Sebring's Grimes signs with Graceland

Sebring senior Michael Grimes signed a national letter of intent Thursday to play football at Graceland University in Iowa.

Grimes, who is expected to play cornerback and wide receiver next fall, had three interceptions, 30 tackles and 10 pass deflections last season for the Blue Streaks. He also caught 22 passes for more than 300 yards.

"This is an important day in my life," Grimes said. "I'll be one of the first people in my family to go to college, so that's pretty exciting."

Grimes, a three-year varsity starter, said his decision was made easier after speaking routinely with Graceland's coaches, who called "at least three or four times a week." A Graceland coach and recent graduate even flew to Florida this past weekend to meet with Grimes and a few other area athletes who are considering the NAIA school, including Lake Placid's Navahri Holden and Avon Park's Dwayne Council.

"I just felt like I knew the program before I was even there," Grimes said. "They just made me feel like they really wanted me and needed me."

Grimes was an integral component of a Blue Streaks team that improved its record from 3-7 in 2008 to 7-3 this past season. The 5-foot-11, 160-pound speedster hopes to make a similar impact with Graceland, which went 3-7 last fall.

"I want to be able to turn the program around and make it successful," Grimes said.

Sebring head coach Jared Hamlin has little doubt that Grimes will be able to produce at the next level. Hamlin often matched up Grimes with the opponent's best receiver, virtually negating that side of the field because quarterbacks rarely wanted to throw in his direction.

"He's a very good cover guy, but he does a lot more than that," Hamlin said. "He can also make plays in the running game. He's really one of those key pieces that we're going to miss.

"He's going to do well. He's a smart kid, he's got a great work ethic and he's going to be alright."

Hamlin also noted that Grimes was "surprisingly elusive" in the open field, which could lead to more playing time. Graceland coaches already have told Grimes that they want him to practice with the offense, too.

"I made a decent impact (on offense) in a few games, and whatever the team needed I did for them," Grimes said. "And that's how I feel going up to Graceland. Whatever they need me to do."

Grimes is the second Sebring athlete to sign a football scholarship this month, after lineman Tevin Toney committed to play at Bethune-Cookman University. Hamlin said at least two more players could sign in the next few weeks.