MarQueis Gray

Last updated

MarQueis Gray
MarQueis Gray.JPG
Gray with the Bills in 2014
No. 47, 87, 48
Position: Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1989-11-07) November 7, 1989 (age 34)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:260 lb (118 kg)
Career information
High school: Indianapolis (IN) Ben Davis
College: Minnesota (2008–2012)
Undrafted: 2013
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:27
Receiving yards:328
Rushing attempts:11
Rushing yards:57
Stats at Pro Football Reference

MarQueis Gray (born November 7, 1989) is a former American football tight end. He played college football at Minnesota, and was originally signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He has also been a member of the Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and San Francisco 49ers.

Contents

High school career

Gray went to Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. [1] There, he was coached by Mike Kirschner, where he was a three-year starter. [2] He was rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals.com, as well as the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the nation and the No. 1 player in the state of Indiana by Rivals. He received four stars from Scout.com, which ranks him as the nation's No. 14 high school quarterback, and ESPN.com's No. 13 quarterback nationally, where he was selected to participate in the Elite 11 Quarterback Camp, and played in the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl, completing 3-of-7 passes for 56 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 41 yards and a touchdown. He missed the majority of his senior season after suffering a broken bone in his non-throwing arm, and saw action in just five games during 2007, including three after returning from the injury, and connected on 26-of-41 passes for 376 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 302 yards on 64 carries with four touchdowns and caught five passes for 86 yards and a score. As a junior, he completed 73 of 140 passes for 1,113 yards and 12 touchdowns, while rushing for 603 yards and seven touchdowns on 127 carries. He earned honorable mention class 5A all-state honors.

Gray committed to University of Minnesota on January 5, 2008. [3] Gray also had offers of football scholarships from the University of Cincinnati, the University of Illinois, Indiana University, the University of Iowa, Kentucky University, Michigan State University, the University of Oregon, and Purdue University. [4]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeight40Commit date
MarQueis Gray
QB
Indianapolis, Indiana Ben Davis High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)220 lb (100 kg)4.48Jan 5, 2008 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 80
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 14 (QB)   Rivals: 3 (QB), 1 (IN)   ESPN: 13 (QB)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Minnesota Football Commitment List (24)". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  • "Minnesota College Football Recruiting Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  • "2008 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 26, 2012.

College career

Gray was forced to sit out his true freshman season in 2008 after his ACT score was deemed invalid due to unspecified "irregularities." [5] [6] [7]

Gray returned to the team in the spring of 2009 and impressed observers in the Golden Gophers' spring game. [8] [9] Gray played in 2009 as both a quarterback and wide receiver. [10] [11] He had a breakout game against Ohio State going 5-of-6 passing for 51 yards and tossing his first touchdown pass, all career highs, he also had a career day running ball against the Buckeyes with career highs of 11 carries and 81 yards. [12] [13] [14] He scored his first collegiate touchdown on a reception against Cal. [15] He finished his freshman season with 265 yards rushing, he ended the regular season as the team's fourth-leading rusher. [16] [17] [18]

Gray played both positions in the Insight Bowl, inserted as a backup to starting quarterback Adam Weber going 1-of-2 for 11 yards, with three carries for 34 yards. [19] One of those carries — in the fourth quarter — resulted in a fumble, recovered by Iowa State who were able to run out the clock for a 14-13 victory. [20] Gray also caught two passes for 37 yards. [19] [21]

As a sophomore in 2010, Gray made appearances in all 12 games including seven starts at wide receiver, where he tallied 42 catches for 587 yards and hauled in five touchdowns. He also had 119 rushing yards on 23 carries while completing two of eight passes for 24 yards. [22] [23] [24]

Gray was named the starting quarterback for the Gophers for the 2011 season. [25] On the season, he passed for 1,495 yards, eight touchdowns, and eight interceptions. [26]

In 2012, in the Gophers' second game against New Hampshire, Gray surpassed Rickey Foggie and Billy Cockerham with the fifth 100-yard rushing game of his career. He was moved to wide receiver for the rest of the season to allow Philip Nelson to start. [27]

