| Herndon
Grad Excels at Akron |
By Anthony Paradise
Observer Staff Writer
|
| Being the starter for a Division I college football program
as a freshman may be intimidating for some, but it was a challenge
Kevin Grant gladly accepted. |
| Grant, a Herndon High School graduate, is about to begin
his redshirt sophomore season at the University of Akron where
he became a starter on defense last year. |
| After an illustrious career with the Hornets, which included
breaking the single-season tackle record with 139 in 2003,
Grant enrolled at Akron before redshirting in 2004. |
| He chose Akron because he was familiar with their coaches. |
| "I had known a lot of the coaching staff since they
were new and had come from staffs that were already recruiting
me," Grant said. "I knew them and it was a good
fit for me." |
| Another reason for going with the Akron Zips was the promise
of playing time early in his career. |
| He committed himself to the team, eventually earning a starting
position at the bandit spot, a hybrid linebacker position.
|
| As he enters the 2006 season, Grant has the second leading
amount of sacks among returning starters with 4.5 and is third
in tackles with 73. |
| Grant also had standout performances against some of his
opponents, including a career-high seven solo tackles against
Middle Tennessee State. |
| In the Motor City Bowl, he posted a career high in tackles
with 10. |
| A standout for Akron, Grant said he never let his inexperience
rattle him. |
| "It was nice to get the opportunity. I worked hard,"
Grant said. "I try not to think about being young. I
try not to think about things like that." |
| Although Grant is not fearful of many things, he felt a
little nervous about making the move from high school to college
football. |
| "The size, the speed, the strength," Grant said.
"Every week you face a different type of athlete."
|
| Grant also had to adjust to the intensity of the fans at
major schools, particularly the season opening game against
the Big 10 Purdue University. |
| "It was nerve racking," Grant said of the Purdue
game, which they lost 49-24. "They seat like 60,000.
It's a tough place period to have your first game." |
| As if his time on the field was not difficult enough, getting
his personal life in order was just as hard. |
| Grant had to balance his class schedule, as well as strenuous
football practices. His days often began around 9 a.m., going
nonstop until 8 p.m. |
| Even during the summer, Grant continues to work on developing
his football skills. |
| "We don't have much downtime," Grant said. "We're
always lifting. You don't watch as much film, but you're always
staying busy." |
| While his weeks are often filled with class and practice,
Grant said it all pays off at the end of the season. |
| One of his biggest accomplishment last season was helping
to lead Akron to the Mid-American Conference title and its
first bowl game last year. Those wins, he said, will motivate
him as he prepares for the upcoming season. |
| "You had a good sense of accomplishment," Grant
said. "We worked hard. It felt good to see it pay off." |
