Interview: 3-Star 2021 Texas DB D’Juan Grant has Goal Set on 5A State Championship
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
There is something to motivation on the gridiron, and all the guys at New Caney High School have that proverbial chip on their shoulder this season, especially D’Juan Grant. The Eagles rolled through a perfect regular season in 2019 but were stunned in the opening round against Foster (31-21). The heartache of the loss in the 5A playoffs pushed Grant beyond his known limits over the offseason working with numerous trainers preparing. After racking up 64 stops, four tackles for a loss, 10 pass breakups, and a forced fumble playing corner in the Eagles’ secondary, the 5-10, 172-pound, defender took on playing slot and safety for his team during his senior season. Wanting to finish his career with a 2020 ring, Grant has already compiled 15 tackles, nine solo, and three receptions for 47 yards in two games.
The three-star recruit is holding 15 offers with teams contacting him daily, but Louisiana-Monroe earned his verbal commitment on July 21. To talk about the early beginnings of his senior campaign, offseason workouts, and recruitment, Grant tells all in an RNG Q&A interview.
Interview
D’Juan, the Eagles were tested in the opener against Marshall in a 34-26 slugfest. First, after all the uncertainty in the offseason, how exciting was it to be back on the field getting your senior season going?
It felt great to be back on the field and to be able to play the game I love. We have a young team but us seniors are making sure everyone is pulling their own weight.
The score indicates the showdown against Marshall was an exciting one. How did the game go for you personally?
I finished the first game with seven tackles and one reception for a first down. This season, I’m playing new positions, I’m at safety and slot receiver. I knew I would be a two-way starter so I worked really hard during the offseason with different trainers and my high school coaches.
Once we get synced a little more, we will be hard to beat. I don’t see us losing any more games. In our first game, I did good but I know I can do way more, so I will. I finished last season at corner with 64 tackles, four tackles for a loss, 10 pass breakups, and one forced fumble, I’m trying to double that this season.
Which defensive scheme are you guys running this season?
We are executing a 4-2-5.
What are some of the coverages you guys are executing?
Man and Cover 2.
You mentioned a couple of new positions, where all are you lining up on the field in 2020?
I’ll be playing safety, nickel, corner, kick returner, and slot receiver.
Over the offseason, what did you work on the most with the technical parts of your game as a defensive back?
I did a lot of hip work, 7v7 on the national level, plenty of movement drills, stance and position drills, in phase and out of phase drills, backpedal drills, shuffle drills, pass zone techniques, breaking drills, skate drills, man techniques, and a lot of coverage recognition.
Playing in 7v7 tournaments, what were some of the teams on the national level you were playing against?
I’ve competed against the best out there on the 7v7 circuit from Miami, Houston, Arizona, Washington and Dallas.
What were some of the workouts you were doing to add more speed, burst, and agility to your skills?
Lots of squats, hill work, resistance training, high intensity interval training, a lot of stretching, and recovery work. I’ve gotten super-fast and my quickness is off the charts.
Who are some of the trainers you’ve been working with to take your game to that next level?
I’ve trained with some of the best trainers out there: Coach Flight (DB), Coach Clay Mack (DB), Coach Grant for speed, mental and physical toughness, Coach Blaylock for speed and strength, and Coach Pat for receiver work. I have also trained with Antonio Cromartie (4-time All-Pro) and Jalil Johnson (Jacksonville Jaguars).
Putting all the hard work in the offseason together, after fall camp and one game into the season, where are you seeing the biggest improvements in your skills?
I see my tackling will increase and I’ll get plenty of interceptions. For this season, I had to learn a new position for the team to be more effective. I’ve embraced it and I see myself doing really well at safety. We had zero catches deep on us our first game.
Which areas of your game will you continue to work on throughout the 2020 schedule?
Just continue to get bigger, faster and stronger, so I can be ready for college right away. Now that we are in season, my high school coaches are teaching me a lot of things that’s making me a better student-athlete and a better leader on the field.
What are some of the other top games coming up on the schedule the fans need to be in the stands for?
Our biggest games will be the Kingwood Park, Porter rivalry game, Lufkin, College Station, Magnolia, and for the playoffs.
On July 21, you verbally committed to Louisiana-Monroe. What was it about the program and university that combined to be the ideal fit for you at the next level?
The fact that they play five DBs on the field, they have a great education program, and the communication with coaches was great.
Are you helping recruit others to join you in the 2021 class? If so, what’s your pitch? What are you telling recruits to influence their decision?
I’m telling guys I know that want to win and don’t just want to be playing. I’m recruiting serious guys that want to win a national championship.
D’Juan, thanks for your time today. Wishing you and the Eagles another big season until we meet again.
Thank you.
Grant’s Offer Sheet: Abilene Christian, Air Force, Austin Peay, Bryant, Campbell, Central Arkansas, Hawaii, Illinois State, Incarnate Word, Louisiana-Monroe, Missouri State, Northern Colorado, Northern Iowa, Prairie View A&M, and Tennessee-Martin
Photo credit: New Caney HS/Grant family; D’Juan Grant