Big target, big production: Illinois State TE Grandy thrives as offensive weapon

Illinois State tight end Cam Grandy (left) has 13 receptions over the past two games for the Redbirds. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)

By Barry Bottino

Illinois State’s offense started Saturday’s Homecoming game against Indiana State with an interception that was returned for a touchdown, two punts and a grand total of 17 yards.

How did the Redbirds reel off 44 consecutive points to win, 44-7, and improve to 4-2 on the season?

In part, they leaned on one of the most reliable targets in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, tight end Cam Grandy.

The fifth-year senior, who transferred to ISU after four seasons at Division II Missouri Western, caught five passes for 50 yards and a touchdown in the first half, which sent the Redbirds to a 23-7 halftime lead.

The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Grandy drew praise from former NFL tight end Clay Harbor, who serves as an analyst on ISU football broadcasts on the Marquee Sports Network.

“He’s as good as any tight end in the Missouri Valley Football Conference right now,” Harbor said during the game. “I really love this guy’s game. For as big as he is, he moves well. He’s a willing blocker.”

Grandy is enjoying a career year in his final season.

His 31 catches rank as the sixth-highest total among all MVFC receivers and, through six games, he has matched his highest reception total in a single season at Missouri Western.

Grandy made a sliding catch on a low throw from quarterback Zack Annexstad on a third-and-6 play in the second quarter. The 10-yard gain set up ISU’s first touchdown, a 13-yard scoring run by Mason Blakemore, one play later.

With less than a minute left before halftime, Grandy was the go-to guy on another scoring drive.

He caught a short pass over the middle and turned it into a 20-yard gain by bowling over an Indiana State defender.

Two plays later, he lined up on the right side of the formation, ran left behind the offensive line at the snap and caught a shovel pass from Annexstad that turned into a 10-yard TD.

Grandy’s contributions have been impressive for the Redbirds. His 31 catches, 304 receiving yards, two touchdowns and 50.7 receiving yards per game all rank second on the team. Over the past two weeks, he has 13 catches for 99 yards.

Grandy, who played prep football less than 30 miles north of ISU’s campus at Fieldcrest High School, already has provided big numbers historically for a Redbird tight end.

Over the past 20 seasons, only two tight ends have approached Grandy’s numbers this fall – Tanner Taula with 26 catches (one TD) in 2022 and James O’Shaughnessy with 29 receptions (nine TDs) in 2014.

“He’s having an excellent season,” Harbor said. “I really like Cam Grandy.”

The Redbirds were without three key players Saturday in advance of this week’s road trip to Youngstown State.

Running back Wenkers Wright (ankle) was in uniform but did not play. ISU also played without Jack linebacker Jalan Gaines (concussion) and defensive tackle Jalen Monrrow (knee).

Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.

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