Sure-handed Doran Grant is speedy, confident wide receiver/defensive back

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Sure-handed Grant looking to catch on quickly

AKRON, Ohio — Doran Grant is among the top-rated defensive backs in the nation, though the senior at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School also enjoys playing wide receiver.

He hasn’t committed to a college program, though he has more than 20 offers.

“I went to compete against some of the best in the country,” said the 5-foot-11, 175-pounder. “I want to play for a winner, for a coach who is committed to his program. Most of all, I want to play. I think I can contribute as a freshman.”

Scouts who have watched the speedy Grant find his way to the ball wherever it is on the field agree. The opposition has learned not to throw in his direction, yet Grant — on The Associated Press East Region 25 list of top recruits — still had 40 tackles, one interception and three pass deflections a year ago as a junior.

He also blocked three field goal attempts, utilizing his speed on the corner to race into the backfield.

On offense, he averaged 20.8 yards on 33 catches, seven of them touchdowns.

This summer, he was 64 of the nation’s best prep players invited to compete in the Gridiron Kings 7 on 7 event in Orlando.

“It was fun, in that it was all business,” Grant said. “Everybody there wanted to make an impression.”

Grant has offers from Big Ten powers Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan and Michigan State. West Virginia, LSU, USC, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Miami are among several other schools from around the country who have shown interest, too.

Grant said he has talked to several friends and foes who have committed to Ohio State, but quickly adds that the Hurricanes were his favorite team as he grew up and that his good friend, Latwan Anderson of Cleveland’s Glenville High School, signed to go there.

Of course, there’s another famous athlete in south Florida who went to Grant’s high school — LeBron James.

Grant isn’t saying whether or not any of that factors into his decision to “take his talents to South Beach,” or elsewhere.