Statistics

SeasonTeamPassingRushingReceiving
RatingAttCompPctYdsTDINTAttYdsTDRecYdsTD
2009 Minnesota 83.415640.062114726506581
2010 50.28225.02400231101425875
2011 114.521310850.71,495881999666000
2012 146.0593457.647252723905121210
Total 117.529515050.82,05314113411,73112607666

Professional career

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Gray posted a 4.30-second 20-yard shuttle, a 7.25 three-cone drill, a 111.0-inch broad jump, a 30.0-inch vertical jump, a 15-repetition bench press, and ran a 4.73-second forty-yard dash, the fourth fastest time among quarterbacks. Though he played some wide receiver in college, Gray worked out with the quarterback group at the NFL Scouting Combine. [28] [29]

San Francisco 49ers

After going undrafted at the 2013 NFL draft, Gray signed with the San Francisco 49ers. [30] Initially Gray worked out as a halfback [31] but soon moved to tight end. [32] Gray was later cut by the team on August 30. [33]

Cleveland Browns

On September 1, 2013, Gray was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns. [34] He was used mostly as a blocking tight end and a fullback/H-back, and was also the emergency third string quarterback. [35] [36] Gray was waived by the Browns on August 30, 2014, during the final round of roster cuts. [37]

Minnesota Vikings

On August 31, 2014, Gray was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Vikings, [38] but was waived by the team on November 19, 2014, to make room for the newly acquired Ben Tate. [39] He caught one pass with the Vikings for 16 yards, in their loss against the Green Bay Packers in Week 5. [40]

Buffalo Bills

On November 20, 2014, Gray was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills, [41] On October 6, 2015, the Bills sent Gray to season ending injured reserve with a broken forearm. He would finish the season with just one catch for two yards in four games. [42]

Miami Dolphins

On March 31, 2016, Gray signed with the Miami Dolphins. [43] On December 29, 2016, he signed a two-year contract extension with the Dolphins. [44] Gray has taken snaps at fullback as well for the Dolphins, occasionally receiving short-yardage carries. Overall, in the 2016 season, he finished with 14 receptions for 174 yards in 16 games. [45] In the 2017 season, he appeared in all 16 games and finished with five carries for 14 yards and one reception for 10 yards. [46]

On September 6, 2018, Gray was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in practice, ending his season before it began. [47] The injury did not heal correctly, so Gray underwent additional surgery in March 2019, forcing him to sit out that year's season as well; he has stated that he hopes to return to the NFL in 2020. [48]

San Francisco 49ers (second stint)

On August 29, 2020, Gray signed with the San Francisco 49ers. [49] He was released during final roster cutdowns on September 5. [50]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGamesRushingReceivingFumbles
GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDRecYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2013 CLE 1226435.2180284.05000
2014 MIN 80000.00011616.016000
BUF 55000.000811814.841000
2015 BUF 40000.000122.02000
2016 MIA 167000.0001417412.453000
2017 MIA 1605144.02.9011010.010000
Career 611411575.21802732812.153000

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Fitzpatrick</span> American football player (born 1982)

Ryan Joseph Fitzpatrick is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. Fitzpatrick started at quarterback for nine teams, the most in league history. He is also the only NFL player to have a passing touchdown with eight different teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaun Hill</span> American football player (born 1980)

Shaun Christopher Hill is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins. Hill was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He also played for the Amsterdam Admirals, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, and St. Louis Rams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tarvaris Jackson</span> American football player (1983–2020)

Tarvaris D'Andre Jackson was an American professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL). Jackson played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Alabama State Hornets. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Moore (American football)</span> American football player and executive (born 1984)

Matthew Erickson Moore is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins and Oregon State Beavers before signing with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2007. Moore was also a member of the Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Miami Dolphins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin O'Connell (American football)</span> American football player and coach (born 1985)

Kevin William O'Connell, nicknamed "KOC", is an American professional football coach and former player who is the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He was the quarterback for the San Diego State Aztecs and was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft. He also played for the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and San Diego Chargers before retiring in 2012. O'Connell's NFL coaching career began in 2015; he held various assistant coaching roles on the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins, and Los Angeles Rams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Hoyer</span> American football player (born 1985)

