A native of Crawfordville, Florida, McGrew attended Wakulla High School, where he was an All-State linebacker.
In his true freshman season at Florida State, McGrew played in all 14 games, mostly on special teams but also as back-up to Allen Augustin at middle linebacker.
After Augustin's graduation, McGrew and Buster Davis battled to replace him as starting middle linebacker.
In his final college career game, the Orange Bowl vs. Penn State, McGrew recorded a career-high 11 tackles (1.5 for loss).
Considered a “two-down defender who struggles in coverage” by Sports Illustrated,[2] McGrew was not selected in the 2006 NFL draft.