[olldflame]

Old Flame, I am quite sure that the heavyweight you recall facing Carlton Hasselrig was Mike Hatch, no relation to Grant Jones. He finished second in NCAA Division II nationals twice, losing to Hasselrig a couple of times in his career, including the national finals. Grant Jones' dad wrestled several years earlier and never faced Hasselrig.

You are probably right (things blur over the years for me), and I do remember Mike Hatch. It just seemed to me that Grant's dad Roy was in that time period.

[libertyFANatic123]

from the ultimate 100 article on rivals

Though Rowell was the best player on the offensive line, Grant Jones may have been the best prospect. Jones, out of Lynchburg (Va.) Liberty Christian Academy has a great frame (6-5/297) and at that size he really moves well, has good ankle flexibility and looks fully capable of blocking the edge as a tackle.

http://virginiapreps.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=956079

[libertyFANatic123]

from the ultimate 100 elite 11 article on rivals:

OT Grant Jones
6-5/297, Lynchburg (Va.) Liberty Christian Academy
Jones is physically a monster at such a young age with the look of a monster right tackle or a road-grading guard. He has huge thighs and a big backside and plenty of lower body strength which allows him to anchor well. He needs some upper body work, but he has a good punch and is very aggressive. Jones is a physical player who takes on all comers and loves to mix things up. He had the most physical upside of any offensive lineman at the event although he still has some footwork and technique issues to work on.

[Champion]

Jones won the camp MVP award at Danny Rocco's LU football camp last week. Saw a picture on his facebook, but I have no idea how to post pictures here.Congratulations Grant Jones! Nice work! I like this kid more and more every day!

[Sly Fox]

Grant is being enticed by some of the biggest powerhouses in college football right now.

[soccer7]

This would be one of those statement signings and man would the future look brighter than the sun if this kid came in with another class like 2010

[Sly Fox]

February 7, 2010
Elite Linemen Compete at BadgerSports Event

Mike Farrell
Rivals.com Football Recruiting

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - While the Mid-Atlantic region was bombarded with snow ranging from 30 inches in Maryland to roughly 8 inches at Rutgers University in Piscataway, N.J., the high school prospect evaluation business didn't take a break. And while the weather kept some away, the first day of the BadgerSports Elite Lineman Challenge presented by New Level Athletics rolled on with many big names in attendance.

And here's the report on Grant ...

Lynchburg (Va.) Liberty Christian Academy offensive tackle Grant Jones got better as the first day progressed. After struggling a bit early in drills, Jones became more and more comfortable and peaked at the one-on-ones where he beat (Giorgio) Newberry in his last rep before being forced to retire for the day due to a nasty cut over his eye. Jones has very good size and uses his long arms well and has sneaky agility for a massive lineman.

Click Here for Full Story

[Sly Fox]

From just before UVa Junior Day ...

Offensive lineman Grant Jones tops (LCA head Coach Frank) Rocco's list of 2011 class prospects.

Is Virginia pursuing the LCA offensive tackle?

"I think UVa will be in the mix," Rocco said.

"Coach Wachenheim knows Grant from his days of coaching down here at Liberty.

I know he had his eyes on Grant back in Grant's sophomore year.

Now, Grant certainly has progressed as a 1A prospect.

Duke has offered.

Duke and Liberty have offered to this point.

Grant is a kid that has improved a great deal from his freshman year to his sophomore year and then into his junior year.

Hopefully, he puts together a great senior year.

He is 6-4 or 6-5, 290 pounds.

He moves well.

He is a heavyweight wrestler and has had great success, so he understands leverage."

UVa has invited Grant to camp this summer.

And Jones may be in attendance tomorrow.

Click Here for Full Story

[Cider Jim]

Duke has offered.

Duke and Liberty have offered to this point.

[Champion]

Has been offered by Duke, East Carolina, Stanford, and Liberty...to name a few. According to rivals and preps VT will probably be the next to offer.

[Sly Fox]

Holding offers from 8 BCS schools and many others, Grant has verbally committed to the Flames!

