LJ McCray Knows Decision Time Line, Talks Recruiting
LJ McCray, one of the most unique 2024 football recruits. The defensive lineman from Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland is new to prioritizing the defensive end position after being primarily a tight end through his junior season. His upside has numerous college football programs offering scholarships.
McCray is getting ready to take an official visit to Florida State (Oct. 7). Florida (June 2), Miami (June 9), Auburn (June 12), and Georgia (June 16) are official visits that McCray can compare to the trip to Tallahassee.
Seeing this tremendously athletic young man go up against Jacksonville (Fla.) Raines last night, his ability to bend and get after the quarterback is unique for a player that’s roughly 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds. It explains why so many elite college brands are after this budding talent.
All of that in mind, McCray is a good-natured young man and gives his thoughts on the recruiting process. Let’s begin with his recent unofficial visit to see Miami host Texas A&M.
“It was a great experience,” McCray began. “Not only to get to the game, but I went with Zay (Zavier Mincey), so it was kind of like a little bonding experience between us.
“It was a great atmosphere. The fans were lit. The game, they were into it, like emotionally. I enjoyed that. But I also enjoyed watching the defensive linemen.
“I feel like they all played pretty well and in unison as a team. That was kind of my biggest thing. I wasn’t really focusing on any player.”
There to watch the contest versus Raines, Miami’s defensive line coach Jason Taylor. McCray discusses having a NFL Hall of Fame player recruit him.
“He told me, especially when I went down there (for the A&M game), he gave me a heads up that he was coming. I mean, it’s a Hall of Famer not only to come to see you play, not only just a Miami coach.
“He’s a Hall of Fame defensive end. He’s been in my shoes. So it’s definitely impressive.”
McCray is certainly intrigued by the idea of working with Taylor.
“That’s a big thing with Miami. That’s a Hall of Famer, you can’t really turn down a Hall of Famer.”
That being the case, the recruitment for McCray still has several more schools trying to grab his attention. Florida is gaining an unofficial visit from McCray today.
“Going up there (to UF) and have a good time. I mean, I’ve been there…a bunch of times. Just get up there again and see how the young guys that I took visits with, the freshmen, see how they are progressing. They’ve really been playing decently the whole season, so I just want to see it with my own eyes.”
Then there’s Florida State to discuss, a school that is receiving an official visit from McCray when it hosts Virginia Tech on Oct. 7.
“They (the Seminoles) were one of the bigger schools to recruit me hard early on, so I kind of feel like I owe it to myself because they’ve been there throughout the whole process and recruiting me pretty hard.”
Beyond Miami, Florida and Florida State, two more schools have a shot to sign McCray as well.
“Georgia and Auburn for sure. I mean, when I tell you that tomorrow was (National) Signing Day, if I had to pick a hat, it would just be which hat was put on first.
“I have no bad option. I have great relationships with all the coaches.”
He does plan to try and get back to Georgia for a game, and the same with Auburn. McCray goes into details about the Dawgs.
“There’s nothing you can’t like about Georgia. They put guys in the league, they are a winning program, and coach (Kirby) Smart and coach Tray (Scott), they are doing it.”
“I’ve got a great relationship with (Auburn) defensive line coach (Jeremy) Garrett. We have like 30 to 40 minute conversations about things of substance. I have a great relationship with (Auburn freshman) Keldric (Faulk) as well. I met him at FSU a while back, so I mean it’s like having a big brother.”
McCray has criteria for making his final college choice, too.
“I mean, my parents are to the point where there’s no bad options (for them) as well. So I’ve just been praying. I woke up a couple of nights ago, I have no idea (where I’m going). I probably need to get to it. At this point, it’s getting to me.”
As for a decision, McCray holds a good idea of what works for him.
“My birthday is Oct. 18, so probably somewhere during the back half of October.”
AllHurricanes.com is your home for all things Miami Hurricanes football, recruiting, basketball and other athletics, all the time. Follow along on social media at @AllHurricanes on Twitter and All Hurricanes on Facebook for round-the-clock news and analysis.