The most recent Carolina Panther isn’t simply new to the workforce — he’s new to the game virtually totally.
The Panthers are signing Colin Granger after he spent 5 seasons taking part in basketball for 3 completely different schools. He didn’t play soccer at any of the colleges, and reportedly hasn’t in almost a decade.
The 6-foot-9, 245-pound large man is seeking to observe within the footsteps of legendary NFL tight ends equivalent to Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham and Tony Gonzalez, who all performed faculty basketball earlier than their soccer careers.
Gates is the one one of many three, although, who, like Granger, didn’t play faculty soccer, as Graham and Gonzalez performed each sports activities in faculty.
Present Indianapolis Colts tight finish Mo Alie-Cox additionally notably performed faculty basketball and never soccer.
Whereas ESPN reported that Granger final performed earlier than even reaching highschool, the Panthers’ launch mentioned “That is Granger’s first foray into soccer.”
Granger started his faculty basketball profession at Ohio College, the place he spent two seasons earlier than transferring to Western Carolina for the following two years. He then completed his profession at Coastal Carolina, the place he performed roughly 18 minutes per recreation this previous season and averaged 7.2 factors and 4.4 rebounds.
Whereas the world is surprised by the signing, Coastal Carolina basketball head coach Justin Grey isn’t.
“This isn’t shocking for me realizing Colin,” Grey mentioned in a press launch. “He is likely one of the most dedicated athletes I’ve ever coached. I informed him earlier than he’d achieve success in something as a result of he’s at all times been disciplined and assaults all the things with all he has. These are the components that convey success, and he possesses these. He is aware of the work has simply begun and we’re all right here to assist him.”
Granger joins 5 different tight ends on Carolina’s roster, as he competes to change into a goal for quarterback Bryce Younger.
Tommy Tremble, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Jordan Matthews, James Mitchell, and Dominique Dafney are the opposite 5 gamers on the place for the Panthers.
