Gray Earns NJCAA All-American Honors

FULTON, Miss. - Orel Gray arrived at Itawamba Community College as a newcomer looking for opportunity. He leaves as one of the most productive defensive backs in the NJCAA.

Gray was named a National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Second Team All-American after completing a two-year run that showcased his versatility, physicality and playmaking ability in the ICC secondary.

The Jacksonville, Fla. native closed his sophomore season by leading the Indians with 48 total tackles in nine games, including 36 solo stops. He averaged 5.3 tackles per game overall and increased that figure to 6.0 in MACCC North Division play while adding 2.5 sacks, one interception and four forced fumbles.

Gray's impact showed up in the biggest moments. He recorded a season-high 10 tackles in ICC's 44-28 road win at Holmes on Oct. 16, matching a career high he first reached as a freshman. In that game, he added a sack, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Earlier in the season, Gray delivered a defining performance at East Central, collecting a sack, forcing a fumble and returning a recovery for a touchdown in a 23-14 victory.

His foundation was laid during a dominant freshman season. Gray appeared in eight games and posted career highs with 52 total tackles and 39 solo tackles while averaging 6.5 stops per game. He became a disruptive force off the edge and in space, recording 10 sacks for 66 yards and 13.5 tackles for loss for 63 yards, both career-best totals.

Several of his most complete performances came during that first season. Gray opened the year with 10 tackles and two sacks in a 10-7 road win at Hinds and later added two more sacks against Holmes. His most explosive outing came in a 17-0 shutout at Northeast Mississippi when he recorded three sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss and helped anchor a dominant defensive effort.

Across two seasons, Gray developed into a reliable tone-setter whose production earned him MACCC Defensive Player of the Week and NJCAA Division I Defensive Player of the Week honors twice as a sophomore. He was also named First Team All-MACCC North Division, selected to the NJCAA All-Region 23 team and capped his ICC career with All-American recognition.

Listed at 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Gray prepped at University Christian School in Jacksonville and began his collegiate career at Florida A&M before transferring to ICC.

On Dec. 3, Gray announced he will continue his football career at Temple.

The Indians finished the 2025 season with a 5-4 overall record and a 4-2 mark in MACCC North Division play.