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Grindle has the Bulldogs on top

Columbia, Miss., running back Xavier Grindle has already landed offers from two of the Magnolia State's big three and his stock is continuing to rise.
Mississippi State and Southern Miss have both extended scholarships to the 5-foot-10, 190-pounder and more offers are likely on the horizon.
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"Things are going pretty well," Grindle said. "It's really exciting. It's really nice that colleges are showing how much they want me and that's a very important deal for me. I'm willing to go to any college that's wanting to win and dedicated to winning and can make me better as a player."
Grindle is also hearing from LSU, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Nebraska and Louisiana-Lafayette as well.
The Bulldogs were the first school to offer the East Marion standout which has them sitting atop his current leaderboard.
"That was a really big deal when they offered me first," Grindle said. "They showed me that they are very interested in me before any other colleges. That shows how they really, really wanted me because they don't just offer anybody. Mississippi State seems like a good college and a good environment and a good school to go to. They are at the top of my list but I'm just keeping my options open."
A few weeks ago Grindle made the trek up to Starkville to attend MSU's junior day giving him an opportunity not only to tour the campus but start building a bond with the coaching staff as well.
"We did a lot," Grindle said. "We ate and talked to some of the coaches. I talked to the running backs coach (Greg Knox) and he seemed real cool and down to earth. I talked to their head football coach (Dan Mullen) and he's very cool. I like how his vibe was. I liked it a lot."
If the name Grindle rings a bell with many Bulldog fans it is because his cousin, Terrell Grindle, starred at State as a wide receiver from 1999-2002.
The younger Grindle was still in elementary school when his cousin was playing for the maroon and white and only vaguely remembers.
"I don't really remember what year it was but I remember that he was number 15," Grindle said. "I didn't even know he was my cousin until I asked my grandpa on that side."
Mississippi State was not the only junior day Grindle has taken in. He also made the short trip to Southern Miss as well this spring to check out the Golden Eagles.
"I like it down there in Hattiesburg," Grindle said. "I like how their strength coach was saying how much he was going to build you up and how many pounds you were going to get and he was going to make you faster. They work very hard so I like that. I liked it because my family doesn't have to go very far because it's right down the road and that's a very important thing. I talked to their head coach and running backs coach and they said they wanted me."
Grindle was unable to attend Auburn's junior day this past weekend but expects to make it to Ole Miss for its next junior day opportunity.
This past season Grindle rushed 146 times for 1,262 yards and eight touchdowns. He also hauled in a dozen passes for 185 yard and another score. Defensively, Grindle made 28 tackles (16 solo, 12 assists) and two interceptions as well as adding 260 kickoff return yards and 187 punt return yards helping lead the Eagles to a 5-6 record and a birth in the Class 2A State Playoffs.
In January Grindle earned a honorable mention at running back while attending the U.S. Army All-American Underclassmen Combine in San Antionio, Texas.
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