Axel Edward Brian Hoyer is an American professional football quarterback who is currently a free agent. Since joining the NFL in 2009 as an undrafted free agent, he has started for eight different teams, the second-most in league history. Hoyer's longest stint has been with the New England Patriots for eight non-consecutive seasons, primarily as a backup, and he was a member of the team that won Super Bowl LIII. His most successful season was with the Houston Texans in 2015, when he helped lead them to a division title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Freeman</span> American football player (born 1988)

Joshua Tyler Freeman is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats, and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft. Freeman became the starter for Tampa Bay in his rookie year and went on to break numerous franchise passing records. However, he was released partway through his fifth year with the team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Tannehill</span> American football player (born 1988)

Ryan Timothy Tannehill III is an American professional football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies, playing wide receiver until his junior year, and was selected eighth overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 2012 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirk Cousins</span> American football player (born 1988)

Kirk Daniel Cousins is an American professional football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft. Cousins ranks fifth all-time in completion percentage with at least 1,500 pass attempts and is eighth in the NFL's all-time regular season career passer rating.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. J. Yates</span> American football player and coach (born 1987)

Taylor Jonathan Yates is an American football coach and former player who is the quarterbacks coach for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played professionally as a quarterback in the NFL. After playing college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, Yates was selected by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logan Thomas</span> American football player (born 1991)

Logan Lamont Thomas Sr. is an American professional football tight end who is a free agent. He was the starting quarterback while playing college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies in the early 2010s, where he finished as the school's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns before being selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft.

Max Garrett Shortell is an American football quarterback. He played college football for Jacksonville State Gamecocks. Shortell transferred to Jacksonville State after spending two seasons playing for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teddy Bridgewater</span> American football player (born 1992)

Theodore Edmond Bridgewater Jr. is an American former football quarterback who played for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean Mannion (American football)</span> American football player (born 1992)

Sean Thomas Mannion is an American professional football coach and former quarterback who is an offensive assistant for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers and was their starting quarterback from 2011 to 2014. He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft, and also played in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Garoppolo</span> American football player (born 1991)

James Richard Garoppolo, nicknamed "Jimmy G", is an American professional football quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Eastern Illinois Panthers, setting multiple school records for career passing yards and passing touchdowns and winning the Walter Payton Award as a senior. Garoppolo was selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft by the New England Patriots, where he spent his first four seasons as Tom Brady's backup and was a member of two Super Bowl-winning teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitch Leidner</span> American football player (born 1994)

Mitchell Leidner is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at Minnesota, and was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Mullens</span> American football player (born 1995)

Nicholas Clayton Mullens is an American professional football quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, where he surpassed Brett Favre's single-season school records for passing yardage (4,476) and touchdown passes (38). He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent out of college, and has also played in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. Beathard</span> American football player (born 1993)

Casey Jarrett Beathard is an American professional football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Darnold</span> American football player (born 1997)

Samuel Richard Darnold is an American professional football quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans and was selected third overall by the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Streveler</span> American gridiron football player (born 1995)

Christopher L. Streveler is an American professional football quarterback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Minnesota and South Dakota. After going undrafted in 2018, Streveler played two seasons as a backup quarterback for the Blue Bombers, where they won the 107th Grey Cup championship in 2019. He has also been a member of the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets.

