Gray inks deal with NFL's Packers

Chris Zuk, Manitoba Bisons

WINNIPEG - With the 2017 National Football League Draft complete, Bison offensive lineman Geoff Gray has signed as a priority free agent with the NFL's Green Bay Packers

Gray, 22, could now follow Bison alum David Onyemata into the NFL football after Onyemata was selected and played the 2016 season with the NFL's New Orleans Saints.

"I'm excited to join the Packers. Several team teams came on strong and made good offers but I had to go with my gut, and Green Bay seemed like the right fit for me," Gray commented after the signing on Saturday.

The 6'6", 310-pound offensive lineman finished his fourth season at Manitoba in 2016 and started all eight Canada West games for the Bisons, who averaged 34.5 points and 487.1 total yards per contest. In addition, the Winnipeg native was selected and played in the prestigious East-West Shrine Game in January 2017 and received praise before and after the Shrine Game from numerous NFL scouts and media.

In his four-year Bison playing career (2013-16), Gray has been incredibly durable on the offensive line, and suited up in all 32 conference games over the span. Gray started the last 30 regular season games, plus Manitoba's six playoff games over his university career. He showed his versatility by starting 19 regular season games at right guard (plus two more games as non-starter in his first two games as a Bison) along with five games started at right guard in the post-season. He also started in 10 regular games and one playoff game at right tackle with an additional start at left tackle in his illustrious time with the Herd.

A member of the Canada West championship team in 2014, Gray is ranked third overall – first among U SPORTS players - on the April 2017 and final prospect list of the CFL Scouting Bureau. The CFL Draft is slated for Sunday, May 7.

"On behalf of the Bison Football program, we are obviously very excited and happy for Geoff as he signs with the Green Bay Packers. This is the second year in a row, and third overall, where a Bison has generated a NFL opportunity. Bison Football is very proud today,"
Bison Football head coach Brian Dobie enthused.