'Pastor of Pass Rush' Ray Drew Commits to Georgia Bulldogs

By Ethan Cole, Christian Post Reporter Friday, January 28, 2011

Highly coveted football star, Ray Drew, Jr., announced Friday his decision to commit to the Georgia Bulldogs.

Besides his stellar game on the field – ESPN Recruiting rates him as No. 2 defensive end prospect and No.13 prospect overall nationally – Drew is also a Christian minister. Standing high at 6'5'' and weighing 245 pounds, Drew can be found Sunday mornings, when his schedule allows it, behind the pulpit at Paradise Missionary Baptist Church in Thomasville, Ga., as well as at other churches.

The up-and-coming football star has been compared to Reggie White, who also played defensive and was an ordained minister.

"I knew I wanted to preach," Drew told Sports Illustrated earlier in January. "But I didn't know it was going to come that soon. ... I could have tried to run from it, but eventually it would have caught me."

Drew, 18, began preaching when he was in eighth grade. His godfather, Corey McGee, is a pastor at a church in Georgia and helped introduce him to preaching when Drew expressed interest.

Some have joked that the team that signs Drew will have a defensive end and chaplain rolled into one.

The young football star/minister is known for saying, "God bless you," after a tackle, and likes the nickname "The Pastor of Pass Rush."

Although Drew will be busy with college and football activities, he told SI that he wants to preach whenever he can.