One of the newest additions to Texas A&M has been lauded as one of the more impactful newcomers in the 2023 college football season.
Former North Carolina cornerback Tony Grimes was ranked No. 70 in The Athletic’s College Football Transfer Portal Top 100, which spotlights the most impactful newcomers ahead of the 2023 regular season. Grimes was the lone Aggie to appear on the list, beating fellow transfers such as Sam McCall, Josh DeBerry, Jurriente Davis, and Jahdae Walker.
Grimes was the first player that Texas A&M added through the transfer portal, as the former five-star recruit spent his first three seasons of eligibility as a Tar Heel. During his time at North Carolina, he totaled 97 tackles, 74 solo tackles, 19 pass deflections, and one interception. 36 of those tackles and seven of those pass deflections came during the 2022 campaign.
According to Pro Football Focus, he’s averaged a 63.3 defensive grade, 69.3 tackling grade, and a 66.3 coverage grade during his three seasons at North Carolina.
Grimes joins a handful of transfers in the secondary as the Aggies hope to fill the void left by nickel corner Antonio Johnson and defensive back Jaylon Jones. In 2022, Texas A&M allowed the fewest passing yards per game (162.1) in the SEC, and Grimes’ three seasons of experience should help ensure that unit doesn’t miss a beat. The early expectation was that he would be a likely starting cornerback in the fall; however, recent reports out of fall camp have indicated he’s in the middle of some competition.
Freshman cornerback Jayvon Thomas has apparently battled with Grimes for one of the starting corner roles, which only furthers Jimbo Fisher’s words in that every position is an open battle through fall camp. Even if Grimes were to lose out on a starting spot, that would not exclude him from playing sufficient reps through the fall season.
As a three-year player with over 1,800 snap counts to his name, defensive coordinator DJ Durkin would be remiss to keep that level of experience on the sidelines. Especially with injuries being an unfortunate reality of college football, Grimes’ speed, length, and football intelligence should prove too valuable to pass up once Texas A&M finalizes its depth chart before Week 1.
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