He was poked and prodded. He wrote four different variations of aptitude tests, underwent personality tests, and conducted interviews with about 15 National Football League teams.
Now, Geoff Gray isn’t sure of that last number because, frankly, the University of Manitoba offensive lineman is still recovering from the mental fatigue of a week-long visit to St. Petersburg, Fla. and the East-West Shrine Game.
And so, the 22-year-old Winnipegger was ecstatic to be back home and back at school putting the finishing touches on his mechanical engineering degree.
“It’s a broad field,” began Gray. “I’m looking at specializing in thermo-fluid stuff… HVac heating and cooling, industrial steam processes…
“It’s a lot of fancy words, but at the end of the day it’s taking fluids and making them do stuff.”
That last answer is a peek at what makes the 6-6, 310-pound Gray one of the most intriguing prospects heading into the Canadian Football League Draft in May. And possibly as an NFL prospect like former Bisons Izzy Idonije and David Onyematta.
Gray is ridiculously strong – he is also a competitive Olympic lifter – and carries his weight well on his frame. Just as impressive is the intelligence he brings to the game and his leadership, as he was one of the Bison’s captains this past season.
Currently ranked fifth in the CFL’s Scouting Bureau draft rankings, Gray was invited to the East-West Shrine Game in Florida – along with Laval receiver Antony Duclair of Laval.
Gray said his week leading up to last Saturday’s bowl game was a whirlwind that combined the mental and physical testing along with all the on-field work. He was an unknown to most heading into the week, but exited feeling he had made a favourable impression.
It helps, too, that Idonije and Onyematta have blazed a trail before him.
“I had some people come up to me after practice and say, ‘We really had no idea who you were beforehand’ but seemed to be impressed with what I did,” said Gray.
“With Dave going down there (to the New Orleans Saints) last year I just think people are more aware now of where Manitoba is. I’m not surprised because the Canadian players who do play (in the Shrine game) usually do well.”
“It was a really good experience. It was definitely more than I anticipated. The football down there is totally different than anything up here.”
Gray threw a key block in the Shrine Game’s only TD – an 18-yard TD run by Eli McGuire – and got a shout-out during the NFL Network’s telecast of the game from analyst Mike Mayock.
Funny thing is, Gray can hardly remember the play.
Touchdown @umbisons! @Shrine_Game @USPORTSca #CFL #CFLDraft pic.twitter.com/JZb5u2U3tP
— Marshall Ferguson (@TSN_Marsh) January 21, 2017
“I heard about that. A lot of people told me about it,” said Gray. “But I honestly don’t remember the play that clearly. Still, that’s definitely good to get my name out there, especially coming from a smaller school.”
That’s the point of the whole East-West Shrine Game and this weekend’s Senior Bowl: to get these prospects some attention under the eyes of pro scouts. Gray had been focussing almost exclusively on playing in the CFL, but this past weekend has given him even more attention.
“In all honesty, I hadn’t anticipated any NFL interest,” said Gray. “Even through this season I felt like I was having a good year, but this never really occurred to me.
“It’s all new to me, but it’s better to have options.”
