WILLIAMSBURG — As the William & Mary Tribe gets ready for the 2024 football season, WYDaily caught up with some of the team’s players ahead of Thursday night’s kickoff.
Charles Grant returns to the team for his fifth year of NCAA playing eligibility as a key member of the offensive line.
Grant began playing football during his junior year at Churchland High School in Portsmouth. Starting the sport later than his counterparts, Grant was recruited to William & Mary based on what he could become.
“I think I was recruited based on my potential more so than where I was at back then. A lot of the bigger schools were looking at whether I was available or not and what I could be in the future. But I’m glad I ended up here at William & Mary,” Grant said.
During his time on the gridiron at Zable Stadium, Grant has racked up accolades. In his spring freshman season in 2021, Grant earned distinction on the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll. As his sophomore year got underway, he was named to the HERO Sports All-America Sophomore Team, All-CAA First Team, and VaSID All-State First Team.
Last season, Grant earned First-Team All-America Honoree by the AFCA, Second Team All-America selection by the Associated Press, Stats Perform, FCS Football Central and Phil Steele, All-CAA First Team selection, Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) All-State First Team, The Bluebloods Preseason All-America Second Team, Preseason All-CAA First Team, and was honored as a finalist for the Wells Fargo Advisors Humanitarian Award by the Touchdown Club of Richmond.
“I think 2023 was pretty good for me. I was selected for some preseason awards and I was able to get the regular season version of those awards as well. It was really special to get some All-American honors. It was nice to see that even after me moving out of the sophomore class, I was still able to keep up that hard work,” Grant said.
As the Tribe and the offensive line look towards the 2024 season, Grant has his eyes on a championship.
“The goal is to win a national championship. Personally, I just want to play to my full potential. I know that I can be a dangerous thing on the field. I know I should be able to dominate a little bit more than I did last year on the field,” Grant said.
Regarding the 2024 schedule, Grant has his eye on week two.
“Coastal Carolina will be a challenge for us because they have such a difference in development. That said, our squad is down for any challenge,” Grant said. “We always try to break it down on best. Our goal is to always be the best on the field.”
Grant would love to end up on a 52-man NFL roster in the future.
“If you put the work in, your talents will show,” Grant said.
For more information on all things William & Mary football, visit tribeathletics.com.
