Eric Gray Bio
Eric DeWayne Gray, born on November 4, 1999, is a professional football running back and kickoff returner for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing around 211 pounds, Gray has built a reputation as a versatile and hard-running ball carrier. He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and the Oklahoma Sooners, where he earned recognition for his production and consistency. The New York Giants selected Gray in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he has continued to develop his role within the organization.
Early Life and Background
Eric DeWayne Gray grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and attended Lausanne Collegiate School, where he quickly established himself as one of the most productive running backs in Tennessee high school football history. During his sophomore season, Gray rushed for 2,251 yards and 38 touchdowns, earning the Tennessee Mr. Football award. As a junior, he elevated his performance further with 3,151 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns, repeating as Tennessee Mr. Football and being named the Tennessee Gatorade Football Player of the Year.
Across his sophomore and junior years, Gray helped his team capture the Tennessee High School Championship, adding significant hardware to his already impressive résumé. Rated as a four-star college recruit, he originally committed to play at Michigan before reopening his recruitment late in his senior season. He finished his high school career with a third consecutive Tennessee Mr. Football honor and a second Gatorade Football Player of the Year recognition, ultimately committing to the University of Tennessee.
Path to American Football
Gray entered the University of Tennessee as a highly decorated recruit and immediately contributed as a true freshman. He gained 539 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 101 carries while adding 13 receptions for 115 yards and a receiving touchdown. In the Volunteers’ final regular-season game against Vanderbilt, Gray rushed for 246 yards, a school record for a freshman, along with three touchdowns, and was named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week.
In his second season with the Volunteers, Gray led the team with 772 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 157 attempts, while also posting 30 receptions for 254 yards and two receiving scores. After the 2020 campaign, Gray announced in January 2021 that he would enter the NCAA transfer portal, ultimately choosing the University of Oklahoma to continue his collegiate career.
Eric Gray Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Gray’s early college career at Tennessee provided a strong foundation for his development as an NFL-caliber running back. His freshman performance, highlighted by the 246-yard rushing effort against Vanderbilt, signaled his ability to handle significant workloads against quality competition. By the end of his sophomore season, he had become the Volunteers’ leading rusher and a reliable option in the passing game.
Oklahoma Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Following his transfer to Oklahoma, Gray joined the Sooners in 2021 and produced 412 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 78 carries while also adding 23 receptions for 229 yards and two receiving scores. His role expanded significantly in 2022, when he took over as the Sooners’ featured running back. On November 12, 2022, Gray posted 25 carries for 211 yards and two touchdowns against West Virginia in a road loss, one of the most explosive individual performances of his college career.
Across the 2022 season, Gray carried the ball 213 times for 1,366 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns, while also catching 33 passes for 229 receiving yards. He eclipsed 100 rushing yards in eight games and scored multiple rushing touchdowns in four contests, cementing his status as one of the top running backs in the Big 12 Conference. That season, he earned Second-team All-Big 12 honors.
New York Giants Era (2023–Present)
The New York Giants selected Eric DeWayne Gray in the fifth round, 172nd overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 13 games, primarily handling kickoff and punt return duties while taking on a limited offensive role. On October 25, 2023, Gray was placed on injured reserve, and he was activated on November 25, 2023.
On July 22, 2025, Gray was placed on the physically unable to perform list due to a torn meniscus, an injury that delayed his return to the field for the early portion of the 2025 season. The Giants activated him on November 22, ahead of the team’s Week 12 matchup against the Detroit Lions, marking his return to active duty.
Driving Style and Strengths
Gray is recognized for his compact frame, balance, and ability to generate explosive plays between the tackles and in the open field. His track record of high-volume production in college, combined with dependable hands as a receiver, makes him a versatile back capable of contributing on early downs and in the passing game. His special-teams experience adds further value to his role with the Giants.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Gray’s career milestones are his Tennessee Mr. Football awards in three consecutive seasons, his Tennessee High School Championships in his sophomore and junior years, and his school freshman rushing record at Tennessee. At the professional level, his selection in the 2023 NFL Draft and his 2022 Second-team All-Big 12 selection stand out as defining achievements.
Eric Gray Career Wins
Eric DeWayne Gray has accumulated notable wins across his high school and collegiate career, beginning with back-to-back Tennessee High School Championships and continuing through competitive Big 12 Conference play. While individual statistical totals are clearly documented, formal game-by-game win counts for his professional career remain limited.
Oklahoma Sooners Highlights
During his 2022 campaign with the Oklahoma Sooners, Gray posted 1,366 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, eight games over 100 rushing yards, and four multi-touchdown performances. His 211-yard, two-touchdown showing against West Virginia highlighted his ability to produce at a high level against conference opponents.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his major college production, Gray earned Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week honors after his record-setting performance against Vanderbilt during his freshman year at Tennessee. His consistent production across both Tennessee and Oklahoma solidified his draft stock heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.
Eric Gray Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Eric DeWayne Gray was raised in Memphis, Tennessee, where his football development began at Lausanne Collegiate School. Public details about his immediate family members have not been widely documented in verified sources.
Personal Life
Gray focuses much of his public life on his professional football career with the New York Giants. Information regarding his spouse, children, or other personal relationships has not been confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season presented an early challenge for Eric DeWayne Gray after he was placed on the physically unable to perform list on July 22, 2025, due to a torn meniscus. His absence during the early portion of the season required the Giants to adjust their backfield rotation while he continued rehabilitation work.
Gray was activated on November 22, ahead of the team’s Week 12 matchup against the Detroit Lions, signaling his return to active game action. His integration back into both the offensive backfield and special-teams units will be a key storyline as the Giants navigate the latter portion of their 2025 schedule.
Looking ahead, Gray’s ability to regain his pre-injury form will be central to his role with the organization. With established special-teams experience and a proven résumé as a productive collegiate rusher and receiver, he remains positioned to contribute meaningfully for the Giants in the closing stretch of the season and beyond.