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An Interview with Ryan Grant
UHND.com - Rick Schutt - Used courtesy of IrishToday.com
7/3/2002

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He was a star at Don Bosco Prep High School in Ramsey, N.J. Is it time for his star to shine at Notre Dame? Ryan Grant is the name and with the future of Julius Jones in jeopardy, it looks like #4 will be the man. I talked with Grant from his home in New Jersey and he didn't want to speculate on his starting roll at tailback. "When things are settled the coaches will call me," Grant said about the Julius Jones reports. "I don't want to assume anything." Grant carried the ball 29 times his freshman season, gaining 110 yards while scoring 1 touchdown. That TD came in the season-ending win over Purdue where Grant rushed for 77 yards on 19 carries. It was enough to get a taste of college football and in his sophomore season he must be ready for even more. "Every player wants to be the main guy, everybody wants to be a star," Grant said. "But I'm about the team, I'll take on whatever roll they want." Grant said he feels comfortable in the new offense the Irish are running under Tyrone Willingham, especially after completing 15 spring practices "I know what the coaches are looking for so there's no hesitation with it," Grant said about the new offense. Ryan Grant has spent the past few weeks back in New Jersey working out with weights and doing conditioning drills. He's been doing a lot of hill work, trying to eat right and he's ready to get back to South Bend. When he comes back for summer school with the rest of his teammates, he'll take classes in Psychology and Theology. One guy who won't be coming back with Grant is of course Matt LoVecchio. Grant was surprised by LoVecchio's decision to transfer "I don't know if you ever get used to losing someone on the team," Grant said. "We had a bond with Matt. It was always Carlyle and Matt. It was surprising hearing about that."