Nickname: Friendly
High School: Montevallo
HS Number: 30
AL Number: 33
Official Visits: Alabama
Second Choice: Auburn
Host During Alabama Visit: Shawn Draper
Committed: December 4, 1997
Academic Status: Not Qualified

Stats

HS Junior Season

Rushing

205 carries
1764 yards
8.6 yards per carry
17 TDs

HS Senior Season

Rushing

258 carries
2281 yards
8.8 yards per carry
32 TDs

Career

Rushing

728 carries
6152 yards
8.5 yards per carry
71 TDs

Honors

Two-time All-County
Two-time All-State
All Super Metro
Tuscaloosa News Sweet 16
Tuscaloosa News Preseason Sweet 16
Super Seniors Team
USA Today Honorable Mention All-American
Pigskin Preps Super South 75
Forrest Davis First Team All-South
SuperPrep All-American
Prep Star All-American
AL-MS All-Star Game

Stories

Speed, Moves and Hands

According to Ronnie Cottrell, the key ingredient in recruiting is speed. If that’s true, then Alabama has hit the jackpot with Shontua Ray.

"He’s so fast that I never tell anyone his times because they won’t believe me," says Montevallo coach Eddie Williams. "Not too many people have that extra gear like he has."

Some people may not believe the coach, but the record books don’t lie. At last year’s state track meet Shontua ran an electronically timed 10.59 in the 100 meters and a 21.46 in the 200 meters. Both times are state records.

But Shontua’s not just another track guy trying to play football. He’s gifted with more than speed. He has the natural instincts that all of the great ones have. He can stiff-arm one defender, juke another, and then put on a spin move that leaves an entire defense grasping air.

"I try to make something happen when I’ve got the ball," Shontua says. "I just do whatever comes natural."

One person who should know Shontua’s moves particularly well is teammate and fellow Alabama signee, offensive tackle Ray Marshall. Marshall paved the way for Shontua to rush for 3,800 yards and 49 TDs.

"He’s a lot like Barry Sanders," Marshall says. "It’s almost hard to block for him because he cuts so quick that you never know which direction he’s going."

Alabama’s new offense will feature a one-back set. Catching the football will become as important as running with it. Tide assistant coach Charlie Stubbs would like for the running back to catch 10 passes a game. And Coach Eddie Williams says that won’t be a problem for Shontua.

"He’s got great hands. He could be an outstanding receiver," Williams says. "With his speed, if he’s gets isolated on a linebacker it’s over. He’s going to add a new dimension to Alabama’s offense."

Making The Grade

Rumors abound about his grades, but those close to Shontua Ray believe he has an excellent chance to qualify.

"He’s got his core GPA and we think he’ll pass his ACT," says Montevallo coach Eddie Williams. "The only worry we have is him passing the exit exam."

Shontua is now enrolled in a course to help with the exit exam.

"He has a learning disability in math," Williams says. "But he’s working very hard to overcome it. He’s done very well in the other areas of the test."

On his ACT Shontua has a 16. He must make at least a 17 to become eligible.

On The Recruiting Trail …

Just One Visit

Nebraska tried to recruit him. So did Penn State and Ohio State. But Shontua Ray only needed to take one visit to know where he wanted to play college football.

"The atmosphere, the coaches, the players, it’s close to home … everything just seemed right about Alabama," Shontua says.

But what about Auburn? There were reports that Shontua had grown up a big fan of the Tigers.

"I took a few unofficial visits to Auburn during the season. It was okay. I knew all along that Alabama was the best for me."

Montevallo Blue-Chippers

This year Shontua Ray was the star at Montevallo. Next year Leonard Fulgham will be the man.

"He’s a great athlete!" Shontua says. "When Leonard touches the ball he finds the end zone."

Will Fulgham follow in the footsteps of Shontua Ray and Ray Marshall?

"I know that he likes Alabama a whole lot," Shontua says. "We have a lot of people at our school who want to be at Alabama. I wouldn’t be surprised if Leonard ends up there."

Montevallo coach Eddie Williams says he has another player worth watching. DE Travis Smith, 6’3, 240, 4.8, has drawn some attention from several schools, including Alabama.

Q&A

TI: Describe yourself as a player.

SR: I have good speed and vision. I see the whole field when I’m running. I like to run north-south, but I’ve got some pretty good moves too. My speed and hands are the two things that will help me most on Alabama’s new offense.

TI: And what type of offense do you expect Alabama to use?

SR: I think there will be a lot of receivers spreading the defense which will give the running game a little more room. The running backs will be running and catching the ball.

TI: Getting back to your speed. You’re one of the top HS sprinters in Alabama. What are some of your biggest accomplishments?

SR: The one that I’m most proud of is the state record in the 200 meters [21.46]. I’ll break that record this year. I ran a 10.5 to win the state championship in the 100 meters last year. I really had a bad start in that race. I think I’ll break that record too.

TI: Can you clarify exactly where you stand academically?

SR: I need to pass the ACT. I need one more point to qualify. I’ve taken the test again and I’m waiting to see how I did. I think I did pretty good this time.

TI: Obviously you have made a lot of improvement in the classroom.

SR: When I was a freshman and sophomore, college never once crossed my mind. I didn’t understand the importance of school. Once I realized the opportunities I would have I began to study more. I’ve made the honor roll a couple of times this year. School is important to me now.

TI: Do you think Alabama can turn it around anytime soon?

SR: From what I’ve seen of the players they already have and from the one’s coming in next year, Alabama will be on top again. In two or three more years, it’ll be the same old Alabama again.

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