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Jordan Ray picks football, not basketball, for college


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When one of York County Tech's assistant varsity football coaches asked if he had any interest in playing college football, York Country Day senior Jordan Ray had a simple answer.

"No, sir," Ray said. Football had always been a secondary interest for him.

But that changed in recent months when Hampton University coaches began talking to Ray about walking on the football team. Falling in love with the school, he's been offered him the chance to walk-on with the Division I Football Championship Series program.

"Well, I've been in contact (with Hampton football coaches) for the past two or three months ... and in the past few days it really heated up," Ray said.

He plans to major in computer information systems.

The decision to attend Hampton and pursue football is one that Ray didn't see coming.

"Before my sophomore year in high school, I had only ever been to one offseason football workout and a couple weightlifting events," Ray explained. "I wanted to work at being good at basketball. Football was always, 'I'll see you when I see you.'"

Ray has been in a unique situation. Even though he attends York Country Day, he plays football at York Tech through the schools' co-op. Standing 6-foot-4, Ray always expected to play college basketball.

He opted not to play high school football his sophomore year, and then had doubts about going out for football this season. He didn't really make up his mind about going out for the team until he realized he had told coaches he would return.

"I made a commitment, and I'm not really one to go back on my word," Ray said.

But he excelled on the football field this season.

A GameTimePA first-team all-star at receiver this season, Ray also returned kicks and played safety for the Spartans. He pulled in 27 catches for 760 yards and nine touchdowns, helping to lead Tech to its most wins since a six-win season in 2009.

A 1,000-point scorer for the Greyhounds basketball team, Ray was an integral part of the school's undefeated run to the second round of the state tournament bracket last season.

"I went down (to Hampton) and just completely fell in love with the school," Ray said. "I had intentions of playing basketball there, but that just didn't work out."