imaginative and established coach (you guessed it...continuity in the program), would jump at a chance for a undeveloped college football player with NFL potential.
