'18 TN OL (RS JR) - Max Wray (Transfer to Colorado)

Max Wray is no longer with his high school football team. It does NOT affect his standing with Ohio State. https://t.co/aLHmfzFQXI

— Andrew Lind (@AndrewMLind) October 25, 2017

 

A little bit on the Max Wray situation

As mentioned on Land of 10 earlier Wednesday, Ohio State commit Max Wray and his brother Jake, a top 2020 recruit, have left the football team at Franklin (Tenn.) High School.

The Wrays’ father, Sam, issued a news release about his sons – who will be in Columbus this weekend to see the Buckeyes – and the issues that led to this unfortunate situation.

“This situation arose because we, as a family, became increasingly concerned that the coaching staff has created an environment in which players’ health and safety is not the first priority,” the family said. “We expressed to the school administration our concern that the culture was creating a perverse incentive for players to conceal injuries, including in particular concussions.”

Last weekend, with their status on the team up in the air, and as coaches, parents and administrators tried to find a solution, the Wrays watched their team from the stands as the Rebels won their second game of the season.

There is just one game left for Franklin. Max will be heading to Ohio State in January. What happens with Jake, whether he returns to Franklin or looks for another program to finish his high school career, is up in the air. What is not up in the air is their status with the Buckeyes: neither Max’s commitment to Ohio State nor Jake’s recruitment by the Buckeyes will be impacted by this situation.

 

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

I want to take this opportunity to discuss Ohio State four-star offensive tackle commit Max Wray, his younger brother Jake and the rumors that have flooded white and orange-tinted message boards since they allegedly quit the football team late last week.

Despite reports to the contrary, a visit from Buckeyes' running back head coach Tony Alford earlier in the week had nothing to do with the issue at hand — the concerns voiced by the Wrays are entirely their own. It's purely a coincidence Alford visited when he did, as Ohio State had an open week on the schedule and coaches were dispatched all over the country to meet with coaches and/or watch commits and top targets practice.

He also stopped in Murfreesboro to check on running back commit Master Teague III, Knoxville for Tennessee five-star offensive tackle commit Cade Mays and a host of others in the area.

Which leads me to my next point.

Since Wray committed to the Buckeyes in mid-April, the family has dealt with nonstop harassment from administration, coaches and members of the community who would have preferred him stay close to home and play for the Volunteers. As one source close to the family put it, “Max is public enemy No. 1 for not going to Tennessee.”

Franklin is not a small town by any means, with more than 75,000 residents. But it's still plagued by the issues of any tight-knit, football-obsessed community. And given the Volunteers' struggles this season, the pressure to keep top prospects in the state continues to mount.

There's surely a similar feeling across the state when it comes to Teague, as well, but I can say firsthand the coaches, faculty and community around Murfreesboro's Blackman High is full of exceptional people and would not stoop to such a level.

Additionally, the Williamson County/Franklin administration has decided to hide behind FERPA — the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a law that gives parents certain protections with regard to their children's education records, such as report cards, transcripts, disciplinary records, contact and family information and class schedules.

As a result, some have strongly suggested that grades are the issue. That is also untrue, as both Wrays currently sport a 4.0 grade point average.

With only one week remaining in the season — and Max's high school career — it's unlikely this matter will ever find out the entire story from both sides. Jake, meanwhile, will likely transfer to another school outside of the district and be better off as a result.

 

The Wray family issued a response to comments made by WCPS administration, thank team trainer and medical staff: https://t.co/MuVkRY2qfj

— Andrew Lind (@AndrewMLind) October 26, 2017

 

2020 4-star OT recruit Jake Wray pic.twitter.com/1NSnXDCppB

— The Ozone (@theozonedotnet) October 28, 2017

 

Max Wray (@maxwray10), his beautiful mother and younger brother, Jake, made the trip from Tennessee today. pic.twitter.com/T8Y7aSG7sk

— Andrew Lind (@AndrewMLind) October 28, 2017

 

11W Community Interview: Four-Star Offensive Tackle Commit Max Wray https://t.co/1IJlVANOgU via @11W

— BuckeyePlanet (@buckeyeplanet) November 23, 2017

 

He was previously verbaled to Georgia.......

 

Thank you @OSUCoachMeyer and @CoachStudOL for stopping by the house today. Go Bucks pic.twitter.com/DRR1Ci2LNy

— Max Wray (@maxwray10) December 4, 2017

 

Max Wray National Signing Day 2018 player profile: Ohio State football recruiting https://t.co/K74CGA3OTT

— Bill Landis (@BillLandis25) December 13, 2017

 

After a string of recruiting visits, Max Wray and his family didn't want to take one more. And then they got to Ohio State and everything changed. https://t.co/3TZ0p5qc5Y

— Ryan Ginn (@rmginn) December 16, 2017

 

Signee 101: Get to know 4-star tackle Max Wray #GoBucks https://t.co/afymnIYBV9 pic.twitter.com/0ABc2xUCtv

— Landof10 Ohio State (@Landof10OSU) December 18, 2017

 

Signed: Four-star offensive tackle Max Wray was committed to Georgia for nearly a year, but became all Buckeye after visiting Ohio State. https://t.co/ovQEoQflsd

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) December 20, 2017

 

Bigtime left tackle @maxwray10 is in the building at the US Army All American Game! @npasports1 @NPA_Tennessee @TFootballGeek @wray_6 @RivalsWoody #NPAFAMILY pic.twitter.com/fUwanJRWbl

— NPA/SUPERMAX 100 (@BuckFitz) January 1, 2018

 

#OhioState signee @maxwray10 working at left guard. #ArmyBowl pic.twitter.com/T8k1of873a

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) January 1, 2018

 

#OhioState signee @maxwray10 #ArmyBowl. pic.twitter.com/vS1qNwqgJt

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) January 1, 2018