MarQueis Gray
refer to caption
Gray with the Bills in 2014
No. 46, 47, 87, 48, 88
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
Total touchdowns:0
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

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.

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
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
MarQueis Gray
QB 		Indianapolis, Indiana Ben Davis High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 4.48 Jan 5, 2008 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   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

Season Team Passing Rushing Receiving
Rating Att Comp Pct Yds TD INT Att Yds TD Rec Yds TD
2009 Minnesota 83.4 15 6 40.0 62 1 1 47 265 0 6 58 1
2010 50.2 8 2 25.0 24 0 0 23 110 1 42 587 5
2011 114.5 213 108 50.7 1,495 8 8 199 966 6 0 0 0
2012 146.0 59 34 57.6 472 5 2 72 390 5 12 121 0
Total 117.5 295 150 50.8 2,053 14 11 341 1,731 12 60 766 6

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

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2013 CLE 12 2 6 43 5.2 18 0 2 8 4.0 5 0 0 0
2014 MIN 8 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 16 16.0 16 0 0 0
BUF 5 5 0 0 0.0 0 0 8 118 14.8 41 0 0 0
2015 BUF 4 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 2 2.0 2 0 0 0
2016 MIA 16 7 0 0 0.0 0 0 14 174 12.4 53 0 0 0
2017 MIA 16 0 5 14 4.0 2.9 0 1 10 10.0 10 0 0 0
Career 61 14 11 57 5.2 18 0 27 328 12.1 53 0 0 0

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. ^ a b "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.

External links

Minnesota Golden Gophers starting quarterbacks
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