'Once you set your goals, you keep chasing them' - Corey Grant graduates

'Once you set your goals, you keep chasing them' - Corey Grant graduates'Once you set your goals, you keep chasing them' - Corey Grant graduates

May 8, 2017

By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com

AUBURN, Ala. - The way Corey Grant's year began - a 100-yard game in his first NFL start on New Year's Day -- it was going to take something big to top it.

That something happened Sunday during Commencement, when he shook hands with Auburn University president Dr. Jay Gogue at Auburn Arena, Grant's first steps as an Auburn graduate.

"I set this goal a long time ago," said Grant, who earned his degree in physical education. "The NFL was a goal, too. I had to take a break (from academics) to focus on another goal. Once you set your goals, you keep chasing them. To come back and finish is a great feeling."

One week, he's rushing for 122 yards and scoring his first touchdown for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the season finale. The next, he's walking from class to class, going over his syllabus and picking out textbooks.

"At times, it was like, `I could be doing something else,'" said Grant, whose NFL teammates were sharing their offseason adventures on social media. "They're laying up at the beach somewhere and I'm in this classroom. But, it will pay off. It's going to mean a lot."

Growing up in nearby Opelika, Grant's parents, both college graduates, instilled in their son the importance of education. Auburn's recently retired senior associate athletics director, Dr. Gary Waters, Grant's high school coach, Auburn offensive analyst Brian Blackmon, and his Auburn position coach, Tim Horton, reinforced that message: books now, beach later.

"Coach Horton always harped on, `You've got a chance to go play NFL ball, but I want you to come back and finish your degree,'" Grant said. "I had all of these guys, parents and coaches always on me, so that's why."

To complete his degree, Grant missed two weeks of voluntary ("we all know what `voluntary' means") workouts in Jacksonville. Being able to train at Auburn with strength and conditioning coach Ryan Russell during the spring semester allowed Grant to stay in NFL shape.

"That's really one of my main reasons for coming back," Grant said. "They have a great staff and he always encourages us to come back. I saw a big transition in my body and performance working with Coach Russell and his staff. With me knowing that, why turn that training down when I know it helped me get to where I am?"

Grant says strength and conditioning was his "first love," but lately, he's showing an interest in athletics administration. That might require more education, something Grant is eager to pursue after taking a break after the 2017 season.

"Eventually, I'm going to come back and get a master's, and continue on every year," he said. "When you're playing in the league, the league pays for your schooling. So why not come back and use that and get ahead?"

Corey Grant rushed for 647 yards in 2013, including a touchdown against Georgia." style="width:100%; height:auto;" class="imported_image" legacy-link="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/aub/sports/m-footbl/auto_a_storywide/12659935.jpeg"> Corey Grant rushed for 647 yards in 2013, including a touchdown against Georgia.

A key member of Auburn's 2013 SEC Championship team, Grant says playing in the Southeastern Conference prepared him for pro football.

"It was a great transition, playing in the SEC, and playing under Coach Malzahn," Grant said. "The physicality is not that different. You're playing against the same guys. It's really the mental side of it. Once you get to the league, if you don't have that mental side and that drive to study, you have guys who aren't that good on the field but their mental side of the ball makes up for it."

Grant averaged 9.8 yards per carry for Auburn in 2013, forming a formidable running back alliance with Tre Mason and Cameron Artis-Payne. He sees similarities in the Tigers 2017 backfield.

"Watching Kamryn Pettway, he's going to be a great back," Grant said. "He's going to be that downhill guy, which he proved last year. I can see that transitioning into the league. Kerryon Johnson, he's a great back, too. I see more of myself in him. I think he has a little bit more shiftiness than me.

"Having that combination, you've always got to have two or three backs in the SEC who can carry the load. With those two guys, they're going to do a great job and I know Coach Horton is going to be on them, and Coach Malzahn is going to be on Coach Horton. It's going to be a great year for the running backs."

Degree in hand, Grant now returns to Jacksonville for his third season in the NFL, secure knowing his dedication to finishing his undergraduate education strengthened his post-football future.

"Football is fun and all," he said. "It supports you and it can give you a jumpstart in life. Academics is very important. You've got to have something to fall back on. Football's going to end one day. You can't play football forever. That's something to always think about."

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer