Virginia Beach (Va.) Princess Anne first-class cornerback Tony Grimes is preparing to reclassify and enlist at North Carolina on Aug. 1, his daddy Deon Glover tells 247Sports. Grimes is the No. 1 cornerback and No. 7 prospect overall in the 2021 class per the 247Sports Composite.
” Hes opting for sure,” Glover mentioned Friday afternoon. The COVID-19 pandemic has put high school football and fall sports in doubt in Virginia.
” Our backs protest the wall. He does not desire to wait around and blow a whole season waiting around to see whats going to occur with high school sports. Hes going to proceed and move forward.”
Grimes is currently the gem of a North Carolina class that ranks No. 3 nationally. 247Sports will eventually reclassify him to a 2020 Tar Heels class that stands at No. 19. Weve been down this roadway before at 247Sports with previous luxury quarterback J.T. Daniels, who moved from 2019 to 2018 and ended up being slotted as the No. 6 overall possibility in that cycle.
The 6-foot, 180-pound Grimes committed to head coach Mack Brown and the Tar Heels on June 30 over the likes of Georgia, Ohio State and Texas A&M. Hes slated to arrive in Chapel Hill the 2nd or first day in August.
“I believe hes going to have an immediate effect. I think hes going to have an immediate impact.”
North Carolina signed just one cornerback in the 2020 cycle in Jayden Chalmers, who eventually has to go the prep school path initially. Grimes fills a big need on a lineup where the Tar Heels tried to supplement the position space with a couple transfers in Kyler McMichael from Clemson and Bryce Watts from Virginia Tech.
” He has 4 games before he can red-shirt,” Glover stated, acknowledging the NCAA rule where a possibility can get his feet wet that very first year however still not lose eligibility. “I hate to even bring it up however I do not believe hes going to redshirt.”
The only thing standing in Grimess way from enrolling is one final government class he just registered for.
” Hell knock that out in a couple weeks,” Glover stated.
” There is expected to be an announcement sometime today or over the weekend and I think theyre going to cancel fall sports (here). Tony is currently registered to take his last class and were currently preparing to enlist into North Carolina.
” Hes going to go in. Were full steam ahead!”
247Sports National Analyst Brian Dohn compares Grimess game to that of Kyle Fuller, who was drafted in the very first round in 2014 out of Virginia Tech. Dre Bly hired Grimes to UNC.
” Wide shoulders and good length,” Dohn wrote in his examination. “Frame of security with cornerback skills. Instinctual player with high skill level. Smooth and physical. Tracks ball well and has terrific timing. Opens hips and runs with ease. Long strider who can cover on long crossing paths and deep tosses. Strong upper body helps re-route receivers with jams. Comfy in backpedal and explodes forward out of it. Great tackler and possession in run defense. High IQ on and off field. Management qualities.
” Ready to play at elite program when he steps on campus. First round NFL draft pick capacity.”
He does not want to wait around and blow a whole season waiting around to see whats going to take place with high school sports. Hes going to go ahead and move forward.”
247Sports will eventually reclassify him to a 2020 Tar Heels class that stands at No. 19. “I think hes going to have an immediate impact. I believe hes going to have an instant effect.”
