Tony Grimes named a breakout cornerback ahead of 2022 season

UNC football defensive back Tony Grimes was named a breakout cornerback ahead of the 2022 season by Pro Football Focus.

UNC football defensive back [autotag]Tony Grimes[/autotag] enters his third season in Chapel Hill, one with high expectations for the former five-star prospect.

Grimes, who reclassified up a year and played right away as a true freshman for UNC, is coming off of an All-ACC Honorable Mention sophomore season. He tied for fifth in the conference with nine pass breakups.

Now, he’s named a breakout candidate ahead of the 2022 season, per Pro Football Focus.

“Grimes is a 2022 breakout candidate who has a sky-high ceiling. The former five-star recruit has been volatile in two years in Chapel Hill. In 2021, Grimes allowed 15 yards or less in eight of 13 games, but he surrendered 60 or more yards in the other five outings. He was also called for nine penalties on the season.”

Grimes, a breakout candidate, is also ranked the No. 24 cornerback in college football heading into the season.

He has totaled 61 tackles, 13 pass breakups and one interception in his two seasons at UNC.

Grimes was also named a fourth-team All-ACC defender on the Athlon preseason All-ACC teams.

After two successful seasons for Grimes, not only are the expectations high on the inside of the locker room but also from a national perspective.

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