Ryan Grant

Infobox NFLactive


caption=Grant during pre-game warmups before a 2007 game against the Chicago Bears
currentteam=Green Bay Packers
currentnumber=25
currentposition=Running back
birthdate=birth date and age|mf=yes|1982|12|9
birthplace=Suffern, New York
heightft=6
heightin=1
weight=218
debutyear=2007
debutteam=Green Bay Packers
college=Notre Dame
undraftedyear=2005
draftyear=
draftround=
draftpick=
pastteams=
* New York Giants (2005–2006) *
* Green Bay Packers (2007–present):*Inactive and/or practice squad member only
status=Active
highlights=
* Achievements and Awards
nfl=GRA497823

Ryan Grant (born December 9, 1982 in Suffern, New York) is an American football running back for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2005 but was traded to the Packers shortly before the 2007 season in exchange for a future sixth-round draft pick. He played college football at Notre Dame, under head coaches Bob Davie and Tyrone Willingham, where he rushed for over 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Grant had a successful first season with the Packers, rushing for almost 1,000 yards, including five 100+ yard games, in 10 starts. He set franchise records with 201 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns in the Packers' divisional playoff game win against the Seattle Seahawks, a performance for which he was heavily praised, as they went on to reach the NFC Championship Game.

High school career

Grant grew up in Nyack, New York and attended Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, New Jersey. [Silverstein, Tom. [http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=707760 "Prep school holds Grant in high regard for starting strong tradition on gridiron"] , "Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel", January 15, 2008. Accessed June 15, 2008. "Running back Ryan Grant (above, below) starred at Don Bosco High School in Ramsey, N.J., in 1999-'00."] He then transferred to Clarkstown South High School in West Nyack, New York.cite web | url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/01162008/sports/giants/who_s_ryan_now__600635.htm | title=Who's Ryan Now? | publisher="New York Post" | author=Paul Schwartz | date=2008-01-16 | accessdate=2008-03-06] One year later, he transferred back to Don Bosco Prep. In 2000, his senior year, "USA Today" named him New Jersey Player of the Year. He rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and 26 touchdowns in Don Bosco Prep's run to an 11–1 record and the state championship game.cite web | url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/grant_ryan00.html | title=Ryan Grant Biography | publisher="UND.cstv.com" | accessdate=2008-01-25] In the championship game, Don Bosco Prep lost to Holy Cross High School. [cite web|title=Brian Bennett Biography|publisher="pittsburghpanthers.cstv.com"|url=http://pittsburghpanthers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/bennett_brian00.html|accessdate=2008-03-20] In high school, Grant also played basketball and competed in track and field, where he was timed at 10.7 seconds in the 100 meter dash.

College career

In 2001, Grant went to the University of Notre Dame to play football for the Fighting Irish while majoring in sociology and computer science. He made few appearances during his freshman year, playing in just five games under coach Bob Davie as the Fighting Irish finished 5–6 for the season. Davie was not retained, and Tyrone Willingham was named head coach for Grant's sophomore season. [cite web | url=http://static.espn.go.com/ncf/news/2001/1202/1288660.html | title=Davie's tenure at ND ends after five seasons | publisher="ESPN" | date=2001-12-02 | accessdate=2008-03-02] [cite web | url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/123101aaa.html | title=Tyrone Willingham Named Notre Dame Football Coach | publisher="UND.cstv.com" | date=2001-12-31 | accessdate=2008-03-02] Early on, Willingham praised Grant for his attitude:

cquote|In reference to Ryan Grant, he has been most pleasing in not only his performance but his attitude. I am a big person on attitude, how a young man works at doing anything that he attempts to do. Ryan really wants to be a great player, and he works every day toward that goal. So it's exciting when you have a young man that has that kind of attitude.

He's not limited by attitude. He has some ability, too. It's exciting to work with him and kind of incorporate him into our total offense.|200|50|Tyrone Willingham [cite web | url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/083002aaa.html | title=Notre Dame vs. Maryland Q&A :: Coach Tyrone Willingham and players answer questions about Kickoff Classic XX | publisher="UND.cstv.com" | date=2002-08-30 | accessdate=2008-03-02]

In fellow running back Julius Jones' absence, Willingham gave Grant starts for all twelve games in 2002, and Grant rushed for over 1,000 yards with 9 touchdowns, including four games with 100+ yards. [cite web | url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/02indgbg.html | title=Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Football - 2002 Individual Game-by-Game stats | publisher="UND.cstv.com" | accessdate=2008-01-23] Grant's best game during his time at Notre Dame came against Air Force, as he gained 190 yards rushing and a touchdown in a 21–14 Fighting Irish win. [cite web | url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/102002aab.html | title=# 7 Notre Dame 21, #15 Air Force 14 | publisher="UND.cstv.com" | date=2002-10-19 | accessdate=2008-01-23] The following week, the Fighting Irish defeated Florida State and were ranked a season-high #4 on the AP Poll. [cite web | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankingsindex?seasonYear=2002&weekNumber=11&seasonType=2 | title=2002 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 10 (Oct. 27) | publisher="ESPN" | date=2002-10-27 | accessdate=2008-03-02] Notre Dame finished the season at 10–3 and ranked #17 on both the AP Poll and Coaches' Poll. [cite web | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankingsindex?seasonYear=2002 | title=2002 NCAA Football Rankings - Postseason Week 3 (Jan. 5) | publisher="ESPN" | date=2003-01-05 | accessdate=2008-03-02]

