Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Jesse Grandy had to do a double take when he saw the first opponent on UCA’s 2012 schedule was a familiar name — Ole Miss.

While Oxford, Miss. might not be home for the Pine Bluff native, he spent two years there as a member of the Rebels' football team. He’s more than ready to return Saturday to face his former team.

“Can’t wait to get there,” Grandy said. “Can’t wait.

“It was a learning experience to go down there, be a part of the SEC, and go see different teams and different things. I feel like it made me who I am. There’s a part of me down there.”

For Grandy, who transferred to be closer to family, the game against the Rebels will be like nothing he has experienced in his college career. He still has a few ties to the area and lots of memories.

“It’s something I think about almost every day,” he said. “That’s not technically home, but I’m going back home to play in my backyard once again.”

The homecoming is sure to be emotion-filled for Grandy, who said he is still close with many players on the team, including receiver Ja-Mes Logan and tailback Randall Mackey. UCA Coach Clint Conque will speak with Grandy this week about channeling his emotions, and playing an even-keeled game.

“He’s going to be excited to go back and play and he’s got some friends still on the team, I’m quite certain,” Conque said. “At the end of the day he’s got to go out and perform. To do that, he needs to play within himself and within the scheme.”

Since transferring to UCA, Grandy has become a well-rounded player, a threat at both receiver and return man. It’s something he could never put together in his time in Oxford.

Grandy saw most of his action at Ole Miss on special teams. But to his credit, while he was there, he was able to become one of the most dangerous return men in the SEC.

He averaged nearly 26 yards on 29 kick returns in his freshman year, returning two kicks for touchdowns, including a career-long 88-yard runback. He even earned a spot on Phil Steele’s Freshman All-American Second Team as a kick returner.

His success at the position continued his sophomore season, as he also took over as the Rebels' main punt returner after the graduation of Dexter McCluster.