Grimes proves a stalwart at cornerback for Southeast

Cornerback was Southeast Missouri State's most inexperienced defensive position entering this season.

Aaron Grimes has helped make that a nonfactor so far.

Grimes, a senior who saw limited action last year, is off to a strong start as the Redhawks prepare for Saturday's home opener against Ohio Valley Conference opponent Tennessee Tech.

"He's playing really good," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said. "He's playing good, sound technique football, he's tackling well in space, he's making a lot of big plays."

Eddie Calvin and Salim Powell were fixtures at cornerback the past several seasons before completing their eligibility last year. That left Southeast with little experience at the position.

Senior Abraham Woodard, who also saw limited action in 2009 after transferring from junior college, has been solid at one cornerback spot.

Grimes, a 5-foot-9, 182-pounder from Los Angeles, has stood out at the other corner.

Grimes is tied for the OVC lead with two interceptions, and is tied second on the team andtied for ninth in the conference with 24 tackles.

"I feel like my game has been pretty good, but I feel like it can be a lot better," Grimes said. "I can't be satisfied. I want to work to keep getting better."

It's taken Grimes just three games to surpass his statistical output from last season when he made eight tackles while playing in seven games.

Grimes said he was fine waiting his turn behind the experienced Calvin and Powell last year, figuring his time eventually would come.

"I learned a lot sitting behind them last year," Grimes said. "I was able to learn the defense. They helped me to have the success I'm having now."

Grimes said Calvin and Powell -- the latter still with Southeast's program as director of football operations -- not only helped him learn the defense but also how to be a team leader.

"They were good leaders and this year my expectations were to come out and be a leader, give it my best effort," Grimes said.

Grimes turned in several big plays the past two weeks as the Redhawks (2-1, 1-0 OVC) notched a pair of wins.

Grimes recorded 14 tackles and his first career interception at Murray State on Sept. 11 as the Redhawks won their OVC opener for the first time since 2004.

Grimes was named the OVC co-defensive player of the week for that performance.

Grimes came up with his second collegiate interception Saturday at Southern Illinois, picking off a pass near the Southeast goal line early in the game to halt a prime SIU scoring chance.

That was just one of many key plays by the Redhawks, who posted one of the biggest wins in program history, 24-21 over a squad that had been ranked fifth nationally.

Southeast never before had beaten a top-five team since moving up to the Division I-AA level in 1991.

"It's real exciting, some of the most exciting football I've ever been around," Grimes said. "It was a huge win, but we can't get carried away.

"We have to buckle down. We have a whole lot more to focus on."

Grimes not only has made his mark at cornerback but also on special teams with his sure tackling during kick coverage.

"It's real fun. That's when you get your motor going," Grimes said of playing on special teams. "It's an important part of football."

Grimes earned second-team all-conference honors at West Los Angeles Community College in 2008. He then decided Southeast was the place to continue his football career and education.

"I had a good vibe," Grimes said about a visit from Samuel and assistant coach Brian Boerboom. "I felt like this should be my home. And I had a real nice visit [to Southeast]. Eddie was my host."

Grimes, a general studies major on track to graduate in May, said he wants to take football "as far as I can," after which he plans to become a coach.

In the meantime, Grimes is relishing his key role for an improved unit that leads the OVC in scoring defense (21.7 points per game), total defense (292 yards per game) and passing defense (137.7 yards per game).

"Everybody has been playing real good, doing their job," Grimes said.

If the Redhawks all keep doing their job, could the program's first OVC title be in their future?

Grimes said now is not the time to think about that. The Redhawks need to keep their focus on Saturday's Family Weekend home opener.

"We're taking it one game at a time," Grimes said.