Breakout Star Gregory Key to Storm’s Playoff Chances

July 10,2015
By ADRIAN BEECHER
The past five games of the season have been a coming out party of sorts for rookie wide receiver Julius Gregory of the Tampa Bay Storm. In that time, he has tallied 14 touchdowns off 35 receptions, earned the No. 2 spot on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 Plays and won back-to-back Cutters Catch of the Week awards.
In comparison to the first eight games of the season, Gregory averaged just 41.3 yards receiving per game, recording stats in six of those games. In his last five games he has averaged 83.6 receiving yards per game. He has also claimed the No. 2 spot for the Storm in total receptions and touchdown receptions this season, trailing none other than future Hall of Famer, T.T. Toliver.
Toliver is a 12-year veteran of the league and he recorded his 1,000th career reception earlier this season. He’s only the fourth player ever to accomplish that in the history of the Arena Football League.
Being able to learn from a legend like Toliver has benefits that can affect the longevity of one’s career from both a mental and a statistical standpoint. Gregory has had that luxury this season and it is showing on the football field.
“It has been very beneficial,” said Gregory of having the veteran experience of Toliver to learn from. “I would say T.T. has really elevated me from a rookie level to an early veteran level.”
The veteran influence on his game is undeniable. In Week 10, Gregory put up the first three-touchdown performance of his Arena Football Career. It became evident that he could be a true force in this League.  He followed up that with an encore performance in Week 11, tallying four touchdowns on nine receptions in the first 100-plus receiving yard game of his young career.
Gregory continued his rise in Week 12, sacrificing his body for the team as he flipped over the wall in the end zone. He was able to hold onto the ball for one of his three touchdown receptions. The catch over the wall caught the attention of many in the sports world and even made No. 2 on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 Plays, in addition to earning him his first Cutters Catch of the Week award.
“It was truly an honor and a blessing from the man above,” said Gregory of his performance and the recognition from Week 12.
This all helped grow the trust of his teammates and coaches.
“My coaches and teammates truly believe in me to make the big play, so I use that as my fuel and my fire, because I don’t want to let them down,” Gregory said.
Week 13 proved the amount of confidence that his teammates and coaching staff have in him, as well as how reliable he can be in the clutch. With just eight seconds left in regulation and the Storm trailing the Cleveland Gladiators, 48-45, Tampa Bay had the ball on the eight-yard line on 3rd and goal. That’s when his coach called on his number in the huddle.
“When coach came in the huddle with just seconds left, he said, ‘Julius, we’re throwing it up to you for the last play. We gotta win,’” Gregory recalled.
He came through on that play, living up to the expectations and making the catch that won the game for the Storm. Following his second consecutive Cutters Catch of the Week, Gregory entered the conversation for AFL Rookie of the Year honors.
Gregory’s ability to come through in the clutch and make an impact for the Storm has been crucial to the team winning three of their last five games to remain in the heart of the playoff hunt.
With only five weeks left in the season, Tampa Bay finds themselves in last place in the South Division. However, the Storm control their own destiny. If they are able to win out, they will win the division title. Gregory will be a crucial component to the Storm’s playoff journey.
The path to the playoffs begins at home for Tampa in Amalie Arena on Saturday, when the Storm battles the Orlando Predators in the second installment of the War on I-4. This will be the first of three division games that Gregory and the Storm face to wrap up the regular season.
It will be exciting to see how Gregory performs the rest of the season as he looks to continue the path of his dream – one that started in the projects of Portsmouth, VA, took him through the halls of I. C. Norcom High School and eventually to Shaw University in Raleigh, NC. He credits his work ethic to his support system growing up, his mom and dad, and will assure you that he is just getting started with this journey.
“My rookie year is just a piece of what I can do. There’s a whole lot more to come,” said Gregory. “Playing under a Hall of Famer in Lawrence Samuels and with a future Hall of Famer in T.T. Toliver, I believe with the two of them, and my skill set, the sky is the limit.”