North Carolina A&T State University’s  D’Vonte Grant is a non-scholarship athlete and an undersized linebacker. Those factors don’t seem to deter him from being a good football player. On Monday, Nov. 5, Grant continued his career of overachievement by being named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week. In the Aggies 16-3 win over Florida A&M last Saturday, Grant made six tackles and returned a fourth-quarter interception 35 yards for a game-clinching touchdown.

Grant, a Charlotte native, is a 5-foot-11, 205-pound junior. A year ago, he led the Aggies in tackles and was a Jerry Rice Finalist for best rookie in Division I-FCS. This season he is second on the team in tackles with 70, and he has returned two interceptions for touchdowns this season. He had a 40-yard return in the Aggies 38-10 win over Howard on Oct. 13. Grant is a part of the second best defense in the nation statistically.

“He’s an undersized guy, to be honest with you, shouldn’t be playing,” said A&T head coach Rod Broadway. “But he has determination, he runs decently and he learns well. That gives him an opportunity to make some plays for us. That’s big.”

Grant and the Aggies face S.C. State 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10 at Aggie Stadium. The Aggies are looking for their first win over the Bulldogs in 12 years.