Michigan State Hosting Former 5-Star Cornerback On Official Visit

Signing with North Carolina out of high school as part of the 2020 recruiting class, Grimes was a three-year starter for the Tar Heels before transferring to Texas A&M last offseason. Unfortunately, the native of Virginia Beach (Va.) was injured during the Aggies training camp prior to the 2023 season and was unable to play at all this year.

During his three seasons in Chapel Hill, Grimes stared in the Tar Heels' secondary, recording 97 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. He added 20 pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble in his 37 games played at North Carolina.

Michigan State's secondary struggled mightily throughout former head coach Mel Tucker's tenure, though the Spartans have added promising defensive back talent to their roster over the last several recruiting cycles. Sophomore Dillon Tatum got nearly a full season of experience as a starting cornerback in 2023, as did freshman Chance Rucker, who replaced Charles Brantley as a starter following Brantley's season-ending injury in Week 3 against Washington. After exploring options in the transfer portal this offseason, Brantley ultimately decided to withdraw his name and return to MSU for his senior season in 2024.

Rising redshirt sophomore Caleb Coley is expected to push for playing time next season, as could rising redshirt freshman Eddie Pleasant. Sophomore Ade Willie got some in-game experience for the Spartans in 2023 as well. Still, adding a proven talent like Grimes for one season could give Smith and his defensive staff more time to develop the young secondary talent already on the roster without putting those young guys in a tough spot in 2024.

For more coverage of Michigan State Athletics:

• Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @SpartanNationPodcast
• Follow us on Facebook: @SpartanNation
• Follow us on Twitter: @mlounsberry_SI | @a3danm | @Dylan3ngels