Can Reggie Grimes Set The Edge For Memphis In 2024?
Every season we see college coaches looking to the high school ranks and now the transfer portal to fill roster needs for their program. For the Memphis Tigers, in 2024, a position of need is on the defensive side of the ball. The ‘Edge’ position has become a highly sought-after talent. The hybrid style position utilizes speed, agility, hand and feet quickness, along with a tenacity that can be at times a challenging position to fill. Memphis head coach, Ryan Silverfield, and Defensive Coordinator, Jordan Hankins, went to the portal and found a sharp edge in Reggie Grimes.
We will begin with some background on Grimes. From there, we will analyze his stats each season. To close we will predict how Grimes can impact the Memphis defense in 2024.
Reggie Grimes -On The Edge
Grimes, the 6’5, 258-pound edge rusher from Brentwood, TN, comes to Memphis via Oklahoma. The former Sooner was highly touted out of Ravenwood High School as he was a four-star recruit and ranked #6 in his position in the state of Tennessee. To further this point, Grimes would receive offers and take official visits to Florida State, Tennessee, Alabama, and others before his commitment to Oklahoma in 2020. Grimes also has talent in his blood as his father, Reggie, is a former defensive end at Alabama. In addition, his father would play for the New England Patriots for the 2000 season.
How Was Oklahoma?
As mentioned, Grimes committed to the Sooners in 2020. In that season Grimes would appear in 8 games as a defensive back. In these games, he would tally 4 solo tackles, assisted, and 1 sack as a freshman. Grimes would appear against Missouri State, Kansas, and in the Cotton Bowl Classic against Florida in a 55-20 win over the Gators.
As a sophomore, in 2021, Grimes would make his defensive transition to defensive end. He would appear in games while starting in five that season. His impact would be felt as he would have 18 total tackles{ 10 unassisted, 8 assisted}, 2 tackles for loss for 17 yards, and 2 sacks for also a loss of 17 yards. Grimes would again play in the bowl game and would have three tackles and a half sack in the 47-32 Alamo Bowl win over Oregon. Grimes would also be named to the All-Academic All-Big 12 Second Team for his efforts in 2021.
Grimes’s junior season was similar to the year prior as he would again be efficient in his play Grimes would start in all but three games {Iowa State, Texas Tech, Florida State} for the Sooners in 2022. The defensive end would again be named the Academic All-Big 12 Second Team with his stats such as his team-leading sacks, with 4.5 for a loss of 36 yards, as well as his 18 total tackles, 7/5 tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries, and one forced fumble. Grimes would have a career day, against UTEP, as he would work for 2.5 sacks against the Miners. This is a career-high for Grimes. In addition to his sacks, Grimes would also have a career day, in tackles, against Kent State, when he would bring down 4 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks against the Golden Flashes.
Last season Grimes would appear in four games before suffering an injury. Grimes would finish his time in Norman with 38 games played with 15 starts in his four seasons. He would total 43 total tackles with 18 being solo. In addition, Grimes would end with 11 tackles for loss as well as 7 sacks. His times for the Sooners show the talent in Grimes.
With this talent how could he benefit the Memphis Defense?
How Does Grimes Affect Memphis?
As the above numbers show the high level of production is evident. Had an injury not cut 2023 short Grimes’s stats were trending towards a potentially special season. Jordan Hankins gets a player who is coming off an injury and is hungry. We expect Grimes to be used immediately in this new look from the Tigers on defense. His presence on the edge will fill a void from day one followed by many tackles from Grimes.
Reggie Grimes is a name Memphis fans may get used to hearing, and cheering for, and possibly another talent to head to the next level.
