Jakeem Grant
refer to caption
Grant with the Browns in 2023
No. 9 – Cleveland Browns
Position:Wide receiver
Return specialist
Personal information
Born: (1992-10-30) October 30, 1992 (age 31)
Athens, Texas, U.S.
Height:5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight:170 lb (77 kg)
Career information
High school:John Horn (Mesquite, Texas)
College:Texas Tech (2011–2015)
NFL draft:2016 / Round: 6 / Pick: 186
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Receptions:100
Receiving yards:1,140
Receiving touchdowns:7
Return yards:3,927
Return touchdowns:6
Rushing attempts:17
Rushing yards:76
Rushing touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Jakeem Grant Sr. (born October 30, 1992)[1] is an American football wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL), usually operating as a return specialist. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft and has also played for the Chicago Bears. He played college football at Texas Tech, where he set their all-time record for receiving yards. On December 12, 2021, Grant broke the Bears' franchise record for longest punt return for a touchdown by scoring on a 97-yard punt return in a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The return is the tenth longest punt returned for a touchdown in NFL history.[2]

Early years

Grant attended John Horn High School in Mesquite, Texas, and was a three-star prospect rated by Rivals.com. He held offers from Colorado State, Iowa State, Louisiana Tech, Pittsburgh, Texas Tech, Tulsa, Vanderbilt, and Wake Forest.[3] He was originally committed to Tulsa but flipped his commitment to Texas Tech soon before Signing Day.[4][5]

College career

Grant redshirted during his first season in 2011. In the following 2012 season, Grant played in all 13 games and recorded 32 receptions, 287 yards, and three touchdowns. He returned a kickoff for a 99-yard touchdown in the 2012 Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas.[6] He earned ESPN All-Big 12 1st Team Freshman honors following the season.

In 2013, Grant played in 12 games for 65 receptions, 796 receiving yards, seven touchdowns, and was named All-Big 12 Conference Honorable Mention.[7]

In 2014, Grant played in 12 games for 67 receptions, 938 receiving yards, seven touchdowns, and again earned All-Big 12 Conference Honorable Mention honors.[8]

In his final season, in 2015, Grant was selected as a CBS Sports second-team All-American and an Associated Press third-team All-American in 2015 as an all-purpose player.[9][10] Grant caught 90 passes for 1,268 yards and 10 touchdowns, which broke Biletnikoff Award winning Red Raider Michael Crabtree's school record in career yardage.[11] Grant returned an additional two kickoffs for touchdowns during the season, setting the school record for the category.

During Texas Tech's Pro Day, a New Orleans Saints scout recorded his 40-yard dash speed at a hand-timed 4.1 seconds, potentially beating Bo Jackson's hand-timed 4.12 seconds at the NFL Combine in 1986.[12] His electronically recorded 40 yard dash time is 4.34 seconds.[13]

College statistics

Season Team GP Receiving Kick return
Rec Yds Avg TD Ret Yds Avg TD
2012 Texas Tech 13 32 284 8.9 3 6 237 39.5 2
2013 Texas Tech 11 65 796 12.2 7 19 400 21.1 0
2014 Texas Tech 12 67 938 14.0 3 23 515 22.4 0
2015 Texas Tech 13 90 1,268 14.1 10 39 1,017 26.1 2
Total 49 254 3,286 12.9 27 87 2,169 24.9 4

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 5+7⁄8 in
(1.67 m) 		165 lb
(75 kg) 		29+3⁄4 in
(0.76 m) 		8+5⁄8 in
(0.22 m)		 4.38 s 1.54 s 2.58 s 4.06 s 7.01 s 36.5 in
(0.93 m)		 9 ft 9 in
(2.97 m)		 15 reps
All values from Texas Tech Pro Day[14][15]

Miami Dolphins

After running a 4.42 and 4.38 40-yard dash at his Texas Tech pro day,[16] Grant was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round, 186th overall, of the 2016 NFL Draft.[17] On October 9, 2016, Grant's first career touchdown came on a 74-yard punt return against the Tennessee Titans in Week 5 of his rookie season.[18] The return made 'NFL Now's Top 5 Most Athletic Plays' list at number 1.[19] In the 2016 season, he contributed as a returner on special teams.[20]

