Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez: Kelvin Grady a perfect fit for the slot
Basketball-turned-football player Kelvin Grady is making a quick first impression with his new team.
"We’re not in full pads yet, but what I’ve seen in three days, Kelvin Grady’s going to play for us this year," Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said Wednesday. "He’s a very quick learner, he’s very coachable, he’s got ball skills. And I think we have a position that fits him perfectly in that slot."
Grady played two seasons for the Michigan basketball team, but left the program this spring buried on the depth chart. After originally considering a transfer, the brother of Michigan running back Kevin Grady decided to switch sports and remain a Wolverine.
Rodriguez said Grady "looks like he’s going to be able to help this football team this year" even though Michigan is deep at the slot receiver position.
In individual drills open to the media earlier this week, Grady worked fourth at the position behind Martavious Odoms, Roy Roundtree and Terrence Robinson. Odoms led Michigan with 49 catches last year as a sophomore, Roundtree redshirted but had a strong spring, and Rodriguez said Robinson would have played last year as a true freshman if not for the leg injury he suffered in fall camp.
"Sometimes when you come off an injury and I’ve seen it with a bunch of players, they are apprehensive until they just all of a sudden let it loose and see I’m going to be OK," Rodriguez said. "I think Terrence and a couple other guys are like that. He’s just got to let it loose and see he’s going to be OK. And once he does that, he’ll get that confidence back that we need to have."
One player no longer in the mix for playing time in the slot is true freshman Teric Jones. Rodriguez said Jones will play defensive back this year.
Comments
jlo
Fri, Aug 14, 2009 : 5:47 p.m.
Kevin Grady should be used to return punts and kicks. He has speed, is very shifty and hard to bring down in the open field. He is a great athlete and would improve that position.
Chris
Fri, Aug 14, 2009 : 11:21 a.m.
Correction to " Odoms led Michigan with 49 catches last year as a sophomore...." Odoms was a true freshman last year when he led the team in catches, and surely played like a nervous fool at times. I sure hope he's fixed his fumbling problems, and his concentration issues. I am excited about Grady at slot, though. He's one of my favorite b-ball players (so fast and shift at the point). I still wish McGuffie was on the team, though I am excited to see Minor have a Heisman-like year and Brown also break a few long ones. Can the season start already?
stan
Fri, Aug 14, 2009 : 10:59 a.m.
Aawolve, thanks for the update. I don't remember hearing that in June, but according to Dave's most recent column T-Rob was practicing today. I think that more than corroborates what you've stated.
aawolve
Fri, Aug 14, 2009 : 9:52 a.m.
stan- That was an unfounded rumor from June that quickly died.
tater
Fri, Aug 14, 2009 : 9:44 a.m.
It would be nice to see both Gradys do well this year.
stan
Fri, Aug 14, 2009 : 8:54 a.m.
Dave, have you heard anything about Terrence Robinson's rumored transfer? There's a lengthy thread over at Mgoblog: http://mgoblog.com/content/t-rob-leave While Michigan has plenty of depth at slot with Odoms, Roundtree, Grady, and Gallon, I'd hate to see him leave. Is there any chance that Grady could earn a scholarship for this year? If I remember correctly, he's currently classified as a walk-on.