Breakout Junior Year Led To VT’s Pursuit Of Hezekiah Grimsley

Virginia Tech edged out Maryland as Lafayette (Williamsburg, VA) wide receiver Hezekiah Grimsley’s school of choice. A major factor according to Rams head coach Andy Linn was the consistency Virginia Tech showed in its recruitment of the talented rising senior.

“I think Virginia Tech pushed for him a little more. They recruited him a little more,” Linn said. “Maryland sent a coach down who didn’t know who he was. We were standing in our weight room and Hezzy was in the lifting class at the time. He asked which one was Hezzy… he didn’t know Hezzy was right beside him. I don’t think Hezzy liked that. Virginia Tech did a really good job recruiting him. Coach Fuente came down to see Cheyton (Pine) last year. He met and introduced himself to Hezzy then. That really, really helped. Maryland did a good job, too. Mike London is a good recruiter and I think that kept Hezzy interested, but Virginia Tech is in-state, it’s closer to home so his mom can go see him play, and in Blacksburg it’s all about Virginia Tech football.”

While watching video of class of 2016 recruit Cheyton Pine, a top target of Virginia Tech’s who ultimately signed with Pittsburgh, the Virginia Tech coaches first took notice of Grimsley, who put forth a breakout performance with over 1,000 yards receiving and 18 total touchdowns his junior season.

“Watching Cheyton, they said, ‘Who is this guy?’,” Linn recalled. “Last year was Hezzy’s first year as a varsity player. After the end of his sophomore year he really got into the weight room and made himself better physically. His arms are so long. He’s 6’1”, but his catching radius is about 6’5”. He was always a great deep route runner. He has sneakier speed than people think. Now, he is really, really good at every route.”

...