Gay Jr.’s heart remains in Starkville, MSU

Everyone in the country was after Willie Gay Jr. eight years ago, but he chose to stay home.

Choosing to turn down schools like LSU, Michigan and countless others didn't come without some sleepless nights, but Gay admitted that he always knew in his heart that he wanted to be a Mississippi State Bulldog.

Growing up in the shadows of Davis Wade Stadium, Gay dreamt of playing Southeastern Conference football and, ultimately, suiting up in the National Football League. His talent afforded him opportunities beyond Starkville, but Gay found his way back home all the way back in 2017 when he chose MSU over LSU, Michigan and Ole Miss.

It’s family. It’s love. Not just because I’m from here – it’s because of how I was treated when I was here.

He picked the Bulldogs on signing day for days like Thursday afternoon. A giant big screen posted up right outside of the Union on campus and the YMCA building said it all as it was Willie Gay Jr. Day at MSU with the University honoring the talented linebacker for all of his accomplishments to this point.

“It's family,”gay said of the Bulldogs. “It's love. Not just because I'm from here – it's because of how I was treated when I was here. I signed for four years, but it lasts way longer than that and (Thursday) proved that. Even if I didn't

- Willie Gay, Jr.

play football, I'm sure people that I've come across would still love me the same.”

A day after Gay was honored by the community of Starkville, MSU took center stage on campus. Director of Athletics Zac Selmon spoke on Gay's impact and delivered him a customized cowbell from University President Mark Keenum.

Gay's recruiter when he was in high school was former running backs coach Greg Knox who also spoke at the presentation. The twotime interim head coach and current leader of the D.A.W.G. program, Knox knew there was something special with Gay from an early age and even joked about petitioning coach Dan Mullen to let him play running back for the Bulldogs.

“When you've been in my shoes and been able to see it year after year, there are a lot of people that played football, but Willie, those guys are different,” Knox said. “They're blessed with a different gift. Willie played it at a different level and he's tremendously blessed.

“Dan Mullen used to always say that when you go to the game if you can't identify an SEC player when you walk up, he's probably not an SEC player. He was easy to pick out because he was blessed.”

After producing an Allamerican career at Starkville High that made him a four