With San Francisco 49ers sixth-round draft pick Tim Harris gone and junior Darrius Bratton out for the season as a result of a non-contact knee injury suffered in fall camp last month, we knew Virginia football would feature a new starting cornerback opposite All-American Bryce Hall in the season opener at Pittsburgh. Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall wound up giving the job to junior Nick Grant, who had seen little action on defense in his first three years in the program (a redshirt year plus two seasons primarily playing special teams) but had a terrific offseason and fall camp.

The 6’1”, 200-pound Grant has adapted just fine to his new and much bigger role.

“He’s one of those dudes who’s, literally, he stayed down for so long. He’s a dude who every year has gotten better,” Bryce Hall said of Grant. “He’s kind of gone through that process. He’s stayed ready, been overlooked at times, and then he finally got his opportunity he’s made the most out of it. Man, I’m proud of him. That’s my brother. That’s my roommate. He deserves it. What you see is the fruit of the work that’s been put in.”

“That’s my guy,” safety Joey Blount said of Grant. “I’ve been for Nick, his work ethic, his progression. I think the opportunity that’s in front of him is the best thing to ever happen to him. He had to stay down for the come up right now, and [against Florida State] he had one of the best games I’ve ever seen from a corner. He had some key pass breakups, he was tackling on the edges, he was fitting in his fits. I think Nick is just an all-around player for us. It’s his time and I think he’s taking his time by the horns.”

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