In the 2017 season, Grant appeared in all 16 games and recorded 13 receptions for 203 receiving yard and two receiving touchdowns. He contributed on kickoff and punt returns on special teams.[21]

In Week 1 of the 2018 season, Grant had a 102-yard kick off return touchdown in a 27–20 win over the Titans, earning him American Football Conference (AFC) Special Teams Player of the Week.[22] In Week 3, against the Oakland Raiders, he had two receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.[23] Grant recorded a 70-yard punt return touchdown in Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals.[24] He suffered an Achilles injury in Week 10 and underwent season-ending surgery.[25]

On August 20, 2019, Grant signed a four-year contract extension with the Dolphins.[26] In Week 11 in the 2019 season, Grant returned a kickoff for a touchdown, this for 101 yards in a 37–20 loss against the Buffalo Bills.[27] On November 27, Grant was placed on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain.[28] In the 2019 season, he appeared in ten games and recorded 19 receptions for 164 receiving yards.[29]

On November 1, 2020, against the Los Angeles Rams, Grant returned a punt for an 88 yard touchdown during the 28–17 win.[30] During the game, Grant set three Dolphins team franchise records: longest punt return (88 yds), three career punt returns for a touchdown, and five returns for a touchdown.[31] On November 4, 2020, Grant was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in Week 8.[32] Once the season concluded Grant earned Second-team All-Pro honors for his performance as a punt returner.[33] Grant appeared in 14 games and recorded 36 receptions for 373 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[34]

Chicago Bears

Grant was traded to the Chicago Bears on October 5, 2021, in exchange for a sixth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.[35] His first appearance on the team was in week 5 in a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

In Week 13, Grant had five receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown in a 33–22 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.[36] In Week 14, Grant had one reception for 46 yards and a touchdown, and also returned a punt for a 97 yard touchdown, each in the first half, in the 45–30 loss to the Green Bay Packers, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[37][38] He was named to the Pro Bowl.[39]

Cleveland Browns

On March 16, 2022, Grant signed a three-year contract with the Cleveland Browns.[40] He was placed on injured reserve on August 10, 2022, after injuring his Achilles tendon during practice.[41]

In the final game of the 2023 preseason, Grant was carted off with a knee injury. He was diagnosed with a ruptured patellar tendon and was placed on injured reserve on August 27, 2023, ending his season.[42]

Personal life

He grew up in a Dallas, Texas, single parent home with his mom, Sylvia Whittaker, and two brothers, Markeith Whittaker and Keonte Grant. Grant attended John Horn High School. He was stabbed in a nightclub in 2014. He is now married and has three children.[43]

In 2016, Grant starred in the NFL Network's TV series Undrafted.[44]

References

  1. ^ https://media.miamidolphins.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Grant-Jakeem.pdf Archived June 15, 2020, at the Wayback Machine[bare URL PDF]
  2. ^ Medina, Luis (December 12, 2021). "Jakeem Grant Just Went 97-Yards For a Punt Return TD - Bleacher Nation". Bleacher Nation. Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  3. ^ Fernandez, Andre (September 21, 2018). "While others got taller, Jakeem Grant got faster. That speed..." The Athletic. Archived from the original on October 9, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  4. ^ "Mesquite Horn WR Jakeem Grant decommits from Tulsa". SportsDayHS. The Dallas Morning News. January 12, 2011. Archived from the original on October 9, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  5. ^ "Horn WR Jakeem Grant commits to Texas Tech over Pitt". SportsDayHS. The Dallas Morning News. January 17, 2011. Archived from the original on October 9, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  6. ^ "Jakeem Grant 2012 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  7. ^ "Jakeem Grant 2013 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  8. ^ "Jakeem Grant 2014 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  9. ^ Silverstein, Adam (December 9, 2015). "CBS Sports 2015 College Football All-America Team". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  10. ^ "AP All-America Team, List". AP.org. Associated Press. December 13, 2015. Archived from the original on May 27, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  11. ^ "Texas Tech's Jakeem Grant earns Sports Illustrated All-america Second Team honors". KCBD. December 10, 2015. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  12. ^ Haislop, Tadd (March 11, 2016). "Texas Tech's Jakeem Grant clocked at 4.10 in 40-yard dash". SportingNews. Archived from the original on April 20, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  13. ^ "Jakeem Grant Blazes a 4.34 40-yard dash". YouTube.com. NFL Network. October 9, 2016. Archived from the original on February 4, 2017. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  14. ^ "Diminutive Texas Tech WR Jakeem Grant posts fast 40 time". NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  15. ^ "Jakeem Grant, Texas Tech, WR, 2016 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  16. ^ "Diminutive Texas Tech WR Jakeem Grant posts fast 40 time". nfl.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  17. ^ Poupart, Alain (April 30, 2016). "Dolphins Select Grant In Sixth Round". MiamiDolphins.com. Archived from the original on August 24, 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  18. ^ "Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins – October 9th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 15, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  19. ^ "Jakeem Grant of 'NFL: Undrafted' Scores 1st Touchdown For Dolphins". 2paragraphs. October 18, 2016. Archived from the original on October 20, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  20. ^ "Jakeem Grant 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  21. ^ "Jakeem Grant 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  22. ^ Teope, Herbie (September 12, 2018). "Mahomes, Fitzpatrick among Players of the Week". NFL.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  23. ^ Deen, Safid (September 23, 2018). "Dolphins' speed shines bright in win over Raiders, Miami's first 3–0 start since 2013". Sun-Sentinel.com. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  24. ^ "Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins - September 23rd, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  25. ^ Gantt, Darin (November 19, 2018). "Jakeem Grant having season-ending surgery". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  26. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (August 20, 2019). "Jakeem Grant gets four-year extension from Dolphins". NFL.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  27. ^ Deen, Safid (November 17, 2019). "Jakeem Grant makes Dolphins history with 101-yard kickoff return vs. Bills". Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  28. ^ Nogle, Kevin (November 27, 2019). "Jakeem Grant to Injured Reserve for Dolphins". The Phinsider. SB Nation. Archived from the original on January 17, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  29. ^ "Jakeem Grant 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  30. ^ "Los Angeles Rams at Miami Dolphins – November 1st, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  31. ^ "Miami Dolphins Career Kick & Punt Returns Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  32. ^ Gordon, Grant (November 4, 2020). "Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, Vikings RB Dalvin Cook among Players of the Week". NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  33. ^ "2020 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  34. ^ "Jakeem Grant 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  35. ^ Patra, Kevin (October 5, 2021). "Bears acquire WR Jakeem Grant in trade with Dolphins". NFL.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  36. ^ "Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears - December 5th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  37. ^ "Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers - December 12th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  38. ^ Gordon, Grant (December 15, 2021). "Chargers QB Justin Herbert, 49ers TE George Kittle lead NFL Players of the Week". NFL.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  39. ^ "2021 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  40. ^ Poisal, Anthony (March 16, 2022). "Browns agree to terms with Pro Bowl return specialist and WR Jakeem Grant". ClevelandBrowns.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  41. ^ Easterling, Chris (August 10, 2022). "Cleveland Browns training camp day 11: Jakeem Grant Sr. suffers Achilles injury, put on IR". Akron Beacon Journal. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  42. ^ "Browns reduce roster to 76". ClevelandBrowns.com. August 27, 2023.
  43. ^ Houtz, Josh (September 28, 2016). "Dolphins Rookie Wide Receiver Jakeem Grant featured on NFL Network's "Undrafted"". SB Nation. Archived from the original on February 28, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  44. ^ "Emmy-Nominated NFL Network Series 'Undrafted' Returns September 13". NFL Communications. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.

External links

Miami Dolphins 2016 NFL Draft selections
Cleveland Browns roster
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