40th Pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons
Watch Richie Grant Highlights
R-SENIOR (2020)
• Played in nine of 10 games, starting eight times at safety
• Led the Knights with 72 tackles, and added 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack and a quarterback hurry
• Also led the way with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries to go with two forced fumbles
• Added six pass break-ups, which was second on the team
• Ranked second in the AAC and 12th in the nation with two fumble recoveries
• Also second in the conference and 24th in the nation with 5.4 solo tackles per game
• Unanimous first-team all-conference selection by The American
• Also earned first-team all-conference accolades and honorable mention All-America honors from Phil Steele
• Was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award
• Named Jim Thorpe Award Honorable Mention Player of the Week once
• at Georgia Tech (9/19): Recorded nine tackles and recovered a fumble
• at ECU (9/26): Had three tackles, recovered a fumble and picked off a pass
• Tulsa (10/3): Totaled nine tackles with a pass break-up and an interception
• at Memphis (10/17): Forced a fumble and had four tackles
• Tulane (10/24): Recorded 11 tackles and one tackle for loss to go with a forced fumble and a break-up
• at Houston (10/31): Totaled seven tackles with first career sack and an interception
• Named to Nagurski Trophy, Jim Thorpe Award, Bednarik Award and LOTT Impact Trophy Preseason Watch Lists
• Also earned Athlon preseason first-team all-conference honors
R-JUNIOR (2019)
• Started in 12 of 13 games at safety
• Ranked second on the squad in total tackles with 78
• Added four tackles for loss, eight pass breakups (tied for third on team), one forced fumble and an interception
• First-team selection on All-American Athletic Conference squad for second consecutive year
• Named to watch lists for Bednarik, Thorpe, Nagurski and Walter Camp awards
• Named to preseason All-America squads by USA Today, Street & Smith’s, Athlon and Phil Steele
• FAMU (8/29): Had four tackles with one tackle for loss
• Stanford (9/14): Registered team-high eight tackles and broke up three passes; named Lott IMPACT Player of the Week
• at Pitt (9/21): Had team-leading nine tackles and broke up two passes
• at Cincinnati (10/4): Recorded six tackles, one tackle for loss
• ECU (10/19): Registered seven tackles
• Houston (11/2): Had six tackles and broke up two passes
• at Tulane (11/23): Led team with 12 tackles, plus a tackle for loss
• South Florida (11/29): Had six tackles, one tackle for loss and a pass breakup
• vs. Marshall (12/23): Recorded 10 tackles, forced a fumble and had an interception, returning it 39 yards for a touchdown
R-SOPHOMORE (2018)
• Played in and started all 13 games at safety
• Led team in total tackles with 109, also his single season career-high
• Led team in total interceptions with six
• Named first-team All-American Athletic Conference
• Ranked first in the AAC and fifth in the nation in interceptions per game (0.5).
• Ranked first in the AAC and third in the nation in total interceptions
• Joined the Knights’ all-time list in most forced fumbles in a season with three, tied for eighth all-time
• Joined the Knights’ all-time list in most interceptions in a season with six, tied for third all-time
• at UConn (8/30): Grabbed an interception, forced and recovered one fumble, made seven tackles
• SCSU (9/8): Snagged an interception for two yards, broke up a pass, returned a punt for 13 yards and made seven tackles
• Pitt (9/29): Caught an interception for 25 yards, made eight tackles, and recorded 25 all-purpose yards
• at Memphis (10/13): Recorded 12 solo tackles
• Temple (11/1): Caught an interception for 10 yards, broke up a pass, made seven tackles and grabbed 10 all-purpose yards
• Navy (11/10): Had season game-high and his season game-high with 16 tackles and forced one fumble
• at South Florida (11/23): Intercepted a pass and made five tackles, all solo
• Memphis (12/1): Grabbed his sixth interception of the season and made four tackles, one for a seven-yard loss
R-FRESHMAN (2017)
• Played in all 13 games as a defensive back
• Tallied 32 tackles, including 25 unassisted and one for loss
• Registered a forced fumble and two pass breakups
• Also returned four kickoffs for 75 yards with a long of 22
• FIU (8/31): Made Knights debut and came up with one stop
• Memphis (9/30): Notched two tackles and one pass breakup
• at Cincinnati (10/7): Amassed five tackles
• ECU (10/14): Came up with three stops, including one for a loss
• Austin Peay (10/28): Tallied five tackles
• at Temple (11/18): Made one tackle and had one pass breakup
• South Florida (11/24): Tallied four tackles and forced a fumble
• vs. Auburn (1/1): Had five tackles in Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
FRESHMAN (2016)
• Spent the season with the scout team
• Named to 2016-17 American All-Academic Team
HIGH SCHOOL
• Coached by Greg Thomas at Choctawhatchee High School
• Named the team’s MVP for the 2015 season
• Earned a spot on the 2015 Associated Press Florida Class 6A All-State Second Team on defense, and was on the Third Team in 2014
• Posted 37 solo tackles with four interceptions as a senior, and had more than 1,000 receiving yards as a wideout
• Also notched three punt return touchdowns and one kickoff return touchdown
• Recorded an interception in the 2014 FHSAA 6A state semifinal game against Armwood
• Ran track in high school including the 100M and 400M events
PERSONAL
• Majoring in sports and exercise science