Richie Grant Bio
Richie Grant is an American professional football safety who currently plays for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. Born on November 9, 1997, in Lumberton, Mississippi, Grant attended Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, before becoming a standout at the University of Central Florida. The Atlanta Falcons selected him in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 40th overall pick. Over his NFL career spanning four seasons, Grant has developed into a reliable defensive player, accumulating 276 career tackles, 3 sacks, and 3 interceptions while showcasing his ability to play both safety positions at a high level.
Early Life and Background
Grant was born in Lumberton, Mississippi, and lived there until he was nine years old, when his family relocated to Fort Walton Beach, Florida. His football lineage runs deep through his family, as his uncle, Terry Grant, played running back at the University of Alabama and later for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. This family connection to the sport helped shape his early interest in football.
At Choctawhatchee High School, Grant balanced multiple sports, running track while playing both defensive back and wide receiver on the football team. Despite his eventual success at the collegiate level, he entered the recruiting process as a two-star prospect according to 247Sports. He ultimately chose to continue his football career at the University of Central Florida over offers from Georgia State, Tennessee-Chattanooga, The Citadel, and Kennesaw State.
Path to Professional Football
Grant redshirted his true freshman season at UCF in 2016 and saw limited action in the defensive backfield rotation as a redshirt freshman. His dedication and skill development during these formative years paid off when he earned a starting role going into his redshirt sophomore season in 2017. That year, he helped lead the Knights to a Colley Matrix national championship while emerging as a defensive playmaker.
From 2018 through his senior season in 2020, Grant established himself as one of the most dominant defensive backs in the American Athletic Conference. He earned first-team All-AAC honors all three seasons, demonstrating consistency and leadership at the heart of the UCF defense. As a senior, he was recognized as a Jim Thorpe Award finalist and Bednarik Award semifinalist, solidifying his status as an NFL prospect.
Richie Grant Career
College Career (2016–2020)
Grant arrived at UCF as a two-star recruit but quickly proved he belonged among the conference’s elite defenders. After his redshirt freshman season in the rotation, he became a starter in 2017 and immediately made an impact. During his first-team All-AAC campaign in 2018, he led the Knights with 109 tackles while adding six interceptions, three forced fumbles, and nine passes defended. His performance helped anchor a UCF defense that contributed to the team’s national championship run.
He continued his stellar play through 2019 and 2020, recording eight passes defended and four tackles for loss in 2019, followed by 72 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, and six pass break-ups in his senior season. His three consecutive first-team All-AAC selections highlighted his sustained excellence throughout his collegiate career.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2021–2024)
The Atlanta Falcons selected Grant in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 40th overall pick, recognizing his potential to anchor their secondary for years to come. He signed his four-year rookie contract on June 18, 2021, a deal worth $8.3 million with a $3.4 million signing bonus. As a rookie, Grant served in a backup role, learning the professional game while adapting to the speed and complexity of NFL defenses.
Grant earned the starting strong safety position heading into the 2022 season and never looked back. He started all 17 games that year, finishing second on the team with 123 tackles while adding seven passes defensed, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. His 2022 campaign established him as a foundational piece of the Falcons’ defensive backfield.
He maintained his starting role throughout the 2023 season, appearing in 15 games with 103 tackles, three sacks, six passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and an interception. His sack production demonstrated versatility beyond traditional safety responsibilities. In 2024, Grant lost the starting job to veteran Justin Simmons and transitioned to a backup role, primarily contributing on special teams before his departure from the team.
San Francisco 49ers (2025)
On March 13, 2025, Grant signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, joining a franchise known for its championship aspirations. He competed for a spot on the roster during training camp and the preseason, but the 49ers released him on August 28, 2025, as part of their final roster cuts. The brief stint provided valuable reps but did not result in regular-season game action with the organization.
New England Patriots (2025–Present)
Grant joined the New England Patriots on October 15, 2025, signing to their practice squad. This move gave him an opportunity to continue his NFL career with a storied franchise while developing within their system. The Patriots have utilized their practice squad to develop talent and provide depth throughout the season, and Grant’s experience at safety adds valuable insurance at the position.
Playing Style and Strengths
Grant plays the safety position with instincts and physicality that allow him to impact games in multiple phases. His tackling ability stands out as a primary strength, consistently finishing among his team’s leaders in that category throughout his career. He demonstrates range in coverage, able to play both deep center field and closer to the line of scrimmage when needed. His three-sack season in 2023 showed he can blitz effectively and disrupt plays in the backfield.
Notable Events and Milestones
Grant’s career has been marked by consistency and steady growth. His three consecutive first-team All-AAC selections at UCF established his reputation as a durable and dominant college defender. Being named a Jim Thorpe Award finalist as a senior represented national recognition for his cover skills. In the NFL, his 123-tackle season in 2022 and his three-sack campaign in 2023 highlighted his ability to make plays in both the running and passing games.
Richie Grant Career Statistics
Grant has established himself as a productive NFL safety through four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and brief stints with San Francisco and New England. His 276 career tackles demonstrate consistent ability to make plays near the line of scrimmage and in pursuit. His 17 career pass deflections show his ball skills and ability to disrupt opposing passing attacks.
NFL Career Totals
Through the 2025 season, Grant has appeared in 55 games as a starter across his NFL career. His 276 tackles rank among the highest totals for safeties drafted in 2021. His 3 interceptions, 17 pass deflections, and 4 forced fumbles highlight his versatility as a playmaker in the secondary. His 3 career sacks demonstrate unusual pass-rush ability for a safety, a skill that adds dimension to his game.
College Highlights
At UCF, Grant redshirted in 2016 before playing from 2017 through 2020. He earned first-team All-AAC honors three consecutive seasons from 2018 to 2020. His 2017 Colley Matrix national championship with the Knights stands as a significant achievement, as does his status as a Jim Thorpe Award finalist and Bednarik Award semifinalist in his senior season. He led UCF in tackles multiple seasons and finished his college career as one of the most decorated defensive backs in program history.
Richie Grant Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Football runs in the Grant family through Richie’s uncle, Terry Grant, who played running back at the University of Alabama and later for the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats. This professional football background provided Richie with mentorship and insight into what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of the sport from an early age.
Personal Life
Grant pursued a degree in sports and exercise science during his time at UCF, demonstrating commitment to understanding the athletic and scientific aspects of sports performance. As a freshman during the 2016-17 academic year, he earned American All-Academic Team honors, showing his ability to balance academic responsibilities with athletic excellence. He currently makes his home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where he grew up following his family’s move from Mississippi.
2025 Season Performance
Grant began 2025 with the San Francisco 49ers after signing in March, but was released during training camp roster reductions in late August. The move placed him on the open market, and he worked out with interested teams before finding a landing spot. On October 15, 2025, the New England Patriots signed him to their practice squad, giving him a pathway back to the active roster.
The Patriots have prioritized developing their defensive roster under their current coaching staff, and Grant’s experience starting 55 games provides veteran leadership and depth at safety. His ability to play both free and strong safety gives the team positional flexibility. The practice squad assignment allows him to learn the Patriots’ defensive schemes while remaining ready for potential elevation to the active roster.
Grant’s career trajectory shows a player who evolved from a rotational college defender to a consistent NFL starter. The 2025 season represents an opportunity to rebuild his value with a new organization. His tackling production and coverage skills remain assets, and a strong showing with the Patriots could lead to an expanded role in the second half of the season and beyond.