Cameron Grandy spoke his professional football future into existence.
The 2018 Fieldcrest graduate was asked prior to playing in January’s Hula Bowl which NFL quarterback he’d like to play with and a catch pass from. There was no hesitation in the Illinois State tight end’s answer.
“Joe Burrow,” the consensus first-team all-American said.
Now, the 6-foot-5, 255-pound tight end will have that opportunity, signing as an undrafted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday.
He says he received a call at his home in Benson from Bengals tight end coach James Casey towards the end of the draft.
Casey assured Grandy he will get a lot of opportunities in Cincinnati to show his skillset and that he can be an NFL player.
“I really liked what he had to say,” Grandy said. “… I felt a connection with him just with that one phone call.”
Grandy has been a fan of Burrow’s since his days of leading LSU to a national championship, and the quarterback’s first few years in the league.
“I love the way he carries himself,” Grandy said. “He’s a leader. He’s a competitor. I think he’s definitely one of the best, if not the best young quarterback in the NFL.
“Just to be able to line up with someone like that hopefully on Sundays, it’s going to be fun.”
Grandy comes off a monster season with the Redbirds, leading all Missouri Valley Football Conference tight ends in receiving yards. He caught 63 balls for 612 yards with three touchdowns while starting all 11 games.
