Henry County's Najee Ray helps out UTM football
MARTIN – Everyone knew Najee Ray could run. He helped Henry County win the 2011 Class 5A Tennessee state championship, running 15 times for 154 yards that December day in Cookeville.
He did it playing quarterback, completing 3 of 10 passes as the Patriots leaned on him and Shaquille Allen for nearly 300 rushing yards.
A sophomore athletically at UT Martin, Ray has slowly increased his contribution. The 6-1, 180-pound running back ran for a career-high 60 yards last week as UT Martin beat Tennessee State 21-16 in Nashville.
Sixty yards isn't overwhelming, but that modest production mattered on a day when UT Martin simply needed a solid, mistake-free offense to go with TSU's turnovers and penalties.
"He's a natural offensive player. He needs the ball in his hand," UTM coach Jason Simpson said Monday. "We tried him at the wide receiver [and] he wasn't a real natural fit."
Ray redshirted during the 2012 season and played periodically last year, earning 31 carries for 147 yards as he played in every game but one.
He did not participate in the Skyhawks' Oct. 9 win over Tennessee Tech, and Simpson wanted to change that for last weekend's TSU game.
"We said 'Hey, we've got to get him and [Obion County grad] Ladevin [Fair] on the field more, so it was good to do that this week," Simpson said. "We created a package, and they were both out there together. They were able to touch the ball and it helped us. I thought it gave us a little spark there."
Ray has been working on his pass protection, and Simpson likes how Ray is learning how to elude defensive backs.
Ray still must improve his fundamentals. Simpson chuckled a bit Monday recalling moments where Ray got downfield despite making a small mistake that might normally cost him yards.
"It's not always the most disciplined run, but he's got the ability to make a guy miss," Simpson said. "His things are paying attention to detail that prevents him from playing more, and lining up correctly — where his toes are supposed to be on a particular run, where his eyes are supposed to be on the run.
"Those are things that are going to come with experience. He's got to slow down and do those little things and let his natural ability take over."
JAROD NEAL: The junior quarterback entered the season sharing the job with senior Dylan Favre, but Neal has played the whole time the past two games.
Simpson said Neal probably wants to throw more than he has recently but is aware the defense is playing better and a more conservative offense has been working.
"He probably hasn't even looked at his stats, doesn't even know how many attempts that he had," Simpson said. "He's so good in our run game and managing the clock and being unselfish and being tough and staying positive. Those things, as a head coach, you appreciate that so much."
Craig Thomas, 425-9634