RECRUITING: Jalen Grimble picks Hurricanes
Jalen Grimble has been fielding calls from college football coaches, recruiters, scouts, reporters, friends and just about anyone else with a phone for weeks.
All have been wondering where the Bishop Gorman senior defensive end will play college football. Today, Grimble will give them an answer: Miami.
Grimble said late Tuesday he plans to sign this morning with the Hurricanes, bringing an end to a frenetic scramble for one of the nation’s most coveted pass rushers. Grimble originally committed to Southern California in May.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Grimble said. “The coaching staff is great. The school’s in a nice area. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11-to-1. You could go across the country and that’s hard to find.”
Grimble chose Miami over scholarship offers from UCLA, USC, Nebraska and many others. He left his official visit to Miami the weekend of Jan. 21 impressed with the school’s business program, which was key in his decision.
Grimble’s signing with Miami will take place on mother Amy’s birthday, giving the family plenty of reasons to celebrate.
Jalen’s father, Jerry Grimble, said he received about 200 phone calls Tuesday from various people wanting to know what his son’s plans were.
“I’m relieved,” Jerry Grimble said. “All I wanted was for my son to be happy. Wherever he picked, I’d support it. I just want him to go there and get a good education, and the rest will play itself out.”
The 6-foot-3-inch, 265-pound Grimble was a key figure in Gorman winning the last two Class 4A state championships. He recorded 71 tackles and six sacks as a senior on his way to first-team all-state honors as Gorman finished 13-2.
Grimble has long been considered the top local recruit in the class of 2011. Rivals.com ranks him the state’s No. 1 overall prospect and No. 20 in the nation among strong-side defensive ends.