Grant grew up in Decatur, Georgia, where he made a name for himself in the youth summer track circuit winning a total of 12 USATF Junior Olympic championship titles, and as one of the most electrifying offensive players in Georgia Youth Football Association at the time.
[1] He participated in the 200 meters at the 2001 World Youth Championships in Athletics, winning a silver medal behind Jonathan Wade.
Two years later at the 2003 World Youth Championships, he again finished second in the 200 meters, this time behind Usain Bolt.
A former two-sport athlete for the Razorbacks, Grant split his early career between track and football.
Excelling at both free safety and cornerback, Grant earned Freshman SEC honors in 2004 and Second-team SEC honors his junior year and again his senior year, with a conference-leading 16 passes broken up and NCAA leading 26 passes defended.