Kingsway Regional (Woolwich, N.J.) running back Ray Lawry was hoping to make a splash on the recruiting radar and definitely made that happen with the highly productive season.
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound speedster, who's been timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.40 seconds, finished the year with 2,225 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns.
“Everything's been going really good,” said Lawry. “I was just named first team all-state and I was able to help lead my team to the state championship game, but unfortunately we lost.”
The Dragons were defeated in the state title game by Timber Creek Regional, 57-27, but the experience gained by the talented junior will help prepare him for leadership role in the future.
“Next year, my team and I are going be working harder than ever to get back to the state championship and win it,” he claimed. “I'm pretty sure I'll be a captain next year, so I'll have to lead by example.”
There's no doubt his ability will definitely lead the way.
“I'm a speedy running back,” explained the Kingsway standout. “I use my ability to get to the outside and then I outrun defenders. I'd still like to get a little bit bigger and gain a little bit more weight before I get to the next level, but I'm looking forward to next season.”
With such a productive year on the field in 2012, recruiting couldn't help but pick up a bit and now Lawry is hearing from quite a few teams across the nation.
“I currently have one offer right now from Temple,” claimed the running back. “I'm also hearing quite a bit from Penn State, Rutgers, Ohio State, Vanderbilt and Boston College.”
Whichever school he decides to choose will have to be successful, both on and off the field, if they hope to land him.
“I'm going to be looking at the win-loss record and the type of relationship I have with the coaches,” explained Lawry. “It definitely has to have good academics and that will be pretty much what I'm looking for in a school.”
There's one school he hopes to hear from in the near future that meets all his criteria.
“I love Notre Dame because it's big-time football,” he said excitingly. “I mean they're always on TV and they're a great academic school, so who wouldn't be interested. If Notre Dame decides they're interested in me and starts recruiting me, I would definitely be interested in visiting.”
