The nation’s top linebacker is headed to Honolulu.
Montvale (N.J.) St.
Joseph Regional’s Tahj Gray has committed to play in the Jan. 15 2027 adidas Polynesian Bowl, giving the event a player now ranked No. 13 overall in the 2028 class and No. 1 in New Jersey. Gray was also recently elevated to the top linebacker in the country.
“This was something I wanted to play in because I'm always willing to compete,” the 6-foot-3, 233-pound Gray said. “Doing it against the best is something I always look for.”
Gray’s name has been all over recruiting boards for good reason. He already has a long list of offers, has taken game day visits to Auburn and Florida, and is set to be at Ohio State on Nov. 7 for the matchup with Oregon.
For now, though, his focus stays on St. Joseph Regional. Gray wants to help the Green Knights finish the job and bring home a second straight state title before turning his attention fully to recruiting and then the trip to Hawaii.
“What excites me most is being able to showcase my talent on a bigger stage,” he said. “I hope to learn new things from different coaches and I will be ready to compete.”
Gray has put together another dominant season, lining up at linebacker or edge and posting 65 tackles in eight games, with six tackles for loss, 2 1/2 sacks and two interceptions. As a sophomore, he was even busier, piling up 102 tackles, 10 1/2 for loss and four sacks.
“He might be the best we've ever had,” said St. Joseph coach Augie Hoffman, who played at Boston College and spent time with the New Orleans Saints.
“His ability to explode through blocks, he's really worked on his ability to get low and beat guys on the edge. If we played him at strictly rush and that's all he did, he'd probably break the sack record in the state of New Jersey.”
St. Joseph has had four former players reach NFL rosters, and Hoffman said Gray’s tools separate him even in that company.
“He's fast,” Hoffman said. “His speed to power is as good as anybody I've seen and he understands leverage.”
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The uncertainty around Floridas quarterback situation is the wrinkle worth watching against Georgia, especially in a game where a backup can sometimes change the tone faster than anyone expects. Georgia still has the better resume and the deeper roster, but this is the kind of rivalry setting where a little doubt at the most important position can make a heavy favorite sweat longer than planned. [Read more 🡒]
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Florida Fans Are Learning Fast What Aaron Philo Really Brings
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Now the conversation has shifted to availability, which is always the hard part for a quarterback trying to settle in with a new team. Philo is working through a shoulder injury he picked up against South Carolina and sat out the next game against Texas, leaving Florida to wait and wonder how quickly he can get back to showing the full package that made him such an intriguing addition in the first place. [Read more 🡒]