Gonzalez Accepts Offer to Army
When Grafton defensive end Ray Gonzalez made the trip to West Point for a visit back on July 15th, he had an idea that it would be the place for him. More than anything, he was intrigued by the military aspect of what the place had to offer.
After discussing it over with his parents, Gonzalez decided the time was right to give a pledge to play football in college for Head Coach Jeff Monken and the Army Black Knights.
"The friendly environment, the nice campus and being able to serve all after college all appealed to me," Gonzalez told VirginiaPreps.com. "The coaching staff also is really nice. I like them and know they'll help me out."
Defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, a native of Glen Allen (VA), was the main recruiter at Army for Gonzalez. The 6-foot-2, 216-pound Yorktown product drew attention from Old Dominion and William & Mary, though the Black Knights were his first and lone offer to date.
Although viewed as undersized to play along the defensive line in most schemes at the next level, Gonzalez has proven to be a major force for the Clippers, one that brings some skills Army hopes to also put to good use. Last season, he was named the Ironclad Conference 18 Defensive Player of the Year with 101 total tackles, 19 stops for loss, 14 sacks and two pick-sixes.
"They recruited him as an outside linebacker. They're a 50 front (a setup similar to the 3-4) and actually pretty good on defense. He had a heck of a year last season and we're hoping he can build on that this year. Those are some tall numbers to catch back up to, but he's one with such a high motor who will try and want to do it," commented Grafton Head Football Coach Matt McLeod.
"I told Coach Monken and Coach Bateman that you're going to get a great kid, too. You want guys who are going to be there four years, buy in, do what you're supposed to do and never be an issue. That's him. He doesn't hardly say much to us. For what he wanted, he wanted the academy and he got it."
What does Gonzalez feel he'll bring to the Black Knights on defense?
"I feel like I'm really good as a pass rusher, but it's a team sport so I just want to do whatever I can to help out my teammates," he answered.
Gonzalez is the second commitment from the Class of 2017 in the Tidewater area to select Army, joining Woodside quarterback Tyhier Tyler (read more on that here).
With his home beyond this year solidified, it allows Gonzalez a chance to leave a mark at Grafton while preparing his body for what will be waiting for him up in New York.
"Now I've just got to focus on lifting, eating and doing good on the field," Gonzalez stated.
Matthew Hatfield has covered football and basketball since 2004 for VirginiaPreps.com, part of the Rivals.com Network, and is a staff writer for Tar Heel Illustrated. Check out Hatfield’s Twitter page for more sports related updates, and you can also read his work in the Suffolk News Herald. To contact Matthew, please e-mail hatfieldsports2k4@yahoo.com, and don’t forget to listen to him every Saturday at 10 AM on ESPN Radio 94.1, plus watch him on the Cox 11 Sports Report.