Abiade Granger: Following the Master Plan - National Underclassmen Football Combines Football Camp & High School Football Showcase For Freshmen, Sophomore, and Juniors

Abiade Granger: Following the Master Plan - National Underclassmen Football Combines Football Camp & High School Football Showcase For Freshmen, Sophomore, and Juniors

Photo by: National Underclassmen Football Combine

Abiade Granger: Following the Master Plan

Courtesy: Annie Apple / National Underclassmen Football Combine Release: October 01, 2010

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While many teenagers enjoyed the lazy days of summer on the beach, Abiade Granger spent his summer at football camps, working out and for one week this summer, he was busy attending the National Mortician Convention in Miami. The 5'11 165 pounds cornerback has worked at a local funeral home for two years. "It's just something I love to do," says Granger. While he is not allowed to disclose the details of his responsibilities, he is an intricate part of the funeral's business operation and helps in preparing the deceased for burial. There aren't many 16 year-olds with such strong focus and commitment as Abiade, (pronounced AH-BEE-AH-DEE), a junior primary cornerback from Suncoast Community High School in Riviera Beach, Florida; the same high school attended by wide receiver and punt return king for the Chicago Bears, Devin Hester. Granger, with quick speed and versatility, is ready to show the world that Hester is not the only great talent to come out of Suncoast. "I want the opportunity to show that Devin Hester isn't the only Suncoast graduate that will have an outstanding future," says the confident shut-down corner. "I have covered highly recruited receivers from the likes of Greg Dent, Kelvin Benjamin, and Angelo Jean Louis, and held all three to one completion, combined." Granger's confidence isn't based on bravado or empty bragging. The son of a pastor, Granger believes in practicing what he preaches.

AB, as he's called by his teammates, is even more focused on the football field. "On the field, they call me lockdown cuz I won't let anybody get any balls in my zone. I lock my man down and help the team out," Granger says with a humble confidence. Granger takes his leadership role very seriously. "I set the right example; make sure everyone is doing what they're supposed to be doing." When one of his teammates was ready to turn away from the game because of a girl, he talked to Granger who helped him to see the bigger picture. "I'm a leader. I help my teammates put things into perspective." Granger's comes from a very close family with two older brothers and a younger brother. His father, Bishop Walter Granger of Mount Calvary Church in West Palm Beach, is a pastor, and his mother is the assistant to the school superintendent, and she stresses academics first. "I have a 3.0 GPA. My mom is not accepting anything less. With her working for the school superintendent, she can stop at my school anytime and make sure I'm doing what I'm supposed to." While Granger likes to tell a few jokes and make others around him laugh, when it comes to his goals, he's not distracted. "He's very focused, a goal setter and very strategic in his thinking. Abiade doesn't deviate from his goals," his mother, Katrina Granger, proudly admits. While Granger has no standing offers at this time, he remains optimistic. "The recruiting process is going well. One of my favorite schools, University of Miami just sent me a letter to come out and check out their games. I'm excited about that. Illinois, Mizzou have also reached out." Thanks to his older brother, Timotheus Granger, a highly recruited senior defensive end at Suncoast, the younger Granger is getting first hand recruiting experience. "My brother is being heavily recruited by D1 schools. He has offers from FIU, Rutgers, Tennessee State and Marshalls and being considered by Florida and Pitt. I'm learning a lot on recruiting trips with him." A key lesson Granger is learning is that hard work pays off, a fact Granger already knows quite well.

Granger enjoys working at the funeral home and plans to become a mortician. When Granger is not on the football field or working at the funeral home, Granger is helping out in his community. "I'm part of Men of tomorrow, a mentoring program where I mentor and tutor elementary and middle school kids. I also work with Habitat for Humanity," says Granger. The resilient corner, who's never without a plan, looks forward to owning his own funeral home. So how does this tenacious cornerback manage school, football and work with so much ease? With Granger, it's all about planning and prioritizing. "When it's obvious that the goals cannot be reach, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps," Granger easily recites his favorite quote by famous Chinese philosopher, Confucius. Granger believes in always raising the bar on the field and in his community. When it comes to looking for the right college and the right program, the West Palm Beach Florida native is looking for a school that will be a perfect fit and the right climate. "I think I want to stay in Florida, maybe Georgia. I don't want to travel long hours. I can't stand to stay still for too long," Granger admits. No matter where he goes, Granger just wants the opportunity to compete and to lead, the kind of qualities he sees in his favorite football player, Denver Broncos DB, Brian Dawkins. "I love the way he carries himself. He's a monster off the field, but he doesn't curse or anything." Granger is all about setting the right example on and off the field. "What I want coaches to know about me is first off, I don't like to lose, and I like to do my part to help the team win." Granger's hard work, energy and infectious personality make him an asset to any team looking for the right energy and a true leader in the locker room.