As a rookie, he appeared in all sixteen regular-season games for the Jaguars, making seven starts and recording 25 tackles (18 solo) and 3.5 sacks. In 2005, he started one game and played in all 16 for the second straight season, totaling 23 tackles (20 solo) and 5.5 sacks. In addition, he forced two fumbles and recovered another. McCray was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft. He is the third former Alabama player to be chosen number one, following Paul "Bear" Bryant and DeMeco Ryans. Bobby McCray is from Prichard, Alabama and attended Prattville High School. There, he lettered in football, basketball, and track. He originally signed with Florida State University but later decided to go to college in Alabama instead. During his time at Alabama, he became one of the top defensive ends in the nation. In 2004, he led the team with 12 sacks and was named First Team All-American by The Sporting News. After graduating from Alabama in 2003, he entered the 2005 NFL Draft. At the time, he was considered one of the best defensive players available in the draft. Many experts believed that he would go in the first round but were surprised when the Jaguars took him six spots before Washington's Kerry Collins.