Liberty has added a commitment from NC State transfer wide receiver Julian “Juju” Gray. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
Gray, a former four-star recruit from Huntersville, North Carolina, played at NC State for three seasons. During that time, the 5’11”, 190 pound receiver totaled 30 receptions for 298 yards and one touchdown. In 2023, Gray had 16 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown.
The redshirt-junior made his biggest impact on special teams as a kick returner. This past season, he returned 17 kickoffs for 442 yards and a touchdown. He caught four passes for 50 yards in NC State’s spring game on April 6. He finished the season ranked third in the ACC and 11th nationally in kickoff returns with a 26.0 ypr average, that was the fifth-best single-season mark in school history. In 2022, Gray finished the season ranked third in the ACC – 26th in the FBS – in kickoff return average (23.8).
According to sources, Gray was committed to Western Kentucky, but the Flames were able to flip him to LU from its CUSA rival. He played as a slot receiver at Hopewell High School where he finished with 1,576 yards and 15 touchdowns in his two varsity seasons. He totaled 1,875 all-purpose yards and scored three special teams touchdowns.
Gray will be able to step into a role similar to that of Aaron Bedgood from last year where he can impact the game at slot receiver and also out of the backfield as a running back in certain packages.
