Former UH safety signs with Bengals

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

GRANT: Switch from running back pays

It paid off for him yesterday when he signed a two-year contract with the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals.

The former University of Hawai'i safety will report to camp this weekend.

"It was to the point where I wasn't expecting to hear anything," Grant said of his NFL chances. "I was a couple of days away from signing with a (Canadian Football League) team."

Grant, who is 6 feet, 215 pounds, became a safety at UH during his senior season after three years at running back. He finished last season with 71 tackles and two interceptions.

"I never thought that switching positions would lead to this," said Grant, who is originally from Oakland, Calif. "It's like the tip of the iceberg for me. I feel like I have so much more to learn, that's why I'm so excited about it."

According to UH defensive backs coach Rich Miano, Grant recently ran the 40-yard dash in "the low 4.5s" and can also do 15 bench-press repetitions of 225 pounds.

"Because he's so new to the position, he has a tremendous upside," said Miano, a former NFL defensive back. "But he certainly has the skills to play the position."

Rolo-to-Lelie II?: After a discouraging minicamp with the Dallas Cowboys last week, former UH quarterback Nick Rolovich will try out with the Denver Broncos this weekend.

"I didn't perform my best at Dallas," Rolovich said. "But the experience should help me. I know a little more what to expect now."

Former UH receiver Ashley Lelie was the first-round draft pick of the Broncos. Rolovich was not sure if Lelie would participate in the same minicamp this weekend.

"He's a first-round pick and I'm just trying to make it," Rolovich said. "I'm pretty sure he doesn't have to go through the same process."