The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Gray looking to bounce back
08.06.2014 | Football
Junior running back is nearing full strength after Achilles injury
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When Texas running back Johnathan Gray went down in the third quarter of West Virginia game last November, he didn't know what happened.
"I thought one of my linemen had kicked me in the back of my foot real bad, and I looked back, and no one was behind me," said Gray.
It was then he realized that he tore his Achilles tendon. It was a season-ending injury for the Aledo, Texas, native who has developed a reputation as a team-first, selfless player. His first thought when he realized the severity of the injury was of his teammates.
"For a minute I was kind of mad because I couldn't be with my team and help my teammates out," said Gray. "But I helped them from the sideline trying to be a leader."
Doctors said his injury would require surgery and might take eight months to a year to heal fully. Gray was cleared to participate in fall camp with the Longhorns less than nine months after his surgery.
"I'm a fast healer from what I've experienced," said Gray, who is heading into his junior year. "Everybody was surprised at how I came back, but like I've said, with months of rehab and being in the training room constantly and trying to get back, it really paid off. I'm at about 95 percent. There's a little soreness, but that's to be expected. Once we get in the deep heart of two-a-days I'll be 100 percent and ready to go."
The Longhorns ended the 2013 season without five starters including linebacker Jordan Hicks who also suffered an Achilles injury. Gray and Hicks, whose injury came in the third game of the season vs. K-State, spent much of their recovery time together. Gray has said he thought of Hicks as a big brother throughout his rehabilitation, reminding him that coming back from a serious injury is something you need to take day by day.
The road to recovery wasn't always easy, with Gray feeling like he would fall behind his teammates by missing spring ball. He attributes his positive attitude and work ethic throughout his journey to head coach Charlie Strong and strength & conditioning coach Pat Moorer, as well as from his family, teammates, and the Longhorn fan base. Having support from so many people helped Gray push himself through rehab and Moorer's strenuous conditioning workouts to be cleared to participate in camp, but the work didn't end there.
Gray says that Strong and his coaching staff run high-energy practices, working the team with a sense of urgency and that the team has embraced the philosophy with open arms, wanting to work and play hard for Strong and the coaching staff.
It is with that mindset that Gray hopes to build on what has already been a productive career. Despite missing the final four games of the 2013 season, Gray rushed for 780 yards, ranking second on the team to Malcolm Brown. He is already 28th on the UT all-time rushing list with 1,481 yards, and has four 100-yard rushing games in his career.
Paired with Brown, Texas possesses one of the most talented running back duos in the country. The two veterans will be relied upon heavily to lead the offense, a role Gray embraces.
"As backs we always feel like it's our job to get the offense going," said Gray. "Once a back is in, it's your duty to do your work and execute the play. Regardless of the carries that you get or the amount of time you got, when you get in the game you know it's your time."
Gray will also be responsible for helping bring along younger players such as such as freshman Donald Catalon at a positional group that isn't the deepest on the team.
"As a young guy coming in as a freshman, I knew I needed some older guys to help me, to show me the ropes," said Gray. "We're going to need [Donald]. We have to be big brothers to him."
As fall camp begins, Gray – a member of the preseason watch lists for the 2014 Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award - is in good spirits in regards to both his injury and his team and looks forward to the 2014 season.
"It feels great to be back with the team, with my boys," said Gray. "Everything is going steady as of right now. I can't wait to get deeper into it and get ready for the season."
