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Shane Ray, Tigers Defensive End, Headed To NFL

By Derek Franks

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In a not so surprising move, the Missouri Tigers unquestionable most valuable player from the 2014 season, Shane Ray, will depart the program early to head to the NFL.

Shane Ray is Mizzou’s 2014 MVP. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The reigning SEC Defensive player of the year and All-American defensive end will look to take advantage of the spotlight that’s been placed squarely on him since he made the first of his 15 sacks in the early moments of 2014.

Ray made the announcement Wednesday, one week removed from the Tigers big New Years’ day bowl win, 33-17 over the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Tigers watched Ray morph into a budding star as the season went along. He tormented quarterbacks, created nightmares for offensive lines and seemed to single-handedly win games for Mizzou in 2014.

Mizzou surprised many college football fans and experts by taking a young, inexperienced and oft-injured team to 11 wins and an SEC East division title.

The Tigers secured their second consecutive season with at least 11 wins and their second straight SEC Championship game appearance; it was a lot in part thanks to the defense. The leader of that defense was Shane Ray, who lead the SEC in sacks and was third in the conference in tackles for a loss.

Ray was rewarded for his sharp play. He locked down the SEC Defensive player of the year, the Associated Press defensive player of the year, the award for the best overall defensive lineman and was decorated with first-team All-American honors.

Shane Ray will now be getting after NFL quarterbacks. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Of course, Ray is in good company. He is the second defensive end in as many years to come out of Mizzou as the SEC defensive player of the year, following in the footsteps of Michael Sam, who also was drafted in the 2014 NFL draft.

But Ray may even up the anti. He’s expected to be selected early in the 2015 draft. Early predictions have him going as early as the first or second round. There would be no surprise if he was taken in the first 25 picks.

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    • He will make an impact in the pro league.

    Ray’s quickness, strength, agility and high football intellectual smarts are rarely seen from a defensive lineman and will make him a great grab for any NFL team. He may take some time to nurture into his full potential, much like he did in college. But he will be a key selection for whatever team takes the opportunity to pick him.

    It will be another great accomplishment for the Tigers’ shining star from the 2014 season. Mizzou Nation will be done proud once again by another bright sport for the football program, even if they are very saddened to see him leave. The Tigers will no doubt have a lot of work to do filling the shoes of Ray and the graduating Golden.

    For Ray though, it will be some serious icing on the cake for a 2014-2015 stretch. It will be a great thing to hear NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announce “Shane Ray” in the 2015 draft. And it certainly will be deserved.

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