Texas Commit Johnathan Gray Named Gatorade National Player of the Year

The awards keep piling up for 2012 Texas commit Johnathan Gray, the record-setting Aledo running back. In fact, the mantle in Gray household may need expansion, and soon.

The most recent in his long line of accolades is Gatorade National Football Player of the Year, an award given not only for excellence on the field, but also off of it. With the honor, Gray is now also eligible to receive Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year award, presented every July at the ESPYs.

It's certainly a positive for the speedy back with incredible vision, as he drew some negative attention to himself over the weekend following his ejection for two unsportsmanlike penalties for taunting.

Gray's list of accomplishments at the high school level is significant and lengthy. For a refresher, he's the crash course:

Gray rushed for 3,435 yards and 59 touchdowns on 295 carries entering the postseason round of four. The state's returning Gatorade Football Player of the Year, he also hauled in 22 receptions for 458 yards and five scores through 14 games. Gray set state records in career carries, touchdowns, points, 100-yard games and single-season rushing touchdowns. He became the third prep athlete in state history to eclipse 10,000 career rushing yards. He needs 50 points to tie the national prep career scoring record and five TDs to tie the national career touchdowns record.

According to ESPNHS Senior Director of Event Development, Brian Stumpf, as well as virtually everyone who has ever seen Gray run, the Aledo back is basically the prototype:

The blueprint for a perfect high school running back would include the speed to excel in track, the size to run with power and withstand 20-30 hits per game and the humility to ensure teammates will go to battle with him and put forth their best effort. At 5-foot-10, 200-plus pounds with sprinter speed and constant praise of his teammates, Johnathan Gray is that back. His on-field accomplishments speak for themselves, and his skill set should help him be very successful at the next level

Gray joins former Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert as a recipient of the award, as well as NFL stars Peyton Manning and Emmit Smith.