Interview: 4-Star LaBryan Ray Plays like a Tackle and Linebacker at End for James Clemens

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

College coaches are always looking for versatility in the players they recruit out of the high school or the junior college ranks. The athlete term is typically given to a player who excels at multiple positions possibly being a two-way star at the next level. One top recruit in the 2017 class not labeled an athlete but seemingly capable of playing five or six different positions is LaBryan Ray.

Make no mistake, Ray will be that dominating end at the next level making an impact for whichever school he chooses. At 6-4, 260 pounds, the Alabama native is a stronside defensive end with the ability to take on left tackles and tight ends stopping the run but can also rush the passer like a weakside end collapsing the pocket with his speed and power.

With his size and frame, Ray could add weight and be a force at tackle using his strength against interior linemen to terrorize college offenses. Being that unique player, if desired, Ray also has the athleticism to be a bell ringing middle linebacker crushing running backs across the country.

As is, some 40 different colleges have placed scholarships on the table hoping to persuade him to come to their campus when his playing days with James Clemens is over. The many to try includes Florida State, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas A&M, USC, Michigan, Duke, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Texas, and South Carolina. The successful six to make the final cut are Alabama, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Florida, Auburn, and Ole Miss.

Ray has made unofficial visits to programs like Ole Miss (June 11), Tennessee (June 18), Florida (July 22), Auburn (Sept. 3), Alabama (Sept. 10) and has many more planned before he starts taking his official visits. By the time his decision is made, Ray will have taken the process seriously documenting the positives and negatives that his top schools have to offer.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the four-star recruit, ranked the top player in the state of Alabama in the 2017 class, to get a rundown on his skill set, senior season, and his recruiting process to date.

Interview

Ray, how has your senior season gone so far?

“We’ve started off slow, not the way we wanted to. We got our first win last week which was big. Hopefully we can turn it around.”

How well have you played on the field so far?

“There are some things I need to correct after every game. I am still getting used to teams calling plays going away from me. I’m facing a lot of double-teams. All things I have to get used this year.”

What are some of the aspects of your game you are improving on from your junior to senior year?

“My pass rushing. My pass rushing moves and the use of my hands. Both are something I have been working on. I will need to use those moves in college and if I make it to the top level.”

What has been the biggest difference in your game from your junior season to senior season?

“I think the game is coming to me more. Also, I’m able to read blocks better. I’m becoming more comfortable in my position. I’m trying to put myself in the best situation to make plays.”

Did you max out this off-season in any of the football lifts?

“I did. My bench was 330, my squat was 515, and my power clean was 315.”

All impressive.

“Thank you.”

What was the best 40-yard dash you ran this summer?

“I ran a 4.9.”

How many offers do you have right now? I’ve seen some sites that have you around 30 offers.

“I’m probably closer to 40. I have offers from smaller colleges I don’t think they have counted.”

On July 31 you narrowed down all of your offers to a list of six. Is Alabama, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Florida, Auburn, and Ole Miss still your top six schools?

“Yes. They are still the same and all of them are recruiting me hard.”

Have you set up any official visits yet?

“No, I haven’t.”

Do you have any unofficial visits set up?

“Yeah I do. This weekend I am going to Ole Miss game for the Alabama game. In the future I’m going to see Florida against LSU (Oct. 8) and I am going to a game at Mississippi State game, but I have to pick that game out. I’m also going to the Tennessee-Alabama game (Oct. 15 at Tennessee).”

Have you thought about when you want to narrow down your list of top schools?

“Honestly, just going with the flow. I’m not really in a rush. I’m going to take all of my visits. I want to do what is best for my family. I should know what the best position is for me before I commit. I’m not trying to make a mistake, say I’m going somewhere and come back on that. I want to pick a place and know that is the place for me.”

You mentioned finding the right fit for you when picking a school, what else will go into that decision?

“Definitely the coaching staff. I want to see how I will fit in their scheme. Aside from football, I want a place I can call a second home. I want a place my family can call a second home. I want a place where I am comfortable. Are the coaches and players being supportive? I want to make sure I get the right pick for me and find the right scheme and atmosphere. The feeling of the place is also important. After all of that, I will make a decision.”

Have you thought about how you want to do your commitment when the time comes?

“Some people have asked me about doing a video. I don’t really know. I have thought about it but it really does not matter to me to be honest. I’m not about all of that stuff.”

Let’s get back to your team and play on the field. You mentioned you guys got your first win last week and are now 1-2. Will the (21-14) win over Gadsden City be that turning point to get the Jets back on track with a deep run into the playoffs?

“I hope so. We have to believe in ourselves and we have to have people step up. We need them to step up. We don’t need them to make the spectacular play but just to do their job. That would make it easier on everyone. Not make the same mistakes over and over. Simple plays, doing them right, and getting some takeaways on defense is all we need. I think that is a big reason why we lost the first two games. Last game we played good defense and we got the win. We need to feed off of that and improve off of that and then we can only get better.”

Who is the best player you have gone up against so far this year or last year?

“Tough question. I’ve played against a couple of them. I’d have to say probably Kendall Randolph (Bob Jones four-star tackle) is the best. We have known each other since little league. We used to play together when we were younger but split up in high school. We kept on growing and getting better. Every year we play each other we go after it. He’s going to Alabama. This is our final year in high school competing against each other.”

Are there any college football games this weekend you are excited to watch?

“Yeah, the Ole Miss-Alabama game. That’s going to be a big one. I get to experience that one up close. I can’t wait.”

LaBryan, good luck on Friday night against Sparkman and with your visit to Oxford for the Alabama-Ole Miss game.

“Thank you.”

Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com FREE!

If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!

Photo credit: 247sports.com; LaBryan Ray works past a lineman at a Nike camp.

Photo credit: al.com; No. 1 LaBryan Ray hauls down a ball carrier.

Photo credit: al.com; No. 1 LaBryan Ray pressures a quarterback.