Former NMMI standout Anthony Grant tabbed as David Rowlands Male Student-Athlete of the Year

Former NMMI standout Anthony Grant tabbed as David Rowlands Male Student-Athlete of the Year
Posted: Jun 07, 2022

NJCAA press release

Anthony Grant came to New Mexico Military Institute as a transfer student-athlete from Florida State University. Grant played his freshman season (2018) for the Seminoles as their primary kick returner, then red-shirted in 2019 before coming to play for the Broncos during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. As a Bronco student-athlete, Grant achieved unprecedented success, tackling hurdles and overcoming various obstacles. 

The Georgia native's top athletic accomplishments include leading the NJCAA in total rushing yardage with 1,730, leading the NJCAA in total rushes with 241, leading the NJCAA in average yards per rush at 7.2, and coming in at No. 2 in both rushing touchdowns with 18 and in rushing yards per game with 144.2.

In two seasons with NMMI, Grant played in 20 games, possessed 2,549 rushing yards, 28 rushing touchdowns, 357 rushes, 127.5 rushing yards per game, 88 yards as longest rush, 21 receptions for 116 yards in two touchdowns, 16 kick returns for 354 yards, and averaged 7.1 yards per rushing.

In the two 2021 NJCAA Division I Football playoff games, Grant rushed for 590 yards and six touchdowns on 60 carries, averaging 295.0 rushing yards per game and 9.8 yards per carry, helping NMMI win its first-ever NJCAA Division I Football National Championship title under first-year head coach Kurt Taufa'asau. 

Following his career at NMMI, Grant signed to play at the University of Nebraska to continue his academic and athletic career. In the Husker's spring intersquad scrimmage, Grant rushed six times for 69 yards, including one for 60 yards and a touchdown.

"Anthony Grant is simply what junior college athletics is all about," said Taufa'asau. "With little to no chance at making it back to the highest level of competition in college football, he found a way to persevere through adversity. He has earned everything he worked for here at New Mexico Military Institute."

NJCAA Athletic Accomplishments

  • 2021 NJCAA Football Div. I Offensive Player of the Year
  • 2021 NJCAA Football Div. I Rushing Champion
  • 2021 NJCAA National Championship Game MVP
  • 2021 NJCAA Football Div. I First Team All-America Offense selection
  • 2021 Southwest Junior College Football Conference (SWJCFC) Offensive Player of the Year
  • 2021 SWJCFC First Team Offense selection
  • 2021-22 New Mexico Military Institute Male Athlete of the Year
  • 2020 NJCAA Football Div. I Second Team All-America Offense selection

Grant will be honored during the NJCAA Foundation Awards event Friday, June 10 at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown at 6:30 p.m. EST.

The event will recognize the NJCAA Male and Female Student-Athletes of the Year, the Lea Plarski Award winner, the Champion Award winners, and the Difference Maker Award winner, in addition to the 2022 class of the NJCAA Hall of Fame and the 2021 inaugural NJCAA Hall of Fame class.

To learn more about past NJCAA Male Student-Athletes of the Year, visit: David Rowlands Award Winners

  • Tue, 05/14 | Colt Golf NMAA Class A-3A State Championships - Day 2 4th place R | PH
  • Sat, 05/11 | Baseball vs. New Mexico Junior College L, 10-9 (Final) BX | PH | V
  • Fri, 05/10 | Baseball at Weatherford College L, 9-1 (Final - 8 innings) RC | BX | PH | V | LI
  • Mon, 05/06 | Colt Golf 3A District 4 Championships 2nd place R | PH
  • Sun, 05/05 | Baseball at Howard College L, 12-11 (Final) BX
  • Sat, 05/04 | Baseball at Howard College L, 6-5 (Final - 7 innings) BX
  • Sat, 05/04 | Colt Varsity Baseball Ruidoso HS vs. Colt Varsity Baseball 3 - 5 (11:00 am MDT) PH | V
  • Sat, 05/04 | Colt Varsity Baseball Ruidoso HS vs. Colt Varsity Baseball 1 - 11 (1:00 pm MDT) V
  • Fri, 05/03 | Baseball at Howard College L, 8-3 (Final) BX
  • Fri, 05/03 | Baseball at Howard College L, 6-5 (Final - 7 innings) BX
  • Thu, 05/02 | Colt Golf Colt Classic 9th place R | PH
  • Tue, 04/30 | Colt Golf Black/Murphy Invitational 4th place R
  • Tue, 04/30 | Colt Varsity Baseball Tucumcari HS vs. Colt Varsity Baseball 0 - 11 (4:00 pm MDT)
  • Tue, 04/30 | Colt Varsity Baseball Tucumcari HS vs. Colt Varsity Baseball 0 - 14 (6:00 pm MDT)
  • Sat, 04/27 | Baseball vs. Amarillo College W, 9-8 (Final) RC | BX | PH | V
  • Sat, 04/27 | Baseball vs. Amarillo College L, 14-1 (Final - 5 innings) RC | BX | PH | V
  • Sat, 04/27 | Colt Varsity Baseball Colt Varsity Baseball at East Mountain HS 5 - 10 (11:00 am MDT)
  • Sat, 04/27 | Colt Varsity Baseball Colt Varsity Baseball at East Mountain HS 20 - 21 (1:00 pm MDT)
  • Fri, 04/26 | Baseball vs. Amarillo College W, 10-2 (Final - 7 innings) RC | BX | PH | V
  • Fri, 04/26 | Baseball vs. Amarillo College W, 11-1 (Final - 6 innings) RC | BX | PH | V
  • Thu, 04/25 | Colt Tennis District 4 Tourney G1 - No. 3 @ No. 2 L 5-4 (3:00 pm) PH
  • Tue, 04/23 | Colt Golf Alien 8 Invitational 1st place R
  • Mon, 04/22 | Colt Golf Artesia Invite 4th place R
  • Sat, 04/20 | Baseball at El Paso Community College L, 12-2 (Final - 5 innings) BX