Originally Published: October 4, 2011
Mike McCray II just like his dad -- sort of
Watch List LB plays the same position as his dad, but will he play at the same school?
By Jared Shanker
ESPN Recruiting
Hanging in Mike McCray II's room is a picture of an undersized linebacker, running with the ball in his hands and wearing a scarlet No. 99 jersey.
It's a scene into the past and potentially the future, too.
The framed photo is a picture of his dad, Mike McCray, during his time as an Ohio State outside linebacker in the 1980s. Despite a series of injuries that hindered his collegiate career, McCray was a Buckeyes' team captain for the 1987 season, his last in Columbus.
Like his father, McCray is an outside linebacker, and one of the best in Ohio. It likely won't be long until the Buckeyes come calling the Trotwood-Madison junior and 2013 ESPNU 150 Watch List member.
"He's athletic, a little smoother than I was," the elder McCray said of his son. "He does things so easily and fluid sometimes. Sometimes I don't think he's moving but he's moving.
"I was extremely athletic, really good speed, played hard," said McCray, who shared the backfield with Keith Byars in high school. "I was rugged, just a typical linebacker."
Growing up, the younger McCray looked at that photo of his dad rumbling toward the end zone in front of more than 85,000 diehards and dreamt of one day playing for the Buckeyes, maybe making the game-winning tackle against Michigan.
Turns out, he could be making the game-winning tackle for Michigan in 2013.
On Sept. 10, Michigan held its first-ever night game in the Big House. McCray was on hand for it, and had a little present for his dad afterward.
"He got out of the car with a Michigan hat on," said McCray, who jokingly admitted that was probably the first time anything maize and blue graced his Trotwood home. "I said, 'What are you doing with that hat on?'"
It was all in good fun, but McCray knew it would irk his father just a little bit. "That's one of the reasons why I did it, so I can get under his skin," he said with a laugh.
McCray and his father have a great relationship, but both understand that when it comes down to it, McCray needs to be his own person -- even if that means playing his college ball in Ann Arbor.
"I guess every parent would want that," McCray said of his son following his footsteps and going to Ohio State. "But I'm still stuck on you got to do what's best for you. Ohio State was the right for me.
"Whatever situation is best for him, I'm going to support it. If he goes with Michigan, Michigan State, if that's where he needs to be, that's fine. My dream was to go to Ohio State. That was the best place for me at the time. "I never want him to feel pressure about my accolades from high school or college. I tell him, 'You don't have live up to me. Your name is Mike McCray II, and I'm the first. We're two different people."
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