The 2003 season saw Grant split time with a returning Julius Jones. After starting the first five games, Grant only managed 242 rushing yards before being dropped. Indeed, Jones took over in the fifth game and ran for 262 yards and 2 touchdowns against Pitt, a school record, in a 20–14 victory. [cite web | url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/101103aaa.html | title=Fighting Irish Run To Victory, 20–14 | publisher="UND.cstv.com" | date=2003-10-11 | accessdate=2008-01-23] Grant did not start any of the final seven games, and he rushed for 268 yards in that time, leaving him with 510 yards for his junior year. [cite web | url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/indgbg.html | title=Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Football - 2003 Individual Game-by-Game stats | publisher="UND.cstv.com" | accessdate=2008-01-23]

For his senior year, Grant was named a team captain for the Fighting Irish, [cite web | url=http://und.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nd/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/07fbguidehistory | title=Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Statistical Trends | publisher="UND.cstv.com" | accessdate=2008-01-23] but he split time with a new running back, Darius Walker. Playing in nine games, Grant only managed to pass 100 yards once, with 112 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 27–9 win over Navy. [cite web | url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/101604aaa.html | title=Notre Dame Hands Navy First Loss, 27–9 | publisher="UND.cstv.com" | date=2004-10-16 | accessdate=2008-01-23] After injuring his hamstring, Grant's playing time was limited and Walker took over the starting job at running back. Grant finished the year with 515 yards and 5 touchdowns. [cite web | url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2004-2005/indgbg.html | title=Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Football - 2004 Individual Game-by-Game stats | publisher="UND.cstv.com" | accessdate=2008-01-23] In Grant's final year, Notre Dame finished 6–6 and were never ranked higher than 24th by the AP or Coaches' polls. [cite web | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankingsindex?seasonYear=2004&weekNumber=9&seasonType=2 | title=2004 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 8 (Oct. 17) | publisher="ESPN" | date=2004-10-07 | accessdate=2008-03-02] For his collegiate career, Grant ran for a total of 2,220 yards and 18 touchdowns. [cite web|title=Ryan Grant|publisher="TSN"|url=http://www.tsn.ca/NFL/teams/players/bio/?id=7863&hubname=nfl-packers|accessdate=2008-03-21]

Professional career

Grant applied for the 2005 NFL Draft after his senior year and was invited to the 2005 NFL Scouting Combine, a week-long showcase for NFL hopefuls. Scouts did not credit Grant with exceptional speed, but he was clocked at 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the Combine.cite news | url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=655720 | title=Packers trade for back | author=Bob McGinn | publisher="Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel" | date=2007-09-01 | accessdate=2007-12-20]

Note: Preseason and Postseason not added to figures.http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9475

Achievements and awards

* Longest touchdown run (career): 66 yards (vs. Chicago Bears, December 23, 2007)
* Most rushing yards (game): 201 yards (vs. Seattle Seahawks, January 12, 2008, Divisional playoff round)cite web | url=http://stats.washingtonpost.com/fb/preview.asp?g=20080120009&home=9&vis=19 | title=Giants-Packers Preview | publisher="Washington Post" | author=Santosh Venkataraman | date=2008-01-17 | accessdate=2008-03-06]
* Packers franchise record for most rushing touchdowns (3) in a playoff game (vs. Seattle Seahawks, January 12, 2008)
* Packers franchise record for most rushing yards (201) in a playoff game (vs. Seattle Seahawks, January 12, 2008)
* Seventh player in NFL history to rush for 200 yards or more in a post-season game. (vs. Seattle Seahawks, January 12, 2008)
* Voted the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week for games played on November 11–12 and games played between December 6–10

References

External links

* [http://www.nfl.com/players/ryangrant/profile?id=GRA497823 Ryan Grant] at "NFL.com"
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7635 Ryan Grant] at "ESPN"
* [http://www.packers.com/team/players/grant_ryan/ Green Bay Packers bio]
* [http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/grant_ryan00.html Notre Dame Fighting Irish bio]

Persondata
NAME = Ryan Grant
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = American football player
DATE OF BIRTH = December 9, 1982
PLACE OF BIRTH = Suffern, New York, United States
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =