Ray Agnew
Ray Mitchell Agnew Jr. (born December 9, 1967) is an American football executive and former professional defensive tackle who serves as the assistant general manager for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL).[1][2] Agnew played college football for the NC State Wolfpack, where he earned All-ACC honors as a senior and led the ACC in tackles for loss in 1989.[3] He was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round (10th overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft, becoming the highest-drafted player in NC State history at the time.[1][3] Over an 11-year playing career from 1990 to 2000, Agnew appeared in 157 games, accumulating 452 tackles, 22.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 6 forced fumbles while starting 99 contests.[1] He spent his first five seasons with the Patriots (1990–1994), before moving to the New York Giants (1995–1997) and concluding his playing days with the St. Louis Rams (1998–2000), where he contributed to their Super Bowl XXXIV victory after the 1999 season.[1][4] Transitioning to front-office work immediately after retirement, Agnew joined the Rams' scouting department in 2001 as a pro scout, eventually advancing through roles including college area scout (2004–2010), Midwest regional scout (2011–2013), and director of college scouting (2014–2016).[2][5] Promoted to director of pro scouting in 2017, he played a pivotal role in identifying elite talent, such as emphatically advocating for the selection of defensive tackle Aaron Donald in the 2014 NFL Draft.[5][6] In 2021, Agnew joined the Lions as assistant general manager under executive vice president and general manager Brad Holmes, assisting in player personnel decisions, roster construction, and team building.[2][6] During his tenure, the Lions achieved significant turnaround, including a 12-5 record and NFC North division title in 2023—their first since 1993—along with an NFC Championship appearance, and back-to-back division titles in 2024 with a franchise-record 15-2 regular-season mark.[2] Agnew comes from a football family; he is the father of Ray Agnew III, a former NFL fullback and current college scout for the New York Jets; Malcolm Agnew, a former college running back who now serves as running backs coach at Stanford University; and Keenan Agnew, a pro scout for the Tennessee Titans.[1][7][8][2][9]Early life and education
Early years
Ray Agnew was born on December 9, 1967, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.[1] He grew up in a modest working-class household in Winston-Salem as the son of a baker and a hotel housekeeper, where football emerged as a potential avenue to a better life.[10] Agnew's father instilled in him a guiding principle of humility and equality: "Nobody is better than you, but you're no better than anybody else," which influenced his formative years and approach to sports and life.[10] This early environment in North Carolina fostered Agnew's initial interest in athletics, particularly football, setting the stage for his later pursuits in the sport.[10]High school career
Agnew attended Carver High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he developed as a standout defensive tackle on the football team.[11] Growing up in a supportive family environment that encouraged his athletic pursuits from a young age, he focused on building his physical presence and skills during his high school years.[12] In his senior year, Agnew recorded 70 tackles and 10 sacks over just seven games despite suffering a broken hand, showcasing his disruptive ability on the defensive line.[13][14] His performance earned him the title of defensive MVP in his conference, highlighting his leadership and impact on the team.[13] Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 285 pounds as a senior, Agnew's impressive size and athleticism drew attention from college scouts, positioning him as one of the top prep football players in North Carolina.[11] This recognition fueled a competitive recruitment process, culminating in scholarship offers from major programs, including his eventual commitment to North Carolina State University.[14]College career
Agnew attended North Carolina State University, where he played college football for the NC State Wolfpack from 1986 to 1989.[3] As a defensive tackle, Agnew quickly established himself as a key contributor to the Wolfpack's defense, earning Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Rookie of the Year honors in 1986 for his impactful freshman performance.[15] He built on that success with first-team All-ACC selections in both 1988 and 1989, recognizing his consistent disruption of opposing offenses.[15] In 1989, Agnew also received NC State's Governor's Award as the team's most valuable player.[15] Agnew's statistical contributions highlighted his pass-rushing prowess, as he amassed 17 sacks over his career, a total tied for ninth in NC State history.[16] His efforts bolstered the Wolfpack's defensive front, particularly in key ACC matchups where his tackles for loss and quarterback pressures helped limit opponents' scoring opportunities.[14] Leading into the 1990 NFL Draft, Agnew showcased his physical attributes at the NFL Scouting Combine, completing 21 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press, a strong showing for a defensive tackle that underscored his strength and endurance.[17] This performance, combined with his on-field production, positioned him as one of the top defensive linemen available.NFL playing career
Draft and New England Patriots
Ray Agnew was selected by the New England Patriots with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 1990 NFL Draft, following a standout college career at North Carolina State where he led the team in sacks in 1987 and the Atlantic Coast Conference in tackles for loss in 1989.[1][18] As a highly touted defensive lineman, Agnew signed a five-year rookie contract with the Patriots on July 18, 1990, and immediately earned a starting role at defensive tackle, appearing in 10 of 12 games during his debut season.[19][20] Over his five seasons with the Patriots from 1990 to 1994, Agnew established himself as a reliable presence on the defensive line, accumulating 216 total tackles and 7.5 sacks while transitioning between starting and rotational duties.[1] His most productive year came in 1992, when he started all 14 games and recorded a career-high 61 tackles alongside 1.0 sack.[1] Agnew's contributions helped anchor the front four during a period of defensive rebuilding for the team. The Patriots experienced a challenging stretch during Agnew's tenure, posting losing records in his first four seasons: 1–15 in 1990, 6–10 in 1991, 2–14 in 1992, and 5–11 in 1993, as the franchise navigated coaching changes and roster instability under head coaches Rod Rust, Dick MacPherson, and Bill Parcells.[21][22] Improvement arrived in 1994, when the team finished 10–6 and clinched a playoff berth, tying for first in the AFC East with Agnew providing veteran leadership despite starting only three games amid injuries.[1]| Season | Games Played/Started | Tackles | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 12/10 | 52 | 2.5 |
| 1991 | 13/10 | 36 | 2.0 |
| 1992 | 14/14 | 61 | 1.0 |
| 1993 | 16/1 | 45 | 1.5 |
| 1994 | 11/3 | 22 | 0.5 |
| Total | 66/38 | 216 | 7.5 |