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UW This Season: Michael Ray returns as Wyoming's starting strong safety in 2008, after starting all 12 games as a junior in `07. Ray stepped into the starting lineup in Wyoming's secondary a year ago and helped the UW defense rank No. 22 in the nation in total defense and No. 30 in pass defense. He is a highly intelligent player, who earned Academic All-Mountain West Conference honors each of the past three years. 2007: Ray ranked eighth on the UW team in tackles, with 53 in his first season as a starter. He broke up four passes, fifth best on the team, and intercepted one pass against UNLV. His best games of the season came against Utah, making a career high 11 tackles, and versus Utah State and TCU, making seven tackles in each of those two games. Ray was named Academic All-Conference for the third straight year. 2006: Ray appeared in each of Wyoming's first eight games of the 2006 season before missing the final four games due to a muscle strain. Ray backed up Second Team All-America strong safety John Wendling. He recorded five tackles on the season, and broke up one pass, playing on several special teams. For the second consecutive season, he earned Academic All-Conference honors. 2005: Ray appeared in all 11 games for UW, primarily contributing on special teams. He was the backup at strong safety to Ron Rockett, who went on to play in NFL Europa in the spring of 2007. He recorded two tackles in his first season of competition for the Pokes, and was awarded his first varsity letter. For the first time in his Wyoming career, Ray achieved Academic All-Conference honors. 2004: Redshirted. High School: Ray was chosen All-State and All-Metro by the Tulsa World his senior season at Broken Arrow High School in Tulsa, Okla. He also was selected to the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State team. He was named the District Defensive Back of the Year as he led his Broken Arrow High team in tackles with 105. Ray was credited with one quarterback sack, three pass interceptions, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, eight pass breakups and three blocked kicks. He was elected a team captain. During his junior and senior seasons, his Broken Arrow High team posted a 20-5 (.800) record. Broken Arrow was 10-2 in 2003, captured the District Championship and lost in the Second Round of the State Playoffs. In 2002, Broken Arrow posted a 10-3 record and lost in the State Championship game. His head football coach at Broken Arrow High was Rick Jones. Ray was also recruited by Colorado State and Tulsa. Personal: Born April 28, 1986, he is the youngest of three children of Gayla and Gary Ray. His brother, Jason, is a wide receiver at Missouri. Ray is majoring in kinesiology and health promotion. |
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