Entrance Interview: S Marvin Grant, Jr.

Purdue has vowed to get bigger in the secondary. And the addition of Marvin Grant is a move in that direction. The Detroit native is one of the top catches in the Boilermakers' Class of 2019. The Martin Luther King product is a volitile mix of size and speed, a prototype heavy-hitting strong safety.

Grant was the 2018 Detroit Public Schools League Defensive Player of the Year as well as an All-Detroit Area pick and first-team Division 3-4 All-State by the Associated Press. MLK went 12-2 in 2018, winning the Michigan Division 3 state championship.

Grant had offers from the likes of Michigan, Notre Dame, Boston College, Pitt, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri and Iowa. He has formed a strong bond with fellow Boilermaker 2019 signee Jalen Graham, a fellow Detroit product who enrolled early and who also plays safety. Who knows? The duo may be Purdue's safety duo of the future.

GoldandBlack.com caught up with Grant for an Entrance Interview.

GoldandBlack.com: Why Purdue?

Marvin Grant: I felt like I had the best opportunity. I feel I will play early. It’s a great learning environment. Everything is nice. The coaching staff is real cool. They show they really care about you. I like what Coach (Jeff) Brohm has going on. I feel I can go there and help change things.

GoldandBlack.com: Were you told if you will play or redshirt in 2019?

Marvin Grant: They say I am not going to redshirt. They are expecting me to come in and play right away.

GoldandBlack.com: How would you describe your style?

Marvin Grant: I am long. I have range. I feel like I can get to the ball quickly. A lot of people think I’m just a curl/flat player. But I can play the deep ball, too. Right now, I am working on being a ball hawk. Everyone knows I like to hit.

GoldandBlack.com: Are you a strong safety?

Marvin Grant: Personally, that is what I want to play. Another reason I went there is because of the defense they run. They have a rover, free safety and strong safety. But they go with matchups, so I can rotate depending on who I am going against. My first year, if I am starting, it will be at strong safety.

GoldandBlack.com: Could you one day grow into a linebacker?

Marvin Grant: Not really. I can see myself playing rover. But not an in-the-box linebacker—a 'Mike' or a 'Will.' Maybe a hybrid.

GoldandBlack.com: Do you play any other sports?

Marvin Grant: I just run track. I played basketball in middle school. I stopped in high school. In track, I do the long jump, 200, 4X100, 100.

GoldandBlack.com: What number will you wear at Purdue?

Marvin Grant: I am trying to wear No. 4. I know nobody else has it who is there now. And none of the recruits on defense want it. I think my chances of getting it are kinda high. I am looking forward to wearing No. 4.

GoldandBlack.com: Do you have any non-sports talents?

Marvin Grant: I play the drums.

Story continues below video

GoldandBlack.com: When did you start playing football?

Marvin Grant: When I was 5.

GoldandBlack.com: Do you have a favorite player?

Marvin Grant: Sean Taylor.

GoldandBlack.com: Describe your relationship with fellow signee Jalen Graham.

Marvin Grant: We are real cool. I have known him for a couple of years. Before we even talked of going to Purdue, I knew him. When he came from Country Day to Cass (Tech High), that is when he became cool. We would see each other at camps.

GoldandBlack.com: If not Purdue, where would you have gone?

Marvin Grant: Kentucky. I committed (to Purdue) in June. They were still coming at me. Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Cincinnati, Indiana also kept coming.

GoldandBlack.com: What is your height and weight?

Marvin Grant: 6-2, 197.

GoldandBlack.com: What is your bench and squat?

Marvin Grant: I haven’t done my bench max. 425 squat.

GoldandBlack.com: What is your 40 time?

Marvin Grant: I ran 4.59 last spring.

GoldandBlack.com: What excites you about getting to Purdue?

Marvin Grant: I just like the atmosphere. I like the fans at Purdue. I feed off the energy. If the energy is live, that makes me play hard. I can’t wait. I am looking forward to it.

GoldandBlack.com: Who was your main recruiter?

Marvin Grant: Derrick Jackson was my main recruiter. I see why he (left to become defensive coordinator at Northern Illinois) did it. It was a better opportunity. I don’t know what to say about it. I have nothing against him for leaving. I am not mad at him.

GoldandBlack.com: How would you describe yourself in one word?

Marvin Grant: Aggressive.

GoldandBlack.com: Did Michigan and Michigan State come after you?

Marvin Grant: Michigan came at me hard. Michigan State was looking at me but wanted me at linebacker. I wasn’t really interested in that. That is why I didn’t get an offer.

GoldandBlack.com: What will you miss about leaving home?

Marvin Grant: My family. My friends. It is what it is. It is time for me to go on my own and explore the world. I have been here long enough. I am ready to go.

Membership Info: Sign up for GoldandBlack.com now | Why join? | Questions?

Follow GoldandBlack.com: Twitter | Facebook

More: Gold and Black Illustrated/Gold and Black Express | Subscribe to our podcast

Copyright, Boilers, Inc. 2019. All Rights Reserved. Reproducing or using editorial or graphical content, in whole or in part, without permission, is strictly prohibited.