AUBURN, Ala. – Having a second chance at a senior season is rare, but graduate student Grant Loy is doing just that by continuing his Auburn football career in response to the NCAA COVID-19 additional year of eligibility rule.
The quarterback begins his second season at Auburn after transferring in 2020 from Bowling Green, where he progressed from walk-on to starter, compiling 1,137 passing yards, 642 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
Before arriving at Auburn, Loy completed his bachelor's degree at Bowling Green, graduating in December 2019 in education with a focus on sports management and a minor in marketing. At Auburn, he is in the graduate program studying adult education.
"Being a student-athlete forces you to be committed to what you're doing," Loy said. "I have been around sports my whole life. God has given me physical attributes and put coaches into my life who have helped me get better every single year. I will keep playing football as long as His path leads me there."
The New Washington, Ohio, product chose Auburn to finish his collegiate football career because of the program's rich tradition.
"As soon as Auburn became an option, I was all over it," he said.
Loy's first playing experience has been his most memorable moment at Auburn so far. Even though not everything was normal, it made a mark on Loy.
"My first action came against LSU last year, and that was one of our best wins of the season," he said. "Even though Covid limited the number of fans in the stands and kept us from having Tiger Walk, it was still a great experience."
Loy says he was given an opportunity of a lifetime to compete for Auburn one last year.
"Knowing we're going to play, we're going to have full capacity, it's going to be real," he said. "I have great friends here; there are great people here. Everyone talks about the Auburn family, and that is so true."
Grant Loy passes in practice while offensive coordinator Mike Bobo evaluates
Loy decided to stay for an additional season because he felt he was in good hands learning from new head coach Bryan Harsin and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo.
Arriving at Auburn as a graduate transfer, Loy was intentional about building relationships with teammates.
"I'm just always trying to get to know someone more," he said. "The times in the locker rooms, the stuff you don't see on Saturdays, that's all going to fade away, and I don't want to miss out on making those connections."
After a strenuous offseason strength and conditioning program and a challenging preseason camp, Loy looks forward to competing in the SEC West.
"Everyone is just as confident as I've ever seen them going into the season," he said. "I want to do whatever I can to help this team be the best it can be."
On game days, Loy wears two pairs of socks, part of his structured pregame routine.
"I'm just very organized on game days," he said. "I'm very specific about what I'm doing leading up to game time."
Loy encourages high school players considering walking on to embrace the opportunity.
"Do it!" he said enthusiastically. "Just jump in and work hard and others will notice. I let my actions speak louder than my words when I was proving myself to the team."
In his second season with the Tigers' football program, Loy values his role in the Auburn Family.
"Someone says 'War Eagle,' and it just means more than it does at other places," he said. "They mean it and it's super intentional. I love being part of it.
"Thank you for amazing two years and showing me what the Auburn Family is all about. We are so excited to get back out in front of you all again."
Kaya Meadows is a student worker for Auburn Athletics media relations