SHU’s Grant Honored with NEFW Agganis/Zimman Award
12/1/2021 5:26:00 PM | Football
Junior running back is the first Pioneer to collect accolade.
MANCHESTER, N.H. – When thrust into the starting role, Sacred Heart University running back Malik Grant's tireless preparation had him ready for the opportunity. He flourished as the lead back and that earned him the Harry Agganis/Harold Zimman Award from the New England Football Writers.
The award is given to the most outstanding player in New England. Grant is the first Sacred Heart player to earn the award and the first from the Northeast Conference. Previous winners include Matt Ryan, Doug Flutie, A.J. Dillion and Jerry Azumah.
"This season has definitely been a surreal journey and I am very blessed and fortunate with everything I've accomplished," Grant said. "I wouldn't have thought I would have played such a major role in helping the team win a championship and being one of the top rushers in the nation and winning player of the year awards. I'm just happy I could help us win a championship with my brothers; those guys mean a lot to me so that was a great achievement to see them celebrate when we won."
Also named Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Grant was selected as a finalist for the Walter Payton Award last week. The First-Team All-NEC selection is third in the FCS at 1,347 yards – fifth on the SHU single-season list - and sixth with 112.2 yards per game.
During the season, Grant was recognized by the NEFW on October 10 with their Golden Helmet award after rushing for 228 yards against Merrimack, the sixth-highest single-game total in school history and the 10th-best in the FCS this year.
"Winning New England player of the year is crazy, I wouldn't have thought it was possible, but I want to thank god for blessing me with the opportunity and believing in myself," Grant added. "It's a great honor to be chosen and I couldn't have done this without the big guys up front on the offensive line, my teammates and coaches. I'm just happy and speechless that I won this award and want to thank the people who chose me for this award, it means a lot."
Grant crossed the goal line 11 times, which was tops in the NEC and 32nd nationally. The Bronx, NY native was named NEC Offensive Player of the Week five times.
Sacred Heart won its second-straight NEC Championship but was defeated by Holy Cross in the first round of the FCS Playoffs.
The award is given to the most outstanding player in New England. Grant is the first Sacred Heart player to earn the award and the first from the Northeast Conference. Previous winners include Matt Ryan, Doug Flutie, A.J. Dillion and Jerry Azumah.
"This season has definitely been a surreal journey and I am very blessed and fortunate with everything I've accomplished," Grant said. "I wouldn't have thought I would have played such a major role in helping the team win a championship and being one of the top rushers in the nation and winning player of the year awards. I'm just happy I could help us win a championship with my brothers; those guys mean a lot to me so that was a great achievement to see them celebrate when we won."
Also named Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Grant was selected as a finalist for the Walter Payton Award last week. The First-Team All-NEC selection is third in the FCS at 1,347 yards – fifth on the SHU single-season list - and sixth with 112.2 yards per game.
During the season, Grant was recognized by the NEFW on October 10 with their Golden Helmet award after rushing for 228 yards against Merrimack, the sixth-highest single-game total in school history and the 10th-best in the FCS this year.
"Winning New England player of the year is crazy, I wouldn't have thought it was possible, but I want to thank god for blessing me with the opportunity and believing in myself," Grant added. "It's a great honor to be chosen and I couldn't have done this without the big guys up front on the offensive line, my teammates and coaches. I'm just happy and speechless that I won this award and want to thank the people who chose me for this award, it means a lot."
Grant crossed the goal line 11 times, which was tops in the NEC and 32nd nationally. The Bronx, NY native was named NEC Offensive Player of the Week five times.
Sacred Heart won its second-straight NEC Championship but was defeated by Holy Cross in the first round of the FCS Playoffs.
Players Mentioned
RB
/ FootballInside the Huddle: Week Eleven
Thursday, November 13
Inside the Huddle: Week Ten
Friday, November 07
Inside the Huddle: Week Seven
Friday, October 10
Inside the Huddle: Week Five
Friday, September 26
