Auburn Football: Why Corey Grant Makes a Statement for the Tigers in 2012

Corey Grant is ready to make a statement.

Not on public access television or over the air on the radio, but on the football field this season. Grant was a member of the Alabama 2010 signing class, lauded as a speedy back that would eat up yards in the return game from day one.

After redshirting his first season at Alabama, Grant decided to transfer. In an interview with Auburnsports.com Grant talked of his time at Alabama as “a great place. I learned a lot of things. I got better in a lot of areas I needed to improve on.”

Grant went on to say that "I don't leave Alabama with any hard feelings. I just felt like I would be a better fit at Auburn."

Grant is not the first player to make the defection to Auburn from Alabama or vice versa, as Charles Goldberg uncovers in his original piece covering the Grant transfer. Grant may be the first major impact player to have come from such a diametric shift, however.

There is no college football rivalry that carries the drama and pure bitterness that surrounds the Iron Bowl. This is more than a game on the field—This is a way of life in the state of Alabama.

Grant knows what his transfer means. He hails from Opelika High School where both Auburn and Alabama pursued him heavily. He has family, friends and former teachers all pulling for one school or the other.

The recruitment of the top-20 to -25 recruits in the state of Alabama is insanely intense. Some even choose to move away and avoid answering the question are you Bama, or are you Auburn?

Grant chose the most difficult route of them all and went to both Alabama and Auburn. This shift of heart and transfer was an immediate win for the Auburn fans that are fighting to always one-up their instate brother.

For Alabama fans, it is tossed to the side as “he would never play," but in reality Grant would have likely played on this year’s championship squad. It is clearly a punch to the gut.

With all of the blood that boiled over his apparent change of heart and eventual transfer to his virtual hometown Tigers, Grant is likely to carry a bit of a chip on his shoulder as well.

Corey Grant exited Opelika High School and appeared on the Capstone at 5’10” and 186 pounds. Grant ran the 100 meter dash in 10.88 his senior year of high school, slightly slower than his junior time of 10.51.

Grant was a burner then and is a burner now. Since leaving Alabama and appearing in Auburn, Grant has added over 20 pounds to his frame and stands at around 215 pounds. Unfortunately for the rest of the SEC, he hasn’t lost a step.

Grant still brings elite track-star speed to the field despite his added weight. Think Onterio McCalebb breakaways with Michael Dyer-type strength. Grant also has the shiftiness in the open field that McCalebb lacks.

Grant has quick enough change of direction and hips that he could have played in the defensive secondary in college. His power and speed have kept him in the backfield for now.

With the departure of Michael Dyer, the Tigers have an open invitation for any back on roster to get the starting nod this coming season.

With the arrival of Scot Loeffler, there will not be any preset ideas of who should earn the position. It will be earned on the field.

Onterio McCalebb will not likely be the full time starter as his frame simply can’t handle the every down back role. It isn’t his best fit on the field either.

Tre Mason will be a back with experience and will likely be the early favorite. Grant and Mike Blakely will be the other two pushing for the position this spring. Jovon Robinson will also be added to the roster in the fall looking to make it to the field as a freshman.

Despite the crowded backfield, Grant is the only one of the current backs on roster to have spent time in a two-back style offense that Loeffler looks to employ.

Grant will also be entering his third season in a college program. Development is crucial, especially for the running back position. With his blend of size, speed, strength and experience, Grant looks to be a very viable option to receive the starting nod against Clemson this coming September.

Grant will likely see time immediately as a returner and will also help Auburn from the backfield in the passing game. It would not be surprising to see him take the first handoff of the season.

Grant will be looking to make a statement this year from day one. Transferring was a big decision, especially to Auburn. He has to prove it was the right one. 

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