RUSTON - Louisiana Tech Head Coach Jack Bicknell received great news Friday when Bulldog safety Bobby Gray decided to pass on the opportunity to enter the 2001 NFL Draft and instead stay for his final season at Tech.

Kansas State wide receiver Quincy Morgan (5) is forced out of bounds by Louisiana Tech defenders Bobby Gray (19) and Jason Olford (18) during the third quarter Saturday, Sept. 2, 2000, in Manhattan, Kan. Morgan gained 31 yards on the pass from quarterback Jonathan Beasley. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder led Tech this past season with 115 tackles, including 86 solo stops, in only 10 games while recording seven games with 10 or more tackles. Gray, who also led the Bulldogs with three fumble recoveries, posted a career best 18 stops in Tech's season finale against Hawaii. National Football League scouts predicted Gray as a potential fifth-round selection if he had decided to enter this year's draft.

"I've never rushed anything in my life," said Gray who had been seriously considering foregoing his senior season. "This is a big decision, and I didn't want to rush into it. I think an extra year (of college football) will help me in next year's draft. Plus, I will graduate in May so I wanted to stick around and finish that."

Gray earned first team All-Louisiana honors this past season for his efforts on the field and was by far Tech most productive defensive player.

"Bobby Gray isn't the type of athlete that comes along every day," Bicknell said. "He is a young man who can dominate a football game, and I am thrilled he decided to finish out his college career. There is no doubt in my mind he will be one of the top defensive players in the country next year."

During his three-year career as a Bulldog, the Aldine, Texas, native has registered 283 tackles, including 187 solo stops, in 33 games. With a healthy 2001 season - the Bulldog's first in the Western Athletic Conference - Gray will easily enter the Top 10 for career tackles at Tech, and possibly the Top 5.

Gray could become Tech's first All-American on defense since defensive back Willie Smith earned the accolades in 1995.