We're nearing the end of the 90s now, folks...or as I like to to call it "Defensive Lineman Land".
We've got 91 days until a Bronco storm hits East Lansing...so today we'll be taking a look at #91 on the Bronco roster—Greg Grimes
#91, Greg Grimes, Senior, DT
Stats
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 268 lbs.
High School: Inderkum High School, Sacramento, CA
How'd he get to The Blue™?
By breaking the Aggies' hearts. Grimes was a highly-decorated player at Sacramento's Inderkum High, where he received first team All-CIF and conference player of the year honors and was also named first team all-conference on three separate occasions. In Grimes senior year alone, he accounted for 94 of the team's tackles and five quarterback sacks. Naturally, the stout DT was drawing lots of interest from schools all over the region, but his size seemed to be a factor that caused some schools to withhold a scholly or offer him a mere walk-on nod. In the end, only Utah State, San Diego State and Boise State extended solid scholarship offers and the choice was easy—he chose Utah State...wait, what? Whether as a joke or because the Broncos scholarship offer came a little late, Grimes actually originally gave the Aggies his verbal, but had a long weekend to think things over and switched the Broncos on 2008's LOI day.
Nickname
"Grimey"
I thought about using "Grimes against Humanity", but that seemed a tad sinister.
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Look-alike
Mr. Sandman from Mike Tyson's Punchout!
Career Highlights
2007 Tri-County Conference Player of the Year. Recorded 3 tackles and half a sack in a highly truncated 2009 for the Broncos. Made 3 game appearances in 2010. Appeared in career-high 11 games in 2011 and registered 15 tackles (1 for loss) and half a sack.
2012 Prospectus
With the depth and talent amongst the Broncos front four the last few years it was easy to overlook Grimes. If you really dig...you'd find that Grimes hasn't exactly had an easy go of things since joining the squad. He was bitten by the injury bug in 2009, had a stint in the hospital in 2010 and then his identity was stolen...well, his dad's was anyway. True, Grimes hasn't had the ideal stay in Boise...but he's persevered and now looks to make a big impact as a senior. Behind Michael Atkinson and Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe, Grimes is far and away the most experienced tackle the Broncos have and in my opinion is a shoo-in for at least a slot at level 2 of the DT rotation (Bacon and TAT presumably at level 1). If you really look at the numbers, Grimes actually had roughly the same amount of tackles in 2011 as Tjong-A-Tjoe, although after dropping 20 lbs. since last season (is that right?), he cedes nearly 40 lbs. to the big Dutchman. Grimes is an active DT, and really came on strong last season in a reserve role, so I'd expect him to be one of the leaders on the interior D-line this season and finish his career on a high note—lord knows the kid has earned it. Early guess on top 4 Bronco DTs for 2012: Atkinson, Tjong-A-Tjoe, Grimes, Worthy—go ahead and quote me on that...I don't mind being wrong.
Completely made up fact
Grimes has pi memorized to 50 digits...oops got that wrong...has all 50 pies memorized at Marie Callender's.