Glenville prospect visits Ohio State

There is a well-worn path from Cleveland's Glenville High School to the Ohio State University forged over the last decade-plus by football prospects taking their talents to the Big Ten program.

Glenville junior defensive back Singleton Grant made the trip to Columbus this past weekend, taking the opportunity to attend a Buckeye's spring practice with teammates Shareef Shabazz and Christopher Worley.

"Ohio State was very fun," Grant said. "It was an experience like I had never seen before because college is a faster pace and they get a lot more done. The coaches were very nice to me, kept talking to me and showing me what to do."

The Ohio State coaching staff had recommended Grant attend their camp so they could evaluate him in person, and he plans to one of the Buckeye's summer events. With four players out of Glenville's defensive backfield from last fall signing with BCS schools in February, Grant had serious competition for playing time as a junior.

"Last year my role on the team was basically to come in on third downs," Grant said. "If it was second and long or third and long, I'd come in and be a linebacker/safety and I'd check that receiver or play in the box.

"This year I will be playing linebacker/safety again, but starting this year. My goals are going to be to help our team win some games, go to the playoffs, make everyone around me better and have a better season than my junior year."

From his limited film, and also what he was able to show coaches during last off-season, Grant is generating interest from the likes of Cincinnati, Michigan State, Kent State and Bowling Green.

Grant had previously been in Columbus for Ohio State's junior day in the winter. He also attended junior days at Bowling Green and Kent State and is looking at summer camps with Michigan State, Pittsburgh and Penn State.

The 6-1, 185-pound Cleveland athlete grew up with a lot of love for his in-state college programs, but also has interest in seeing what is outside of his own state borders.

"Ohio State and Cincinnati - I used to always love those two schools," Grant said. "But I like the SEC and the schools like Alabama and LSU so I'd love to go out-of-state. Pittsburgh is another school I really like."