References

  1. Miller, Phil (August 31, 2011). "MarQueis Gray seeks song of salvation". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  2. Fuller, Marcus R. (February 4, 2008). "Minnesota Gophers hope they struck gold in QB recruit MarQueis Gray". Twin Cities. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  3. "MarQueis Gray". Rivals.com . Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  4. "MarQueis Gray". Scout.com. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  5. "QB or not QB: With Adam Weber starting for Gophers, where will MarQueis Gray play?". Twin Cities. August 30, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  6. Rittenberg, Adam (September 1, 2008). "Highly touted QB Gray won't player for Gophers in 2008". ESPN.com . Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  7. "Eligibility issue forces Minnesota QB Gray off team". USA Today. August 25, 2008.
  8. "Gray Passes, Flying Colors: Backup QB Shows He's Worth the Wait; Offense Puts 2008 Behind It". St. Paul Pioneer Press. April 26, 2009. p. C3 Sports.
  9. "QB MarQueis Gray stars for Gophers in spring game". KARE11. Associated Press. April 25, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  10. "QB In Training: The Gophers' MarQueis Gray, Unlike Ohio State Counterpart Terrelle Pryor, Is A Young Quarterback Who's Being Allowed To Take His Lumps Away From The Spotlight". St. Paul Pioneer Press. October 21, 2009. p. C1 Sports.
  11. "Gophers at No. 18 Ohio State: Gray waiting in wings to be a 'playmaker'". Star Tribune. October 23, 2009.
  12. "Minnesota at Ohio State Box Score, October 24, 2009". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  13. "Ohio State 38, Minnesota 7". United Press International. October 24, 2009.
  14. "More Than A Shade of Gray: U Freshman To See Increased Duty in Two-QB System". St. Paul Pioneer Press. October 29, 2009. p. D1 Sports.
  15. "California at Minnesota Box Score, September 19, 2009". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  16. "2009 Minnesota Golden Gophers Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  17. "Marqueis Gray 2009 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  18. "Gray given wide berth Highly regarded QB says he's happy to help Gophers at receiver". St. Paul Pioneer Press. December 30, 2009.
  19. 1 2 "Box Score. Minnesota 13, Iowa St 14". ESPN.com . ESPN. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  20. Peterson, Randy (January 1, 2013). "Iowa State holds off Minnesota 14-13 in Insight Bowl". Des Moines Register. USA Today. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  21. "Insight Bowl - Minnesota vs Iowa State Box Score, December 31, 2009". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  22. "Marqueis Gray 2010 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  23. Miller, Phil (November 8, 2010). "Gophers fall, with a touch of Gray". Star Tribune.
  24. Katzenstein, Josh (November 7, 2010). "Gray finally gets snaps under center". Minnesota Daily. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  25. Miller, Phil (December 17, 2010). "Kill makes call early: Gray to be starting QB". Star Tribune.
  26. "Marqueis Gray 2011 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  27. "Marqueis Gray 2012 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  28. Hanzus, Dan (February 22, 2013). "Collin Klein asked to work with tight ends at combine". National Football League . Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  29. "MarQueis Gray". NFL.com. National Football League . Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  30. Goessling, Ben (April 27, 2013). "NFL draft: Ex-Gopher MarQueis Gray signs with 49ers". TwinCities.com. St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  31. Price, Taylor (May 11, 2013). "MarQueis Gray Adjusts to New Position". 49ers.com. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  32. "49ers Roster, 90-in-90 breakdowns: MarQueis Gray". Niners Nation. Vox Media. July 25, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  33. Pesek, Steve (September 1, 2013). "Former Gopher MarQueis Gray cut by 49ers". Gold & Gopher. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  34. Fucillo, David (September 1, 2013). "NFL roster cuts: MarQueis Gray claimed off waivers by Cleveland Browns". NinersNation.com. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  35. Andersen, Dave (October 7, 2013). "Video: Team adjusting to Brandon Weeden back at QB - Cleveland Browns Berea report". cleveland.com. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  36. "MarQueis Gray 2013 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  37. "Browns reduce roster to 53". ClevelandBrowns.com. August 30, 2014. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018.
  38. Goessling, Ben (August 31, 2014). "Vikings claim Gray, Harris off waivers". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  39. "Vikings claim RB Ben Tate Off Waivers". Vikings.com. November 19, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  40. "Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers - October 2nd, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  41. Gitlin, Marty (November 20, 2014). "TE Gray set with Bills as RB Tanner dispatched". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  42. "MarQueis Gray 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  43. "PRESS RELEASE: Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. March 31, 2016. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  44. Beasley, Adam H.; Jackson, Barry (December 29, 2016). "Dolphins, MarQueis Gray agree to two-year contract extension". MiamiHerald.com. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  45. "MarQueis Gray 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  46. "MarQueis Gray 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  47. Staley, Antwan (September 6, 2018). "Dolphins signed TE Galvin Escobar and place MarQueis Gray on IR". Dolphins Wire. USA Today. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  48. Tomasson, Chris (December 25, 2019). "Former Gophers stalwart MarQueis Gray seeks return to NFL after suffering torn Achilles". TwinCities.com. St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  49. "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. August 29, 2020. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  50. Gantt, Darin (September 5, 2020). "49ers make moves to get to roster limit". Pro Football Talk. NBCSports.com. Retrieved September 7, 2020.