Inside The Burrow: With Jamari Grant

  #87 Jamari Grant
              Tight End
 
              Redshirt Junior    6-5 210
 
              Jacksonville FL

              First Coast High School






Inside Slant with Grant

With Jason Harmon on the side line with an injury, a battled ensued with teammate Rob Housler in the off-season for the starting Tight End position.  Jamari Grant earn the starting position with his consistent and improved play and made the most of his first opportunity in the season opener, against Texas.  He figures to be an important part of this years offensive scheme and it's success.


Q. What are some of the things you felt you had to work-on in the off-season?

The main thing was route running, posture, run-blocking and catching the ball better. Those are some of the points I really stressed during workouts and they are the reason I stayed [in Boca] the entire summer. It was a big commitment to the team. I watch myself during one-on-ones and I see some of the things I did last year and have become more physical in the running game.

Q. What are some of your goals for the '08 season?

Win. Win every battle and every game. Anything after that is extra. Sun Belt Champions again and get to New Orleans.


Q. In high school, you were a two-sport athlete, playing both football and basketball, where you served as a captain on a team that went 8-3, ranked no. 2 in the state. What made you decide on football as opposed to basketball?

I always had height but it was always something to do [basketball] until football season. I quit playing basketball in sixth grade, but my mom asked me 'would you please go out for the team?' I did it to please her. I didn't think that I was going to make the team. I made it and continued because it helped me to stay in shape. But football was always my first love. Football is more competitive and I love competition every day.

Q. What has been the biggest transition from being a WR in HS to a college TE?

When I first got to college, I was disappointed because all I knew and all I had ever played was receiver. But then in camp, I discovered that the tight ends here catch a lot. They are a center of the offense. I was here and this is what they wanted me to do and I wanted to win, so I played tight end. I love it now. I'm glad. If they asked me to go back to receiver I would turn them down. I love playing tight end.

Q. Growing up what situations help you become the person and competitor you have become?

Family.  My siblings call me just to see how I'm doing. They are so proud of me. I'm the first from my family to go to college and I'm on a full scholarship. I grew up struggling, so for my brothers and sisters to look up to me touches my heart. They don't ask for things. They just ask how I'm doing and they continue to push me - especially my sister. They make sure I'm doing my thing and keeping my head on straight and that I stay focused.

Q. You seem to have become a favorite target of Rusty Smith. Why do you think that is?

Favorite target?  I would guess that Rusty gets the ball to the play makers. If I'm the play maker in that game, he will get me the ball. If the play maker is Cortez Gent, Lester Jean, Chris Bonner, it doesn't matter he will get them the ball. I don't think he has a favorite. He gets the ball to whoever is open and whoever can make the play. I feel he has confidence in me and he will reward me by throwing me the ball. I have to reward him by catching it.

Q. Coming off a good game against Texas, with four catches for 93 yards, and the longest reception of 62 yards, what do you take away from your performance against a team like Texas?

Continue to work hard. That game was a great game for me, but as a team we made mistakes and Texas capitalized on our mistakes. One thing I would take from the game is to never give up. Give it your all. If it isn't enough there is something wrong.

Q. Next game is the home opener against UAB, how does it feel playing in front of your own fans as opposed to 90,000+ scramming fans wanting nothing better than to see you fail?

Our fans aren't as big as the University of Texas, but they are our fans and they support us. As long as you have support at home it is great. It doesn't matter what anybody else things. Playing in front of our home crowd is great. I love playing at home.

Q. You are listed as a communication major. What are your plans after football at FAU?

I used to want to be a sports analysis. I think I would like to do it for all sports, but if I have to be an expert it would be about football. Steve A. Smith. I love him and Lee Corso from the game-day-crew. Steven is funny and he always gives a point of view from the player not just an analysis.


Career Receiving Statistics                      
   
Year    Games     No.    Yards     TD's      Long
2006         6           12      135          1            19
2007       11           16      127          0            20
2008        1             4        93           0            62