2015 NFL Draft: Is Shane Ray A Top Ten Prospect
Defensive End Shane Ray was a monster for the Missouri Tigers in 2014, and he should hear his name called early in the 2015 NFL Draft, but is he a top ten prospect? The Kansas City, Missouri native hopes that a huge Junior season propels him to NFL stardom.
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2011
Ray was redshirted as a Freshman at Missouri in 2011.
2012
In Ray’s true Freshman season at Missouri he was unable to find much playing time, and only managed eight Tackles, eight Assists, with 2.5 Tackles for Loss, and one Fumble Recovery.
2013
Ray saw significantly increased play time in his 2013 Sophomore season, and with the increased play time came increased production. He tallied 27 Tackles, 12 Assists, nine Tackles for Loss, 4.5 Sacks, and two Forced Fumbles.
Ray was a back up to future 2014 NFL Draft picks Kony Ealy and Michael Sam, but his production was still significant despite coming in as a reserve.
Ray made the biggest play of his career thus far in the Cotton Bowl game against Oklahoma State when he picked up a fumble and took it 73 yards for a Touchdown to seal the win for Missouri.
Ray was able to learn from Ealy and Sam, and was named the 2013 Spring Team Most Improved Defensive Lineman.
Ray also finished second in the South Eastern Conference in Forced Fumbles with two despite his limited playing time.
2014
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In 2014 Ray was given his first chance as a starting player, and rewarded the Tigers with an incredible season. He finished with 45 Tackles, 16 Assists, and 14 Sacks.
Ray’s 14 sacks in 2014 was good for the most in the South Eastern Conference and the third most in the entire NCAA behind only Nate Orchard from Utah who had 18.5 and Hau’oli Kikaha from Washington who led the FBS with 19.
Ray was named as the 2014 South Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Ray’s 18 career sacks is good for 16th on the South Eastern Conference’s all time list that dates back to 2005.
"Launches himself off the line with an explosive first step to beat tackles off the snap and can fly by and around them, showing the flexibility and balance to scrape the corner and close. He complements the speed rush with a quick jab-step back to the inside and a swim over the top to counter when opponents start leaning outside.-Courtesy of Dane Brugler and Rob Rang of CBS Sports"
Ray struggled with his run protection, and will need to prove that he can do more than just rush the quarterback to be as dominant in the NFL as he was in college. He could also improve his technique so that he doesn’t have to rely on his physical strength as much to make plays.
Ray is currently projected as the 8th best prospect in the 2015 NFL Draft and second best Defensive End behind Nebraska’s Randy Gregory. If Ray can put together a solid NFL Combine then he has a good chance of moving into the top five, but if he falters at the Combine he could slip out of the top ten.