STARKVILLE — Coming out of junior college, Donald Gray thought his skills were going to translate well to the Division I level.
After a stellar season at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Gray joined the Mississippi State football team in the spring of 2015. He had big plans for his first season, and thought he could show up and rely on his athleticism.
Gray learned a valuable lesson after a few games.
“I learned I wasn’t as good as I thought,” Gray said. “I thought it was all about catching the ball and I thought it was all about running an OK route, but there’s blocking, running a crisp route, and reading coverages. There was a lot of stuff I didn’t know I thought I knew.”
Gray’s first season with the Bulldogs showed what he needed to work on. He had his ups and downs, but he showed flashes of his potential. As a sophomore, Gray made 21 catches for 386 yards and two touchdowns. Gray hopes he will be able to play a bigger role when MSU kicks off the season against South Alabama at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3 (SEC Network), at Davis Wade Stadium.
Gray played wide receiver and safety at White Station High School in Memphis, Tennessee. He gave up defense and focused on wide receiver at Copiah-Lincoln. In his one season with the Wolfpack, he had 55 catches for 989 yards (eighth best in the nation) and 10 touchdowns. He was the No. 6 junior college prospect by ESPN.com in the Class of 2015.
Gray didn’t have his epiphany until midway through the 2015 season. After not making a catch against Southern Mississippi and LSU, he had four catches for a career-high 140 yards and a touchdown against Northwestern State. He didn’t eclipse the 100-yard threshold again. He had a career-high five catches against Kentucky.
As the season progressed, Gray went back to the basics.
“I sat down, thought about everything, and watched a lot of film,” Gray said. “I started listening, writing things down, and going back home and reading it. I actually figured it out, ‘OK, this is the reason why I wasn’t playing.’ ”
After soaking in knowledge, Gray was excited to refine his game in the spring. But midway through the 15 practices, Gray hyper-extended his right knee and was sidelined for the rest of spring. He missed the Maroon and White Spring Game.
Instead of sulking and feeling bad for himself, Gray helped the younger receivers and gave them advice. He also spent time reflecting on what he learned and learned how to be patient.
“I’m comfortable but not content,” Gray said. “I’m still trying to find ways to get better and improve myself every day when I go out on the field. I want to earn the respect of the O-line, the running backs, and the quarterbacks. Earn everybody’s trust.”
Gray was fortunate enough to watch De’Runnya Wilson and Fred Ross. Ross led the Southeastern Conference and had a school-record 88 catches for 1,007 yards and five touchdowns. Playing opposite of Wilson, he received less attention and thrived. Wilson, who decided to forgo his senior season and turn pro, had 60 catches for 918 yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns.
Ross, who missed all of the spring with a groin surgery, is expected to take over Wilson’s role and attract a lot of attention from opponents, which could open the door for Gray.
“I think he’s going to have a big year this year,” Ross said.
Gray also learned the weight room can be a great tool in helping make the transition. He entered MSU at 190 pounds, but the 5-foot-10 Gray is up to 204 pounds.
“When I was little I really wanted to become a bodybuilder,” said Gray, whose father is a bodybuilder. “That was my obsession. I think I spent a lot of time in the weight room. I wanted to impress people when I walked outside, show off my muscles. I know it’s going to be a big factor in the game.”
MSU co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales said Gray’s strength is impressive.
“He can lift 45 pound plates. They had a contest of who could hold them the longest and he won it hands down,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales also praised Gray’s quickness and explosiveness.
With a handful of experienced players and a lot of young players trying to find their way, Gonzales has leaned on Gray and Ross, who have been asked to play multiple positions. Gray hopes the knowledge he has gained doing that will show on the field.
“I didn’t know that it was about learning the formations and learning the concepts,” Gray said. “You learn the concepts, you pretty much know the whole offense. Once you get all that figured out, the game slows down.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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