- BEST IN STATE -

UNC football linebacker Cedric Gray named ‘Best In State’ Preseason Defensive MVP

Senior LB led Power Five with 145 tackles a year ago

Eric Lusk

Published

August 16, 2023

North Carolina football linebacker Cedric Gray led all of Power Five with 145 tackles a year ago. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire)

North Carolina football linebacker Cedric Gray has appeared on a multitude of preseason award watch lists this summer:

Lombardi. Bednarik. Butkus. Nagurski.

Not to mention various All-American teams (Athlon, Lindy’s, Phil Steele, PFF) and the All-ACC first-team as voted on by the league’s media.

Chalk up one more nugget of preseason recognition for the 6-2.5, 235-pounder from Charlotte: NC Football News’ Best In State preseason defensive most valuable player for FBS. There are several worthy suitors for this honor. We felt Gray, a senior, had the most impressive resume from an impressive list of talented defensive players from across the state.

Gray led all Power 5 players in 2022 with 145 tackles and 82 solo hits. He recorded 12 tackles-for-loss and a sack. He intercepted two passes, broke up six more, forced three fumbles and recovered two fumbles, helping the Tar Heels to nine wins and an ACC title game appearance. Gray tallied 14 tackles against Appalachian State, Georgia State and Georgia Tech. He had 13 tackles against Notre Dame.

For his career, Gray has amassed 248 tackles, 19 tackles-for-loss and four interceptions for UNC football. If you’re on the other team and you have the ball, he will find you.

“I just felt like last year, I really felt very comfortable on the field. I knew where I wanted to go, knew where to be and was able to make plays because of it,” Gray said at ACC Media Days last month, as quoted by Inside Carolina. “One of the biggest things that I’m doing now is really understanding how offenses are trying to attack defenses in today’s game, and what teams like to do, and what to expect on third down. Playing situational football. And I think that’s going to be a big separation for me this year.”

Gray had the chance to leave for the NFL Draft after least season. But he choose to stay in Carolina blue and white for one more year. Big things are expected of him in 2023 – and from the defense he will help lead. North Carolina has been picked behind only Clemson and Florida State in the ACC preseason.

“I haven’t won a bowl game, I haven’t won an ACC Championship, none of that,” Gray said at Media Days. “I’m a competitor. That really means something to me. I want to leave some type of mark here.”

Gray played his high school football at Ardrey Kell. He was one of the top prospects from North Carolina coming out of high school and hasn’t disappointed since joining the Heels.