EDITOR’S NOTE – Former Times-Dispatch colleague John Packett checks in with the Tribe of the College of William and Mary on a regular basis for Virginia Sports Now. In this week’s installment, he takes a look at standout tailback Jonathan Grimes.
It doesn’t seem to matter to Jonathan Grimes whether he’s a true freshman just happy to be on the team or a sophomore in a starring role.
The 5-10, 201-pounder from Palmyra, N.J., is going to work as hard as he can either way to be as good as he can.
And so far, that’s put him on track to become one of the best running backs in the long history of William and Mary football.
“He’s a young man that has a tremendous work ethic,” said W&M coach Jimmye Laycock. “He’s got a lot of ability but he’s got that great work ethic. When you take that kind of ability and you keep working at it and working at it, you’re bound to get better.
“That’s what he’s done. He’s not content to just stay where he is. He doesn’t know anything but full speed, whether it’s in the game or in a Thursday practice. He continues to become a better and better back, and a very good, all-around football player.”
Grimes turned in his best performance to date on Saturday, rushing for a career-high 158 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown in a 24-3 Colonial Athletic Association victory over James Madison on homecoming in Williamsburg.
The speedy tailback also caught three passes for 12 yards and registered 32 return yards on kickoffs.
Grimes now leads the CAA in rushing, averaging 92 yards per game. and is 20th in the country among Football Championship Subdivision schools. He also tops the league in all-purpose yards (138 average) and ranks 19th nationally.
“It didn’t really change anything at all,” Grimes said, referring to the difference between last year when he moved into the starting lineup as a freshman because of injuries, or this season when he began the year as the starter.
“It’s always going to be football. You’ve always got to work hard and try to do your best every game.”
A year ago, Grimes took over after injuries sidelined DeBrian Holmes and Terrence Riggins, finishing with a school, freshman-best 929 yards. He was named CAA offensive rookie of the year as well as second-team all-conference.
While he was pretty much the main man carrying the ball in 2008, he’s got plenty of help this season in Riggins, Courtland Marriner and even quarterback R.J. Archer, who can scramble his way out of trouble when the situation calls for it.
“We have so many backs this year that can do so much, so there’s really no pressure on me,” Grimes said. “Courtland is a very solid back. Riggins runs hard. And we’ve got [redshirt freshman] Mel Jones, who gets in every game and also contributes and works hard in practice, too.”
In the victory over JMU, the Tribe kept the ball on the ground most of the second half in beating the Dukes for the first time since 2004. In fact, Laycock informed the team at halftime that he wanted to keep the ball on the ground as much as possible after intermission.
“When coach Laycock comes in and says we’re going to run the ball, that’s a testimony to the offensive line,” said Grimes, giving his teammates plenty of credit for opening holes for all of the running backs. “That means he feels we can run the ball.”
W&M’s starting offensive line consists of center C.J. Muse, guards Derek Toon and Chris Sutton and tackles Keith Hill Jr. and Jake Marcey. Muse is the only senior in the group, so most of them will return next season to help create more opportunities for Grimes.
In seven games this season, Grimes has rushed for 641 yards, averaging 5.0 yards per carry, and scored five touchdowns. He’s also caught 24 passes for 130 yards and another TD. If that’s not enough, Grimes has averaged 17.5 yards on 11 kickoff returns.
Grimes’ next opportunity to showcase his considerable skills comes Saturday when the fifth-ranked Tribe (3-1, 6-1) goes to Rhode Island (0-4, 1-6) for a CAA matchup that should keep W&M in the thick of the South Division race with top-ranked Richmond (5-0, 7-0) and No. 4 Villanova (4-1,7-1).
“He knows the offense better this year,” said Laycock. “He sees things differently. He’s more experienced. He’s involved in the passing game. He made a heck of a play for us on third and whatever to pick up a first down on Saturday. It was a smart play.
“He’s becoming not just a ballcarrier, but an all-around, good football player.”
And a modest one at that. Grimes prefers to talk more about his teammates than he does himself.
He’s also had to deal with a change in quarterbacks this season, from pass-oriented Jake Phillips to a scrambler like Archer.
“R.J. is a little more mobile,” said Grimes. “He knows how to get a first down with his legs. Sometimes guys might not be open and he gives them as much time as he can to get open, or he can pick up a first down if he sees an opening. He makes it look so easy.”
The same can be said for Grimes, who continues quietly on his way into the record books at William and Mary.
You must log in to post a comment.