[BJWilliams]

COngrats to Grant! Now to go to work and dominate this year...apparently he was a top 20 prospect on ESPN...in the country! When he signs would this be the biggest pickup in the short tenure of Danny Rocco?

[SumItUp]

WOW, this is a huge pickup. Congrats to Grant and the Jones family. I can't wait to see him as a Flame.

[bozlady]

It was a very fun day at the office yesterday when he came in with his mom. Everybody was all smiles and we all would of thrown some somersaults if we could of

[RJ]

I guess everyone knows now. Grant called me yesterday to let me know the news. I was very happy for him and proud of the way he went about making his decision. I look forward to calling his name over and over again during the next few years as he opens up huge holes for the flames backs! A great player and fine young man who will be an outstanding addition to Liberty's roster.

[Kolzilla41]

This is a huge signing. I just wanted to ask, how did LU land him?

[LUnpretty11]

Love the news. But keep in mind it's only a verbal. Not signed yet. Holding my breath until spring signing period '11. This would be the biggest signing in LU history, hands down.

[BJWilliams]

I agree with pretty...unless this is an ironclad commit the big boys are gonna ramp up their efforts a hundred fold now

[jcmanson]

Great news

[olldflame]

This is a huge signing. I just wanted to ask, how did LU land him?

Maybe he'll tell us himself. He has already posted on this thread. I have a feeling this is a done deal. Grant obviously knows he has FBS options, and there was no real need to make a verbal committ at this point, but he did. I've been saying it ever since I joined this board. If we keep doing things like we are, more and more top young Christian athletes like Grant will be choosing LU.

Now that you're on board Grant, we need you to start working on your speedy teammate to be the next one to Committ!

[SuperJon]

I was lucky enough to work with Grant's dad for a little bit so I was able to hear some about his recruiting and how it was going and all of that. I don't claim to be best friends with Grant or really know him that well other than talking a few times, working with his dad, and what I've learned through Facebook. With that being said, Grant is a great kid. He's the definition of what a Liberty athlete should be. I remember asking him on the sidelines of the spring game if he'd be playing in that game next year and he smiled and said he didn't know, maybe. I'm extremely glad to hear that he will be.

I know that verbals mean nothing, and that the big boys will still be after him, but I think Grant is about as solid of a verbal commit as there is out there.

[Sly Fox]

I agree 100% with SJ. And an additional benefit of his early commitment is the influence it can have on others with similar opportunities to pull the trigger. There has been a shift in perception among athletes looking at our program under Coach Rocco. Often times in the past kids felt like they had to sacrifice to play at LU. Today we are now a very viable option beyond the "who we are and what we stand for" mindset. If you were a running back or QB looking at LU, seeing Grant is on board might have some influence.

[LUaddict]

I agree 100% with SJ. And an additional benefit of his early commitment is the influence it can have on others with similar opportunities to pull the trigger. There has been a shift in perception among athletes looking at our program under Coach Rocco. Often times in the past kids felt like they had to sacrifice to play at LU. Today we are now a very viable option beyond the "who we are and what we stand for" mindset. If you were a running back or QB looking at LU, seeing Grant is on board might have some influence.

I have to agree with you Sly. I think that we are becoming a viable program for many more players. We are definitley have a less polarizing effect on people. I hate to sound rude but I think since Doc has been gone the image of the university and the athletics programs have been becoming more attractive to perspective students and perspective student athletes alike. Having grant committing us might have a posolitive effect on other potential recruits thinking if LU s right for them. Grant is a great and huge pick up for us. Welcome aboard grant.

[jmdickens]

thank you mr jones

[Sly Fox]

More details from the Scribe ...

LCA lineman Grant commits to Liberty


Staff file photo
Grant Jones

By CHRIS LANG | Sports writer
Published: June 27, 2010
Updated: June 27, 2010

For Grant Jones, it was a matter of choosing the known over the unknown.
A rising senior at LCA, the offensive lineman had offers in hand from FBS schools Marshall, East Carolina, Duke, Stanford and Wake Forest, and he said Maryland and Virginia both told him they would make offers later in the week.

Click Here for Full Story