Recruit Snapshot: Tarrion Grant
Thursday, August 17th kicked off the 2023 high school football season in Tennessee. On a slate of entertaining Thursday night games, perhaps the most entertaining was Siegel (Murfreesboro, TN) visiting Shelbyville Central High School (Shelbyville, TN). The game started and ended with big plays from one of the best players in the state in the 2025 class, Siegel Athlete Tarrion Grant.
Setting the Tone
Grant is one of the most explosive athletes in the state of Tennessee this season, and among his fellows in the 2025 class, he is one of the elite athletes in the nation. The first time the Stars were able to get the ball to Grant, it resulted in a 60 yard touchdown reception where Grant flashed his blazing speed. Grant got the Stars on thr board for the first time in the 2023 campaign the first time he touched the ball, and that is likely to be a trend the rest of the season.
Defensive Presence
While Grant is an elite weapon on the offensive side of the ball, he may have more value to the Stars for his defensive prowess. This isn’t just speculation, as later in the game, when cramps and some hard hits were beginning to tell on a hot, humid August night, Siegel opted to rest Grant when the Stars had the ball. At 6’3” and a 180 pounds, Grant is a long, long corner that is able to deny the ball to a receiver for a large area. He has the speed to run with anyone, can out leap even receivers taller than him, and has superb ball skills to knock away or intercept passes. The Golden Eagles closed a 25 point lead down to 5 points and a chance to take the lead in thr 4th in part because the Siegel offense slowed a bit with Grant on the sidelines . However, Grant was a major factor in the Stars hanging on defensively, effectively taking away half the field from Shelbyville Central.
Clutch Moments
Late in the game, the Golden Eagles had stormed back from a 25 point deficit to make it a one score game in front of their home fans. The stadium was roaring with every play, and was prepared to come unglued with a completed comeback. It was after a huge stop by Siegel’s defense, that Grant stayed out to join his offensive teammates again. Grant showed his toughness and determination by playing through the cramps and pain to be available on one of the biggest drives of the night for his team. All he did was answer with a fantastic catch on third down to set the Stars up inside the Shelbyville Central 10 yard line. The Stars subsequently scored a touchdown that salted the game away. That is impressive leadership for a young man in the first game of his Junior campaign.
The Skinny
Grant could potentially play his way into a five star ranking by the end of the campaign, as he is already a highly ranked four star prospect. The most important decision college teams will need to make is where they think Grant plays at the next level.
- Grant has sky-high potential as a corner.
- Great height for a man to man corner.
- Elite wingspan to deny passes to receivers.
- Speed, speed, speed enough to keep up with any receiver and leave most corners.
- Comes off the line like he is shot out of a cannon on offense.
- Outstanding ball skills on both sides of the ball.
- Can struggle with getting off blocks if teams stack receivers to target blocking him on screens.
- Needs to improve physicality on defense in tackling and taking on blockers.
- Appears more comfortable and natural as a receiver, and is absolutely lethal as a weapon in the passing game.
The only knocks on Grant are his need to be more aggressive and physical on defense, however he certainly has the ability and opportunity to do exactly that. Grant appears to still be thinking more on defense, looks a little more stiff, and as if he is less comfortable there. Again, time a d game reps at corner can remedy all of that, leaving him as a potentially elite man to man corner. At this point in his development, he grades out higher as a wide receiver. He looks much more comfortable, fluid, flashes incredible acceleration, and speed that is a menace. He appears to be a player that is too explosive not to end up on offense at the next level.
One thing is for sure, the Stars will go as Grant goes this season, and if his first game is any indication, Siegel is a team that will start fast and finish strong after weathering a tough storm on the road to exit 1-0.
Go, T!