Cherokee Trail (CO) three-star offensive tackle Travis Gray had a busy month of June as he basked in both official and unofficial visits, but now holds a top three with a decision coming by August 31. Gray confirmed that Arizona, Colorado, and Maryland are the three schools he’s focused on as the Wildcats and Terps have been longtime contenders.
But Colorado, his father’s alma mater, extended an offer back on June 21 and have made the 6-foot-6, 285-pound tackle through the summer. “I’ve been talking to CU since they offered. They’ve been on me heavy and they weren’t late to the game, but they had to get their team ready before they recruit the ‘22 class so I wasn’t mad at that,” Gray told Inside the Black and Gold. “With Colorado, they’ve been consistent. I haven’t heard from Maryland since last week because coach [Brian] Braswell is still on vacation, I don’t want to call him and ruin his vacation. Arizona, they just got back from vacation so we’re back on and getting back into it.”
Gray will head down to Boulder next week to reconnect with the staff, likely the last visit before he commits. Gray admitted a decision could come at any time but plans to be 100% committed by August 31.
“I put my date to August 31 because I want to be committed before the season starts. I may decide to commit in the next few weeks or if I see something from CU or Arizona that makes me push my decision. I will be down at Boulder on July 29 for an unofficial visit so with my commitment date, I can commit tomorrow if I felt like it but that’s going to be the final day for me to commit.”
The Wildcats have been consistently well-positioned through his recruitment and his June official still sticks out. “I think Arizona is a great place to live, great place to be and the coaching staff is amazing. They’re all a family down there and they have the NFL experience, I think over 100 years of NFL coaching experience at Arizona. I will be able to have all these coaches telling me NFL things and getting me prepared for the NFL, so that’s a big reason why they’re high on my list.”
Maryland has done well to build a strong relationship with Gray as offensive line coach Brian Braswell stayed consistent through the spring into summer. “For Maryland, what sticks out is the new facility. I loved the new facility and touring it, the football weight room, nutrition is a huge thing for offensive lineman and with that, the coaches. Coach Braswell has been a huge part in my recruiting process, he’s gotten me better. He has given me drills that I can do at home so that I can perfect my offensive line stance. I love Maryland, it’s a really special place.”
Proximity to home may be a tipping factor in his recruitment as the in-state school is making a strong push. “I love being with family. I have family down here in Colorado and that’s why they’re in my top three. My dad went there, he’s an alum and he’s been there. My friend also committed to Colorado so he’s pushing me, my trainer is pushing me to Colorado so I love the family experience and if I decide to go there, I’ll have people that I know and that I’ll be comfortable with.”
Gray has spent the last two years training with Matt McChesney, owner of Six Zero Academy, and spent Monday training with Packers tackle Billy Turner and Falcons tackle Sam Jones. “Being able to line up next to them and see how fast they go and hand placement, I think it’s real important so I’m happy to have them to lean on them.
Gray is rated a three-star prospect and an 85 overall, sitting as the nation’s 114th-best offensive tackle and eighth-best prospect in Colorado.