Eric Gray, So., RB
On getting acclimated to college football last season and starting faster this season…
“I would say last season, for me it was just getting to learn how to be a college back. It took me a couple games (to learn) how to be a college back, get a feel for the offense, get a feel for playing in the SEC. I feel like I had to get a feel for that at first. Now that I feel like I have that experience, I definitely feel like I’m going to start fast.”
On if it feels surreal that they are actually about to play football given everything that has happened over the past six months…
“It’s definitely surreal being out there. So glad to be out there. Everybody is pumped up for the game. Just can’t wait for Saturday, for sure.”
On at what point he felt the most uncertainty in regard to there being a season this year…
“There were so many unknowns back in March when everyone had to go home and no spring and all of that. There were so many unknowns. We knew nothing about being at home for so long, but by the time we came back, and all the medical experts had all the information, we were pretty prepared and ready to go.”
On some of the things he had to learn to be a successful college running back…
“You just learn that playing in the SEC, those holes close so much quicker than they do in high school. So, you got to hit your track, you got to be aligned right, you got to make sure you’re doing everything right, so when your time comes you can hit it full speed. You got to make sure you know what you’re doing in the offense so you’re not tiptoeing. You can play with confidence and play fast.”
On having himself and Ty Chandler on the field together and what he’s seen out of freshman Dee Beckwith as a running back…
“First, with me and Ty being on the field, that’s just like a dynamic duo out there. You got to account for both of us because we’re two different types of backs and we can really affect the game. About Dee Beckwith, Dee has really shown a lot. You know he’s a taller guy, so him just learning how to use his pads and use his size to become a running back, I think he has a great place back there.”
On what he’s seen from the offensive line and how excited he is to run behind them…
“That group has really shown me a lot throughout camp. They are a great group. They learn fast and we have so much depth in that group. Those guys are really playing hard at practice. You can see at practice everyone is going hard and everyone’s ready, and I’m excited to get to run behind them on Saturday.”
On his reaction to Henry To’o To’o saying that they have the best running backs in the country…
“Definitely feel the same way. We’ve got the best defense in the country and I’m sure they’re going to do everything to get us the ball back.”
On his thoughts going into the season opener…
“I think it’s going to be very interesting. It’s going to be the first game of the season, so you know you have some unknowns there, but I think everything goes well, everyone plays great and it’s going to be a great game.”
On being prepared for the opener…
“When we came back in July, we did a lot of practicing doing player-led activities and all that. I feel like I got to practice a lot and just as much as the other guys. Come Saturday, I think everybody on the team has practiced a lot and is ready to go.”
On the excitement for Saturday’s game…
“With all the unknowns and everything is so different now, it kind of feels normal again. It kind of feels normal that this Saturday is going to be game day and everyone is feeling like football is back. It is kind of normal. You can feel the excitement on the practice field, you can feel the excitement in the locker room, around campus. Everyone is ready to go and play South Carolina.”
On if he feels the team has been able to hit enough in practice and his comfort after getting hit in a game…
“I think Coach (Jeremy) Pruitt has done a great job simulating that game atmosphere trying to get us ready to take hits, take licks early. You see those early games on TV and there have been a lot of turnovers because people haven’t taken hits. They haven’t been hitting. I think we’ve done a great job of simulating that in practice, playing with full pads on in practice. And yeah, I’m definitely that kind of guy. Once you get in the game and take that first hit, I’m like, ‘I’m ready to go, let’s get it, give it to me again.’”
On the hardest hitter on the defense…
“Man, I’m telling you, that whole defense is (full of) hard hitters. When you run that ball and have 11 people coming at your head, all of them feel the same. That whole defense is going to be some hard hitters this season.”
On who gives the best pregame speech aside from Coach Pruitt…
“Just from being in practice, Coach (Jay) Graham is going to give a heck of a pregame speech. Just all the juice that he brings to practice and the juice that he brings just being in the meeting room looking over film. I’m interested to hear his pregame speech on Saturday.”
-UT Athletics
