Former Oklahoma Sooners star balls out in first 2024 preseason game with the New York Giants making highlight plays

The 2024 NFL preseason action is fully ramping up this week and the fireworks have already begun! Thursday night, the New York Giants took down the Detroit Lions 14-3 all thanks to one player. Former Oklahoma Sooners running back and second year NFL player with the New York Giants, Eric Gray, balled out making huge highlight plays seemingly with every touch.

Gray's explosion began early in the second quarter when he took a simple draw play up the middle for a 48-yard touchdown making a man miss in the open field and burning the secondary to the house for the score.

Gray wasn't done impressing after that first touchdown though. His very next touch on the next drive Gray showcased another one of his underrated skills by snagging a reception, forcing two more missed tackles and gaining 13 yards on the play.

Gray went on to rack up 98 yards on eight total touches, tallying two touchdowns, and hauling in all four of his targets in the game. It's clear Gray wants to take advantage of every opportunity this preseason to show that he's worthy of a significant role with thew New York Giants in year two.

Eric Gray played most of his rookie season as the third running back option for the Giants, logging just 23 touches last year. Saquon Barkley and Matt Breida saw the bulk of the work, but they're both now gone. Devin Singletary was brought in on an affordable three-year deal and Tyrone Tracy Jr. (rookie out of Purdue) was drafted in the fifth round. Both were assumed by many to be ahead of Gray on the depth chart coming into the first week of preseason action.

Singletary is fresh off his third consecutive 1000-yard season (in yards from scrimmage) in the NFL, so he's likely going to be the opening day starter no matter what. The real battle in the backfield will come between Tracy Jr. and Gray for the second running back spot. Tracy Jr. brings some fun upside as a converted wide receiver and a slashing running style that doesn't look like your typical running back. Many Giants (and fantasy football) fans want Tracy Jr. to be the back of the future in New York, but they don't need to forget about Gray.

Gray came into the league with a far superior production profile at a younger age, posting nearly 1600 yards from scrimmage in his final season with Oklahoma. Tracy Jr. didn't log 1600 total yards in his final four seasons of college combined. There's still plenty of preseason and camp action for the two to battle it out, but Gray reminded everyone he's far from out of the fight after the first preseason game.

Related: Three potential Oklahoma Sooners breakout players for the 2024 college football season

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If you want to look back on some of Eric Gray's best highlights from his time at Oklahoma that sent him to the NFL and the New York Giants just check out the video below!