Reggie Grimes, the former two-year starting defensive end at Oklahoma, made a significant announcement on Twitter Sunday night: he’s returning to his roots and committing to complete his collegiate football career at the University of Memphis. Originally from Antioch, TN, near Nashville, Grimes showcased his talents at Ravenwood High School before his tenure at Oklahoma.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 278 pounds, Grimes saw action in eight games as a true freshman in 2020. His sophomore year saw him earn a spot in the starting lineup for five games out of 13, accumulating 18 tackles. By 2022, he solidified his position as a regular starter, appearing in 10 out of 13 games and contributing another 18 tackles. However, in 2023, Grimes faced setbacks, losing his starting role due to injury and only playing in four games. Taking a redshirt year, he now has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Throughout his time at OU, Grimes played in 38 games, starting 15, and recorded 43 tackles, with 11.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 quarterback sacks to his name. Highly regarded since high school, he was ranked as the nation’s No. 3 outside linebacker by ESPN and the No. 7 weak side defensive end by Rivals. Grimes also showcased his academic prowess, earning two-time All-Big 12 Academic Team honors.
Grimes’ decision marks the second consecutive year that a defensive lineman from Oklahoma has transferred to Memphis. In the previous year, Josh Ellison made a similar move and made an impact with 30 tackles for the Tigers in 2023.
