Former Pasco High standout Janarion Grant, a Rutgers (New Jersey) University senior wide receiver and top offensive player, suffered a season-ending ankle injury during a 14-7 loss to Iowa University on Sept. 24. Grant, the school’s all-time kickoff return yardage leader, injured his right ankle on a 76-yard reception.
(Courtesy of Rutgers University)
During a Sept. 26 press conference, Rutgers first-year coach Chris Ash said the program will petition the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) to give Grant a fifth-year of eligibility.
Through four games, Grant led the team in receptions (20) and receiving yards (210), and was second in rushing (138 yards, three touchdowns). The 5-foot-10, 180-pound speedster was also the team’s primary return man, averaging 32.5 yards on kickoff returns and 16 yards on punt returns.
Grant, who graduated from Pasco High in 2013, helped guide the Pirates to the Class 5A state semifinals in 2011 and region finals a year later. Coming out of high school, Grant was a consensus three-star recruit with more than a dozen college scholarships.
