Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 47 Days (Robert McCray)

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

#47

The summer is quickly melting away and our countdown is whittled down to just 47 days as we look at one of the most important pieces along the defensive line in senior defensive end Robert McCray.

Robert McCray (Senior)

-Height: 6’2”

-Weight: 280 pounds

-Hometown: Rockdale, Georgia

-Position: Defensive End

Robert McCray’s career at Indiana has flown by, since coming from Rockdale County High School in 2014. He played in 10 games as a true freshman in IU’s 4-8 campaign and made one tackle.

In 2015, McCray saw action in 11 of IU’s 13 games and played a bigger role on defense as he made 17 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks. He played mainly in a reserve role in IU’s 3-4 defense.

McCray had high expectations entering 2016, but the beginning of his year was derailed when he missed the first four contests do to a shoulder injury that required surgery. There were thoughts that it may be better if McCray used his redshirt year, but he came back early and collected eight tackles, two TFLs, and a sack. McCray didn’t have the numbers that were expected of him in 2016 and maybe redshirting him would have been better, but there is nothing anyone can do about that now.

2017 will be the Georgia native’s final go-around in Bloomington and the Hoosiers need it to be a big one. McCray has the ability to be the edge rusher they need to put the screws to opposing quarterbacks and take the defense to the next level. As long as he stays healthy, McCray will start at one of the end positions. McCray needs a solid final season where he has the impact that was is expected of a player of his caliber or his career as a Hoosier could be one filled with too many “could’ve been’s”. McCray’s college career has flown by and it’s time he makes some more noise on the field, before it’s over.