University of North Carolina Athletics

Gray Drafted In The Fourth Round By the Titans
April 27, 2024 | Football
DETROIT - University of North Carolina linebacker Cedric Gray was selected 106th overall in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans. Gray is the 32nd North Carolina linebacker selected and the 253rd Tar Heel chosen in the NFL Draft.
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"I'm so excited to be a part of the Titans organization," said Gray. "I've been dreaming of this moment for a long time, and now that it's here, I'm just so thankful for all the people who helped me get to where I am. I want to thank my family. They've been with me through it all and it makes me proud to see them so happy. I also want to thank all of the people at Carolina. Even though I knew I could make an impact at the Power 5 level, UNC was the only place that took a chance on me and I'll be forever grateful. To my coaches, teammates, and the support staff, thank you for everything. To anyone that's had a hand in me reaching this dream, I want to make sure you know you are appreciated. Now, it's time to get back to work and make my mark in the league. I can't wait to get to Tennessee and get going."
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An All-American and two-time first-team All-ACC performer, Gray played in 51 games at UNC, making 37 starts. He recorded 369 tackles, which ranks eighth on UNC's all-time list, to go along with 8.5 sacks, 30 TFL, five INTs, 13 PBU, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.
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"Cedric Gray has been one of the great players of our second tenure here at Carolina and it's been fun to see him develop into the player and leader he's become," said UNC head coach Mack Brown. "Ced is a graduate of UNC, is tough as nails, plays through injury, serves as a role model to younger players and held everyone accountable. Those traits, along with his physical gifts and work ethic, are going to make him an asset for the Titans. We're so happy for Ced and wish him nothing but the best as he starts his NFL career."
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As a senior in 2023, Gray earned first-team All-ACC honors from both the league and the AP and was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award. He led the team and finished second in the ACC with 121 tackles to go along with five sacks, 11 TFL, an INT, four PBU, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Gray produced five games of 10 tackles or more.
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During his junior season, Gray started all 14 games at linebacker and tallied 145 tackles, a sack, 12 TFL, two INTs, six PBU, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. His 145 tackles and 82 solo stops both ranked first among Power 5 defenders. He earned second-team All-America honors and first-team All-ACC honors. Gray was voted a team captain and tabbed the William Fuller Defensive MVP.
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Gray took over his starting linebacker role as a sophomore in 2021, when he started the last 11 games of the season. He notched 100 tackles, 2.5 sacks, seven TFL, two INTs, three PBU, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
For up-to-date information on Carolina Football and the 2024 Spring Game, visit GoHeels.com/Football and follow us on Twitter (@UNCFootball), Instagram (@uncfootball) and Facebook (Facebook.com/TarHeelFootball).
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"I'm so excited to be a part of the Titans organization," said Gray. "I've been dreaming of this moment for a long time, and now that it's here, I'm just so thankful for all the people who helped me get to where I am. I want to thank my family. They've been with me through it all and it makes me proud to see them so happy. I also want to thank all of the people at Carolina. Even though I knew I could make an impact at the Power 5 level, UNC was the only place that took a chance on me and I'll be forever grateful. To my coaches, teammates, and the support staff, thank you for everything. To anyone that's had a hand in me reaching this dream, I want to make sure you know you are appreciated. Now, it's time to get back to work and make my mark in the league. I can't wait to get to Tennessee and get going."
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An All-American and two-time first-team All-ACC performer, Gray played in 51 games at UNC, making 37 starts. He recorded 369 tackles, which ranks eighth on UNC's all-time list, to go along with 8.5 sacks, 30 TFL, five INTs, 13 PBU, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.
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"Cedric Gray has been one of the great players of our second tenure here at Carolina and it's been fun to see him develop into the player and leader he's become," said UNC head coach Mack Brown. "Ced is a graduate of UNC, is tough as nails, plays through injury, serves as a role model to younger players and held everyone accountable. Those traits, along with his physical gifts and work ethic, are going to make him an asset for the Titans. We're so happy for Ced and wish him nothing but the best as he starts his NFL career."
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As a senior in 2023, Gray earned first-team All-ACC honors from both the league and the AP and was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award. He led the team and finished second in the ACC with 121 tackles to go along with five sacks, 11 TFL, an INT, four PBU, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Gray produced five games of 10 tackles or more.
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During his junior season, Gray started all 14 games at linebacker and tallied 145 tackles, a sack, 12 TFL, two INTs, six PBU, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. His 145 tackles and 82 solo stops both ranked first among Power 5 defenders. He earned second-team All-America honors and first-team All-ACC honors. Gray was voted a team captain and tabbed the William Fuller Defensive MVP.
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Gray took over his starting linebacker role as a sophomore in 2021, when he started the last 11 games of the season. He notched 100 tackles, 2.5 sacks, seven TFL, two INTs, three PBU, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
For up-to-date information on Carolina Football and the 2024 Spring Game, visit GoHeels.com/Football and follow us on Twitter (@UNCFootball), Instagram (@uncfootball) and Facebook (Facebook.com/TarHeelFootball).
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