Johnathan Gray has added another honor to his lengthy list of accolades, as the Aledo running back was named ESPNHS's Mr. Football USA for the second time. He is the first player in the award's 42 years to be a multiple recipient, after becoming the first junior winner last season. The three-time state champion also broke the all-time national touchdown record in his final game. He is the seventh Texan in 12 years to win the award.
The list of former winners is impressive. It includes Vince Young, Peyton Manning, Derrick Brooks, Emmitt Smith, Andre Rison and Rod Woodson. The most impressive stretch might have been between 1972 and 1979 when eight straight running backs won it: Tony Dorsett, Earl Campbell, Billy Sims, Charles White, Freeman McNeil, Marcus Allen, Eric Dickerson and Herschel Walker.
Gray is committed to the Texas Longhorns, where he would join a backfield that includes current freshmen Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron.