BJ Ray Football and Basketball Recruit?

[UNIhoops]

Maybe this is old news, but will he have any impact on the basketball court? I saw he was a football commit, but didn't realize he was going to play both sports.

B.J. Ray, 6-3, 205, ATH, Waynesville, Mo. (Waynesville HS)
2008 Missouri Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year … 2007 Missouri Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year … made 45 receptions for 677 yards … rushed for 230 yards … secured 110 tackles and made six interceptions on defense … won the state championship in 2007 … finished second in the state in 2008 … two-time all-conference player as a wide receiver, defensive back and return specialist … all-district honoree at wide receiver and defensive back … served as team captain … named his team’s MVP … all-state in track and field in the 400m, 4x200 relay and 4x400 relay … all-district pick in basketball … Mosports Top-50 player in basketball … a McDonald’s All-America nominee in basketball … high school coach: Rick Vernon … son of Charlotte and Billy Ray … high school teammate of current UNI Panther L.J. Fort.

http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs...=2009902130326

http://www.recruitingplanet.com/foru...g-b-j-ray.html

http://www.waynesvilledailyguide.com...-in-the-Ozarks

[Kyle]

I'm guessing he will not have an big impact on the BB team given the talent we have returning. I see him being more of a good practice player and potentially a role player in a couple years. This, of course is just speculation at this point. Hopefully I am wrong.

[Panthers to the Bone]

http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t...ns%2F%3Fsports
Two-sport standout B.J. Ray leads the Tigers with a 12.9 scoring average. Ray, a 6-3, 205-pound senior, accepted a scholarship to play football and basketball at Northern Iowa.


http://www.waynesvilledailyguide.com...district-title
victory and its third-straight district title.
BJ Ray, who scored 20 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and recorded 5 assists when all was said and done, said that this championship was a true team effort.
“It takes a lot of hard work to come together and do this when nobody said we could,” he said. “It feels really good.”

[Panthers to the Bone]

http://toledo.scout.com/a.z?s=361&p=2&c=853796

In the earlier game, the St. Louis squad — despite playing with only seven players — defeated the St. Charles team 138-120.

Leading the victorious side were co-most valuable players Bobby Peebles and De’Shaun Cooper. Peebles, from McCluer North High, scored a game-high 36 points and made six 3-pointers. Cooper, a dynamic 5-7 point guard from Jennings High, finished with 31 points and seven 3-pointers.

McCluer’s Jerrel Partlow scored 17 points in the win, while Parkway South’s Ben Hoener and DeSmet’s Nate Kroeker added 15 points apiece and McCluer North’s LeAndre Johnson had 12.

Hillsboro’s Kevin Kramer was named the St. Charles MVP after scoring a team-best 22 points. Northern Iowa football signee B.J. Ray, from Waynesville High, had 18 points. Sean Duff of Borgia, which recently won the Missouri Class 4 championship, had 15 points. Brandon McCann of Bowling Green had 10.

[Panthers to the Bone]

http://iowapreps.rivals.com/content....owa&CID=932456

BJ Ray listed among the top players in Missouri...ahead of a recent Missouri State commit.

[NorthernIowaBacker]

I see BJ is listed on the roster now. Think he'll play at some point?

[06panther10]

Originally Posted by NorthernIowaBacker

I see BJ is listed on the roster now. Think he'll play at some point?

well, at the very least, it will add a little more diversity on the team.

[NorthernIowaBacker]

Very good point. Even more intimidating just to have him on the bench.

[Catmandoo]

Did he get any playing time for the football team this fall? Or did he redshirt?

[Chitown Panther]

Originally Posted by Catmandoo

Did he get any playing time for the football team this fall? Or did he redshirt?

I think a couple of pass routes....probably a waste, RS would have been nice....

[paMANther]

He was dressed for tonights game and from warmups it looks like he has a very nice shot also

[TravelingPanther]

He sat with the redshirts....what can we assume from that?

[06panther10]

Originally Posted by TravelingPanther

He sat with the redshirts....what can we assume from that?

That he was going to get just as much PT as they were last night.

[TravelingPanther]

Originally Posted by 06panther10

That he was going to get just as much PT as they were last night.

Would you assume he is redshirting?

[SteinPizza]

Is anyone with knowlege actually expecting him to play? It would've been easier if UNI was still in the AMCU, but I wouldn't expect the preseason MVC favorite to have a dual football/basketball player seeing significant minutes. The level of player on the basketball roster should almost dictate that doesn't happen. It's not impossible, but very difficult, and should be.

I know Ray made some kind of McDonalds watch list in high school. At the time, I took a look at that list by state. The state of Iowa had lots of watch list players, like 30. That means that a lot of guys who are playing DII, NAIA, DIII are on that list. I'm sure Ray is a great athlete, but I would think it's unrealistic to see him play for an elite MVC team as freshman. I'd also think it would be very tough as a senior. Hopefully we continue to bring in players like Sonnen and Moran who have games far above (even as freshman) anyone from the football team who might make the roster. If we can't, then we're back to being a mid level MVC contender.

[Khan4Cats]

While I would generally agree that we should be able to bring in high-level athletes, who is to say that BJ Ray could not be at that level as well? He's going to certainly have a difficult time seeing any floor time this year, not from a lack of talent, but more from having come into a difficult system and missing the first 7 weeks of practice and I would hope he redshirts because of that.

But if he has the ability, I hope he is given the chance to work his way in over the next few years (though I hope he only ever really plays in MVC games because the football team will keep playing into January) and, with PTL or summer ball, he should be able to stay sharp with his basketball skills. He is a different FB/BB combo than we have had considering he is a WR and not a lineman that needed to bulk up like Howard or Pedescleaux. The football regimen should not take anything off his game in terms of quickness/jumping/etc.

For now, I'm happy he's on the squad because it gives another athletic body in practice situations-and a type of player it may be harder to simulate (big/long guard). It also allows someone like Anthony James to work more with the 1st squad.

[TravelingPanther]

Ray looked good in high school. I was able to watch film from a few games. I would guess he'll play a little unless he goes back to football only.

[SteinPizza]

Originally Posted by Khan4Cats

While I would generally agree that we should be able to bring in high-level athletes, who is to say that BJ Ray could not be at that level as well?

Could be, Khan. If he can pull it off, and it doesn't take away from football, then fantastic. However, I can't see him playing in the PTL and making a serious effort to see snaps in football. If I was a UNI coach, I'd want him catching passes, running routes, and lifting all summer.

I guess my point was more that someone like BJ Ray could probably see dual time at a school like SDSU, where they're good in football but mediocre in basketball, and play in a perennial one bid league for the big dance. If UNI is to be a league title contender year after year, then the level of recruit we need to bring in will beat out guys like BJ Ray, even if the "Ray like" player is a Senior, and the basketball recruit is a Freshman/Sophomore. Just IMO. To Ray's credit, that we're even having this discussion is proof enough that he's a talented athlete.

[06panther10]

Kind of random, but there is some cases of kids being successful in both sports at DI schools. I remember in the late 90's early 2000's Iowa State had Stevie Johnson, who was a solid player and contributer, if not a starter, on both the football and basketball teams.

So, its rare, but if the guy has enough talent, it can be done.

[r54uni]

Originally Posted by 06panther10

Kind of random, but there is some cases of kids being successful in both sports at DI schools. I remember in the late 90's early 2000's Iowa State had Stevie Johnson, who was a solid player and contributer, if not a starter, on both the football and basketball teams.

So, its rare, but if the guy has enough talent, it can be done.

I want to say "Chris Nuss" is that the right name. UNI???

[Panther789]

Originally Posted by 06panther10

Kind of random, but there is some cases of kids being successful in both sports at DI schools. I remember in the late 90's early 2000's Iowa State had Stevie Johnson, who was a solid player and contributer, if not a starter, on both the football and basketball teams.

So, its rare, but if the guy has enough talent, it can be done.

I don't think Stevie played football until after he used up all of his basketball eligibility.

[SteinPizza]

Originally Posted by Panther789

I don't think Stevie played football until after he used up all of his basketball eligibility.

I'm having a real hard time coming up with anyone who has played, and seen time, for multiple years at any of the state's D1 programs in both football and basketball. Maybe a guy who played for a year or two, like Austin Howard, Everette P, etc., but those guys rode the bench in basketball. I seem to remember Jon Buetjer trying to play hoops at Iowa, but again, on the bench and only for one season.

It's got to be real rare, and would probably be more likely where there's inequities in results of the two teams. In other words, the football team is bad, the basketball team is good, or vice versa. The inequity makes it easier for a stud basketball player to play for a mediocre football team, i.e., since the worse team's talent level is most likely below par compared to the level of recruits brought in for the good sport. Same in reverse, if that makes sense. In other words, you don't have to be a 4 star recruit in both sports to excel in both.

The best example of the above in/at Iowa has to be Mark Sindlinger, who started at center in football and wrestled at a high level. Same with Kenny Lofton at Arizona, but one of his sports was obviously baseball. Neither wrestling or baseball has near the national recognition as basketball, so football and basketball are the easiest comparisons. They're also the two which are most comparable in athletic skill sets, IMO.

[06panther10]

Donovan McNabb played Bball and football at Syracuse. Julius Peppers played football and basketball at UNC.

[SteinPizza]

Originally Posted by 06panther10

Donovan McNabb played Bball and football at Syracuse. Julius Peppers played football and basketball at UNC.

Damn, how could I have forgotten about McNabb? He's only mentioned in the media here about twice a week, especially when the Bears suck. Peppers, another good example...good points. Deion Sanders, Bo Jackson, and (cough, cough) Jeff Samardjzia are others, although Deion and Bo would probably slap me for mentioning him in the same sentence.

Keep in mind we're throwing out a small handful of guys. That's how rare it is. It's also pretty rare in upper level high school athletics to participate in multiple sports. I know that's the norm in smaller Iowa high schools, but not so much in nationally/regionally recognized football and basketball programs.

[9YRPLAN]

ron curry
rusty larue

[Kyle]

Terrelle Pryor can play both, but chose to focus just on football. IIRC he was a four star basketball recruit and a five star football recruit.

[CincyPanther88]

Greg Paulus played hoops at Duke and was Syracuse's QB last year.

[Panthers to the Bone]

Charlie Ward

[9YRPLAN]

tony gonzalez

antonio gates didnt even play football in college.

[06panther10]

Originally Posted by Panthers to the Bone

Charlie Ward

ah, very nice. Heisman trophy winner in FB, and NBA starter. Can't get much better than that.

[Panthers to the Bone]

Originally Posted by 9YRPLAN

tony gonzalez

antonio gates didnt even play football in college.

Anthony Pollard did the same at Bradley...before Gates. Pollard played basketball at BU, then went pro in FB and had a great career.

[Chitown Panther]

Originally Posted by 9YRPLAN

ron curry
rusty larue

Agree, Ronald Curry probably the best example IMO

[Chitown Panther]

Originally Posted by Panthers to the Bone

Charlie Ward

Sacked 8 times all year....3 times in the Orange Bowl by NU's own Trev Alberts...

[MnPantherFan]

Dave Winfield played BB at Mn but only after half the team got suspended after the Ohio St insident. Also got drafted by the Vikings even though he didn't play football. He could have been the original Antonio Gates.

[Knight Train]

Matt Szykowny. Anybody old enough to remember him? Started at QB on FB tem and guard on BB team at Iowa in the early 60's