As we bid farewell to Arizona Football senior Samajie Grant, we thank him for sharing his life with Wildcats fans and appreciating our support. Grant is ready for whatever comes his way.
This last season for Arizona Football, it was literally a whirlwind of emotions for all involved, including the very versatile wide receiver turned running back Samajie Grant. We caught up with him to see what was on his mind going into this NFL Draft weekend.
And he had a lot to say, as you would expect.
What do you want to say to all the NFL teams? What is your message? Why should they draft you?
Grant: It’s simple. I’ve been through more than half of these players have been through. A lot of these players have been fed with silver spoons. There are only a chosen few who have been through hell and back and have never given up.
More from Wildcats Football
- Arizona Football begins Conference play against Stanford
- Arizona Football starts slow but runs away from UTEP
- How Wildcats Fans Can Claim $200 INSTANT Bonus at BetMGM Betting $10 Right Now
- Costly Mistakes doom Arizona Football in loss to Mississippi State
- How can Arizona Football beat Mississippi State on the road?
I can’t live without football. If it weren’t for this sport, I’d be dead or in jail right now. I’ve literally felt like I’ve lost everything I’ve ever loved besides this game. My game will speak for itself when I’m given my shot.
They look at these players who are hyped up and draft them because of what they did in college. How can you give credit to someone who has been targeted with 15+ passes a game if they can’t put up good stats then they are clearly not capable of anything? We’ve all seen the receivers these past 5-6 years. So many top picks and they don’t do anything in the NFL.
So, for me, it’s just motivation. But I plan on making my name. I never wanted to be hyped up.
These dudes haven’t even played an NFL game. How do you suppose they’re gonna do something big? Half of these dudes don’t even have the heart. Size doesn’t matter, I’ve played these players, and they didn’t impress me one bit besides a few. They know who they are because I always pay my respect to a ball player.
ZZ: Well, Samajie, you definitely have heart, and drive, and have survived a ton of heartache, so you are strong. So, changing positions for your coach for the team in your senior year, what do you think that says about you as a player?
Grant: Well, I don’t think it says much. I feel like, as a player, if you’re not willing to do that, you don’t deserve a spot on ANY team.
I’ve never been selfish, especially not with my brothers. Whether it’s on the field or off, I’m gonna always protect my friends and teammates as if they are my brother.
“I can’t live without football. If it weren’t for this sport, I’d be dead or in jail right now.” – Samajie Grant
So, me doing that, I didn’t expect to get any recognition for it. It was something I should’ve done. They could’ve asked me to play as a decoy on the field, and I would’ve done it whether I liked it or not!
Which is why I never gave up on Arizona. Although I knew I wasn’t even getting the ball thrown my way after my sophomore year. I knew as long as I did what I could I was going to help the team somehow, someway. And I let God handle the rest!
ZZ: So you are true to your team, you are a great supportive teammate, you never give up, you do whatever it takes to be successful, you are coachable, and you are also great with social media and getting positive attention for the team! Social presence is huge these days. What could you do for a team in the locker room and on the sideline?
Grant: Honestly, I don’t have much to say about that part because I feel like if you need someone to hype you up on the sideline or in the locker room, you don’t deserve to play this game. That should be natural or come naturally.
I’ve never once in my life needed somebody to say, ‘Come on Samajie, get up and continue your dream!’ After my mom had passed, I made the moves I had to make.
Whether it was living with someone, or just something simple as working harder and studying more so that I could make her happy.
So for someone who needs to have a locker room warrior, they should just take another look at their roster.
ZZ: I think it is an intangible that you have that a lot of other players may not have, that ‘I’ll lift you up, get everyone going, never say die’ mentality.
Grant: Rich Rods preaches it and he reminds us every day. He doesn’t like people who need to be motivated or has any bit of fear in them (not even his dog). And all my life, we weren’t allowed to quit or be soft in my household. But I’m not sure how many players actually can say they have that!
I don’t think a coach can give it to them; I believe it’s something you’re born with. Either you got it, or you don’t!
Here are Samajie Daron Grant’s highlights from his YouTube Channel.
There is no doubt Samajie has the “it” factor. He also has heart and left it all on the field for Wildcats fans. There is no way anyone can argue that he didn’t entertain us, that he didn’t give it his all, that he didn’t complain, that he didn’t interact with us on social media and endear himself to all of us.
Must Read: More stories about Samajie Grant from ZZ....
Grant does not hold back, and this interview proves it, he laid it all out on the line. He just wants to play football and be a great teammate. No one has to push him, he is self-motivated. He deserves a chance. Whatever happens, Wildcats fans will always be here for you and you will always be a Wildcat! Bear Down!