Gray has never been the loudest name in a room, but when the pads go on and the drills begin, he does all the talking necessary. The Oregon State guard quietly built an impressive college career, starting 43 games and solidifying himself as one of the most consistent offensive linemen in the Pac-12. Yet, despite his reliability and athletic upside, Gray entered the pre-draft process without the same buzz as some of his peers. That changed quickly.

 

Making a Statement at the Shrine Bowl

 

Gray’s performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl turned heads. He excelled in one-on-one drills, showing a blend of technique, power, and lateral quickness that scouts crave. While many interior linemen struggle in open-space reps, Gray thrived, holding his ground against top defensive talent. His ability to mirror defenders and win leverage battles made him one of the event’s standout linemen.

 

Proving It at the Combine

 

If Gray needed to back up his strong Shrine Bowl showing, he did exactly that at the NFL Combine. His numbers placed him among the most athletic linemen in the class: 40-Yard Dash: 4th fastest among all offensive linemen Vertical Jump & Broad Jump: Tied for 8th, proving his lower-body explosion

 

For a 6-foot-4, 308-pound guard, those numbers speak volumes. He possesses the kind of quick-twitch athleticism that NFL teams covet for modern offensive schemes, particularly those utilizing outside-zone and pull-heavy run concepts.

 

Unlike many top offensive line prospects who were hyped from high school, Gray took a grind-it-out path to recognition. He arrived at Oregon State as a lightly recruited prospect, redshirted his freshman year, and then methodically built himself into a key piece of one of the Pac-12’s best offensive lines. His durability and steady development are testaments to his work ethic and coaching adaptability.

 

Another unique twist?

 

Gray isn’t just an athlete—he’s a former high school basketball player, which shows in his smooth footwork and body control. That background helped him refine his agility, which is rare for a guard prospect.

 

Where He Fits in the NFL

 

Gray’s blend of athleticism, technique, and experience makes him an intriguing mid-round target for teams needing a plug-and-play interior lineman with high-upside movement skills. His ability to pull, anchor in pass protection, and hold his own against bigger defenders suggests he could develop into a long-term starter.

 

While he wasn’t the most talked-about lineman entering the draft process, Joshua Gray has let his film, performance, and athletic testing do all the talking. Now, it’s just a matter of which team calls his name on draft day.