In the world of sports, the journey from a young aspirant to a star athlete is marked by dedication, challenges, and dreams. I had the privilege to talk with 4-star corner and Alabama Football commit Jameer Grimsley, a star defensive back from Tampa Catholic in Florida. Jameer was a huge pick-up for the Alabama Football team this summer, and he looks to add his name to the long list of Crimson Tide legends when he gets to Tuscaloosa. Our conversation unveiled not only his passion for the game but also his unwavering commitment to achieving excellence.
Who do you model your game after? Any players you watched growing up that you tried to emulate?
Jameer: “I model my game after a couple of players. I like to watch Jalen Ramsey, Patrick Surtain, and an older corner I like to watch is Champ Bailey. I grew up watching receivers and quarterbacks, like Cam Newton. I liked Randy Moss and Julio Jones, and of course Champ Bailey as well as Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. I never tried to emulate any one specific player though. I take certain things that I like from different players and create my own play style.”
What are you most looking forward to once you get on campus at Alabama?
Jameer: “I’m most looking forward to getting bigger and stronger as well as learning the playbook fast and competing as a freshman. It’s a new experience and I’m just trying to learn as much as possible and be the best player I can be.”
What are some goals going into college?
Jameer: “My goals are to become a starter and become a first-round draft pick. I want to be one of the best cornerbacks Alabama has ever seen and become an all-American, possibly a Jim Thorpe award winner as well. It may be high expectations but I believe in myself and I think I am capable of doing so.”
Is there anything that you saw from ‘Bama in your recruitment that stood out to you compared to other schools?
Jameer: “They just stood out because of their tradition. I believe in the coaching and I believe in the development and I want to be the best. In order to be the best you have to play the best and what better place to go than Alabama? I know it’ll be a humbling experience but it will be a good one for me in the long run especially with me wanting to play in the NFL someday.”
Any Alabama commits or players you have talked to since committing?
Jameer: “I keep in contact with all the DBs committed like Bak, Zabien, Pey Pey, Red, and some others as well as some current players like Jahlil and Dezz.”
Are you still keeping your recruitment open or are you locked in with Alabama?
Jameer: “My recruitment is not really open. I’m committed to Bama and as of right now, I don’t see that changing.”
Before transferring to Tampa Catholic, Jameer was a two-way player at Bloomingdale High School, getting snaps at both WR and CB. He caught 25 passes for 356 yards and 3 TDs in 10 games. On the defensive side of the ball, he totaled 10 tackles, a PBU, and an INT. He also ran track, posting impressive times of 10.84 in the 100-meter dash, 21.79 in the 200-meter dash, and owns a personal-best 52.12 in the 400-meter dash. He is the no. 16 DB in the class and the no. 29 player in Florida, and he only looks to climb in the rankings in his final year at Tampa Catholic.