Senior year is afoot for Jackson’s Okemus Grier. The All-Region performer has been out of the gates quickly here in 2022. In just two games, he has rushed for 150 yards and also caught two touchdown passes and rushed for two scores as well.
Last week’s game against Union Grove has accounted for the bulk of his rushing yards this season. Here the senior went on one of his patented game-breaking runs. Taking the handoff around the 25-yard line, Grier hit the accelerator knifing through the defense and quickly getting to the 2nd level where he bounced it out to the right sideline. With a handful of Union Grove defenders now in pursuit, Grier meandered back towards the middle of the field baiting his opponents, then he hit the accelerator once more and sprinted down the sideline for the long touchdown.
The defense was left baffled by the unique creativity of the run, and ultimately Grier found himself in our weekly top plays on Sunday night where he finished in the top 3. Aside from the top play, Grier’s senior year has started out excellently.
“My senior year has been going great so far. I received my first division 1 offer so that brought me a lot of happiness,” he said.
Right before the start of the school year, Grier was offered by North Alabama, which should help cement his recruitment in the eyes of DI and DII programs alike. This is an important year for the senior, and his goals are aligned toward his future success.
“My goal this year is to make the All-State list and to wake all of the college coaches up.”
He has improved this year, especially on defense where he is making an even greater impact than last fall. He also nabbed an interception last game. Grier is a unique football player with a lot of versatility and a good IQ for the game. He was named Region Athlete of the Year last fall, but he feels like his game has improved even more.
“I’ve mostly improved my strength and my ability to squeeze through tight gaps. I’ve also Improved my quickness and how fast I can go from here to there.”
With it being his last season of football at Jackson, Grier talked about what he liked most about playing in front of his community on Friday nights.
“My favorite thing about Friday nights is playing in front of hundreds of people. I’m going to miss playing In front of my hometown but another one of my favorite things about Friday night is lining up against other dudes and showing them who big dawg is,” Grier exclaimed.
We have always been a fan of Grier. He made one of the top plays last season during week 10, and historically players who consistently make our top plays have gone on to be excellent college football players.
Will the trend continue? Grier is certainly not the player to bet against despite his smaller 5’9″ frame.
“I love competition. This year is gonna be really big for us.”
Jackson is currently on our bubble in 3A with a 2-1 record. Both of their wins are against higher classification opponents and they were in the game against 6A’s Lovejoy in their only loss. They look to be a tough squad here in 2022, and that in large part has to do with the explosive playmaking of senior Okemus Grier Jr.
His recruitment is sure to heat up as we approach NSD, so be sure to follow @RecruitGeorgia on Twitter to hear more on the Jackson senior and players across the state of Georgia.
