TUSCALOOSA, ALA.- Alabama defensive lineman LaBryan Ray has already made his place within the Crimson Tide program as a defensive lineman for the No. 1 ranked team as it prepares to do battle in the college football playoffs versus Oklahoma on Dec. 29. The sophomore has racked up 36 tackles as part of the rotation the team utilizes on the defensive line.

Ray has also made his respectable place among the program by winning two team awards at the recent annual awards banquet.

The former James Clemens All-State player was named recipient of the Commitment to Academic Excellence Award and Iron Man Award.

“I was very surprised and had no idea I would win such prestigious awards for our program,” said Ray during a quick break between pre-game workouts. “The awards are a testament to the hard work that I put in and how the coaching staff pushed me to be better.”

The excellence award is awarded to a player who has demonstrated the greatest commitment and achievement in his academic endeavors during the previous year. Additional players chosen for the award included Shyheim Carter, Miller Forristall, Jalen Hurts, Alex Leatherwood and Jedrick Wills, Jr.

“My two brothers and I grew up with academics as my dad didn’t play around with that subject for us,” said Ray, who currently carries a 3.3 grade point average in his studies in finance. “My dad made sure we understood academics was a requirement before athletics.”

The 6-foot-5, 295-pound Ray was also awarded the Iron Man Award along with Ronnie Clark, Johnny Dwight, and Phidarian Mathis. The award is given to those players who have shown the most dedication to the individual and team goals of the Crimson Tide’s year-round strength and conditioning program.

“I thought about our ‘Fourth Quarter Program’ during our summer workouts and how I gave my all in my efforts,” said Ray. “Going back to my years in high school I always took pride in my extra work I did, even the many times I was out there by myself. I have continued that work ethic here at Alabama.”

Ray, like the rest of the Crimson Tide’s players, has been busy with exams, Christmas celebrations and preparations for the semi-final playoff game against the No. 4 ranked Sooners of Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. Alabama realizes they are up against one of the most prolific offenses in the country and will be heavily challenged to win a spot in the Jan. 7^th National Championship Game.

“Oklahoma presents a very great challenge as our defense will have to be on point in all areas of our game plan,” said Ray. “We must come into the game focused, play fast and play smart.”

Ray’s mother, Angela, died when he was six years old. His father, Gary Ray Sr., raised Ray and his two brothers and was a huge inspiration and taught him how to act properly and to know right from wrong. He understands his upbringing is what has helped him become what he is today.

Ray worked through his years as a high school football player from being a sophomore where no colleges looked at his talents to becoming the No. 1 rated player in Alabama by the time his senior season came to an end. His pure natural talents as a football player and his growth as a person has led him to being a team award winner, highly thought of by players and coaches and someone his entire family is proud of.

The Crimson Tide are defending National Champions and have been the No.1 ranked team the entire time Ray has been in the program. He added, “Being able to live that feeling is something very special and I’m glad I came here to Alabama and actually experience this. I’ll take this experience with me the rest of my life.”

“When I won the first award during our banquet I said to myself, well that’s it for me tonight, but was really surprised when I won the second award,” added Ray.