Saints Countdown to NFL Kickoff 2021: #48-46 Gray, Anzalone, Gajan

Saints News Network's Countdown to Kickoff: There are less than 48 Days until the New Orleans Saints Week 1 Matchup vs the Green Bay Packers on September 12th, 2021.

The New Orleans Saints are less than 48 days away from their Week 1 clash with the Pack. Here is a look at three Saints that have sported the numbers 48, 47, and 46: 

New Orleans Saints DB #48 J.T Gray (2018-Present)

#Saints on the board first with a safety thanks to this blocked punt by J.T. Gray.pic.twitter.com/Q21XCVXDPC

— Garland Gillen (@garlandgillen) October 20, 2019

Gray was an S/LB hybrid at Mississippi State and joined the Saints as a UDFA in 2018. The SEC DB played five games for the Black and Gold before being waived and re-signed to the practice squad. Following the 2018 campaign, the Saints signed Gray to a reserve/futures contract. In 2019, he was a breakout special teams star tying for the league lead in special teams with 16 tackles. The NFL recognized Gray's efforts as he earned second-team All-Pro honors at the conclusion of his second NFL season.

New Orleans Saints LB #47 Alex Anzalone (2017-2020)

Alex Anzalone snatches Goff's pass out of the air for a huge INT! #LARvsNO https://t.co/AZ25jw6KnN

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 4, 2018

Alex Anzalone is one of the most intriguing young players on the Saints roster when he is healthy. New Orleans drafted the Florida Gators LB in the third round of the 2017 draft. Plagued with injuries throughout his college career, Anzalone looked to be a draft-day steal for the Saints as he won the starting job as a rookie. Unfortunately, the injuries have followed him into the NFL, missing 26 games in three seasons. Halfway through the 2020 NFL season, Anzalone lost his job to newly acquired Linebacker Kwon Alexander. This offseason he signed with the Detroit Lions, joining former member of the Saints coaching staff Dan Campbell.

New Orleans Saints FB #46 Hokie Gajan (1982-1987) 

Hokie Gajan had a continuous 36-year affiliation with the Saints as a player, scout and radio color analyst pic.twitter.com/quoHUqbuYz

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 12, 2016

The definition of "homegrown talent," the Saints drafted Gajan, a Louisiana native, out of LSU in 1981. Gajan led the NFL in yards per attempt during the 1984 season, averaging 6.03 YPC. He remains just one of nineteen players in NFL history to average at least 6 YPC on a minimum of 100 rushing attempts over an entire season. After his retirement in 1987, Gajan served as a scout for the Saints before becoming the Saints radio analyst. He remained in that role until his death of cancer in April 2016. Hokie Gajan rushed for 1,358 yards and 11 TDs in his career with the New Orleans Saints.

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Follow Saints News Network’s Writer, Brendan Boylan, on Twitter & Instagram at @btboylan.

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FOLLOW THE COUNTDOWN TO SAINTS KICKOFF:

• 49 Days to Kickoff: Zach Wood
• 50 Days to Kickoff: Curtis Lofton
• 51 Days to Kickoff: Sam Mills
• 52 Days to Kickoff: Craig Robertson
• 53 Days to Kickoff: Vaughan Johnson