Numerical Roster Countdown 2014: Day 36, Tyler Gray

We've got 36 days until kickoff, so today I'll highlight #36 on the Bronco roster—Tyler Gray

#36, Tyler Gray, Junior, OLB

Stats

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 224 lbs.

High School: Templeton High School, Templeton, CA

How'd he get to The Blue™?

Thank the grayshirt (no pun intended). Gray was a standout linebacker and running back at Templeton High School in California with nearly 350 career tackles to his name. Gray had an offer from San José State, but signed with Hawaii in their 2011 recruiting class. Instead of heading right to the islands, however, Gray was offered an aptly-named grayshirt year and was scheduled to join the Warriors in February of 2012. Gray already had his plane tickets to Hawaii in hand, but had a change of heart when he realized that Hawaii's staff (the staff he'd committed to) would all be gone after the canning "resignation" of Greg McMackin. So, the sturdy linebacker became a Bronco instead, joining the team in time for Spring camp. Just goes to show you, recruits aren't really "here' until they're here.

Nickname

"50 Shades"

This one's for the ladies.

Look-a-like

Brendan Fraser

Career highlights

Played in all 13 of the Broncos games in 2013, including seven starts. Played in all 13 of the Broncos games in 2012 as a freshman. CalHiSports first team All-State honors as a senior. All-Los Padres league honoree, as well as All-CIF Southern Section and Tribune All-San Luis Obispo County. Recorded 143 tackles and 5 sacks as a senior at Templeton and rushed for 1,600 yards and 25 TDs.

2014 prospectus

Gray had 7 starts and 43 tackles a year ago at OLB (or WILL), which makes it somewhat surprising that sophomore Ben Weaver was listed as the clear cut starter at the position in yesterday's reveal of the pre-Fall Camp depth chart (also of note, we only need 10 dudes on offense). Surprising, that is, until you look at the numbers. While Gray's output improved over his freshman campaign and his 43 tackles in 2013 were solid, Weaver was nothing short of a tackling machine—playing in just 12 games (with six starts), he managed to rack up an impressive 89 tackles with 4 tackles-for-loss. So, I'm not sure what more Gray could have done—the freshman Weaver just took things to an eleven. However, this actually bodes really well for this season as Gray has proven himself twice over of being a more-than-capable contributor at the OLB position and Weaver will need to start Fall Camp more slowly this year due to him rehabbing a foot injury. So, any rest Weaver will get will be well-needed and much deserved and there shouldn't be a huge chasm between Ben and his backup. Gray will also continue to wreck stuff on special teams, so he'll have plenty of opportunities to leave his mark this season. However you slice it, I think the LB corps looks as strong as it has in years and Gray should be a big part of that.

Is he on Twitter?

I don't think so...although it is a fairly common name and I didn't want to sort through 10 pages of results, so maybe.

Completely made up fact

Tyler has never missed an episode of Gray's Anatomy. He's still hoping to catch a glimpse of his elbow or torso on the hit show.