UNC Football: Cedric Gray declares for NFL Draft, opts out of bowl game

As expected, the UNC football program will be losing the player that became the heart of the Tar Heels defense during his tenure in Chapel Hill.

After accepting an invitation to compete in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, it was expected that UNC football standout linebacker Cedric Gray was set to move on.

Well, now it’s official.

Gray took to social media to announce his decision to enter the 2024 NFL Draft. As he prepares for the next level, Gray will not be playing in the UNC football program’s bowl game, the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, later this month.

The Charlotte, North Carolina native became a star for the UNC football program, as he developed into one of the country’s best linebackers. He earned two first-team All-ACC selections and finished his career recording an impressive 367 tackles.

Although it was expected that Gray was ready to pursue NFL opportunities, it still is a major loss for the UNC football program. Gray, along with Power Echols, became a linebacking duo that literally didn’t leave the field, as Gray’s production will take more than one person to fill over time.

If his time in Chapel Hill told us anything, it’s that he is more than ready to make an impact on Sundays for whichever NFL team takes a chance on him this spring. One of the toughest competitors on the field, Gray should draw attention from plenty of NFL teams looking for linebacker depth in this year’s draft class.

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