Which running backs are physically ready to help out the team and make an impact is a question college coaches have to answer before every football season.
Known throughout his career as a speedster, Auburn running back Corey Grant has worked to become an all-around back.
The 5'11," 205-pound senior has run for 203 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown in an increased role this season.
His journey to this point has been an unusual one.
A dual-sport athlete at Opelika High School, Grant was a standout in both football and track, earning All-American honors in football and winning the 6A 100-meter dash in consecutive years.
His remarkable speed earned him scholarships from both Alabama and Auburn. Even with his proximity to Auburn, Grant decided to attend Alabama.
But after a redshirt season, Grant had a change of heart and transferred to Auburn, where he walked on and sat out the 2011 season because of NCAA transfer rules.
During that season, Grant played on the scout team and was praised for his dedication on and off the field.
"Corey Grant has always had such a great work ethic," said running backs coach Tim Horton. "The big thing for me, as a coach and for our team, is that you continue to improve."
Grant's hard work paid off, and he was awarded a scholarship after his redshirt freshman season at Auburn.
After having a limited role in 2012, head coach Gus Malzahn found a way to utilize Grant's speed. In 2013, Grant ran for 647 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 9.8 yards per carry in mainly a speed back role.
This offseason, Grant worked tirelessly both in the weight room and on the practice field to earn carries between the tackles, which has prepared him through the first three games.
"Corey's always been a strong guy in the weight room," Malzahn said. "Any time you run the ball downhill in spring and everything that goes with that, he's getting more comfortable and finishing runs, but he's a very strong young man."
His teammates have also taken notice of his desire to get stronger and more physical.
"He's one of the strongest guys on this team," said center Reese Dismukes. "He's pretty fast, too."
With the added strength, Grant has been running with more purpose and aggression this season.
"Going into every game this year, I'm trying to be a more physical back," Grant said. "As I'm running the ball, there have been some times where I could have got out of bounds, but I'd rather lower my shoulder and try to break that tackle or get two or three more yards."
Offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee has admired Grant's determination to improve his physicality.
"Corey, for a guy that fast, usually those guys are trying to get down and try to get out of bounds, he loves to finish runs," Lashlee said. "He's finishing downhill, and he's not dancing, which is really good. He's really developed as an overall running back."
Even with his new mentality, Grant said he knows he must continue to improve.
"Running inside, I'm following my block and making sure I'm making the right cuts," Grant said. "The physical part of it is not one thing I focus on, it's just making my right reads and trying to be more like Cam (Artis-Payne). He makes good reads. Our inside runs, that's what I'm trying to get better at."
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