Each season, Gatorade recognizes one student-athlete from each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. who embodies its Player of the Year program’s three pillars: athletic production, academic achievement and exemplary character.
Each week during its Gatorade State Player of the Year selection process, USA TODAY surfaces one candidate who meets those criteria and deserves recognition as a serious Gatorade State Player of the Year contender.
Name: A.J. Gray
School: Washington County (Sandersville, Ga.)
Sport: Football
Class: Senior
Athletic Production: Gray is considered one of Georgia’s best prep quarterback prospects, will most likely play safety at Georgia Tech and added a Second Team All-State honor in basketball to his resume this past winter. And he still may not be the best athlete in his own family.
That honor probably still belongs to his sister Allisha Gray, the 2011-12 Gatorade Georgia Girls Basketball Player of the Year. She averaged 13.9 points and 5.5 rebounds as a freshman during North Carolina’s run to the Elite Eight in March. Still, A.J. isn’t far behind his big sister.
Midway through his senior season, Washington County’s 6-foot-1, 195-pound quarterback is already approaching 1,000 yards both passing and rushing. During the Golden Hawks’ 6-0 start, Gray completed 40 of 67 passes (60 percent) for 893 yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for another 789 yards and 14 scores on 83 carries.
Not bad, considering quarterback isn’t even his best position. In the defensive backfield, Gray has also collected 24 tackles and returned two of his three interceptions for touchdowns through six games.
As a junior, Gray led Washington County’s football and basketball programs to the Class AAA state final and quarterfinals, respectively. His sister led the Golden Hawks to the 2011 state title on the court, so there are a couple trophies in the Gray household he’d like to replicate.
Academic Achievement: Gray has maintained an A average.
Exemplary Character: Somewhat of a celebrity in small-town Sandersville, Gray has donated his time generously to the area youth that admire his accomplishments on and off the field. In addition to serving as an instructor at football and basketball camps, he has volunteered as a member of his school’s student council, at a charitable road race and on behalf of Rotary Club International.