Xavier Grimble

Xavier Grimble (born September 22, 1992) is an American football tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at USC.

High school
Grimble attended Bishop Gorman High School in Summerlin, Nevada. Named an USA Today All-American as a senior in 2009, he had 39 catches for 709 yards (18.2 avg.) with 9 touchdowns, helping Bishop Gorman to a 15–0 record and victory in the state 4A title game. As a junior in 2008, he had 13 receptions for 310 yards (23.8 avg.) with 4 touchdowns. He was selected to play in the 2010 Under Armour All-America Game in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was rated the best tight end prospect of his class. He committed to USC on April 24, 2009.

College career
After redshirting as a true freshman in 2010, Grimble started seven games in 2011, recording 15 catches for 144 yards (9.6 avg.) with 4 touchdowns. In 2012, Grimble shared starts with fellow tight end Randall Telfer. He started in nine games, appearing in all 12, recording 29 catches for 316 yards (10.9 avg.) with 5 touchdowns, and was named an honorable mention All-Pac-12. In 2013, he caught 25 passes for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns, and was named an All-Pac-12 selection for the second consecutive season.

On January 7, 2014, Grimble announced he would forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2014 NFL Draft.

Professional career
Coming out of USC, analysts projected Grimble to be a seventh round selection or priority undrafted free agent. He was ranked as the 17th best tight end prospect available in the draft by DraftScout.com. Most analysts gave him positive reviews for his good hands, good frame, and ability to maintain possession while taking shots down the middle of the field.

New York Giants
Grimble went undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft, but received contract offers as an undrafted free agent from the Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, and New York Giants. On May 11, 2014, the New York Giants signed Grimble as an undrafted free agent. He entered training camp competing with Adrien Robinson, Larry Donnell, Daniel Fells, and Kellen Davis for the vacant starting tight end position left by the departures of Brandon Myers and Bear Pascoe. On August 24, 2014, the Giants waived Grimble.

San Francisco 49ers
On September 16, 2014, the San Francisco 49ers signed Grimble to their practice squad. On November 18, 2014, he was waived by the 49ers. On December 16, 2014, he was re-signed to the 49ers practice squad. On December 31, 2014, the 49ers signed Grimble to a two-year, $960,000 reserve/future contract

New England Patriots
On November 26, 2014, the New England Patriots signed Grimble to their practice squad, but was released two days later.

San Francisco 49ers (second stint)
On December 16, 2014, Grimble was signed to the 49ers' practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers on December 30, 2014.

On September 5, 2015, Grimble was waived by the 49ers.

Pittsburgh Steelers
On January 18, 2016, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Grimble to a one-year, $450,000 future/reserve contract.

He entered the Steelers training camp competing for the backup tight end position with David Johnson and Paul Lang. Grimble was named the Steelers' third tight end on their depth chart to begin the season, behind veterans Jesse James and David Johnson.

He made his professional regular season debut in the Steelers' season-opening 38-16 victory over the Washington Redskins. The following game, he made his first career catch and caught his first career touchdown reception on a 20-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger. In Week 3, he earned his first official career start during a 3-34 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He finished the 24-16 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals with two catches for 26 receiving yards and a touchdown. On December 25, 2016, Grimble caught his first career touchdown on a twenty-yard pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on the opening drive of a 31-27 last-minute comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

On February 8, 2017, Grimble signed a one-year deal to remain with the Steelers. Throughout training camp, Grimble competed with David Johnson and rookie Jake McGee for the backup tight end position. Although he showed more capability than both players, the Steelers traded for his former 49ers teammate Vance McDonald, making him the third tight end on their depth chart to begin the regular season.

On March 5, 2019, the Steelers placed an original round tender on Grimble.

Personal life
Grimble's cousin, Jalen Grimble, played defensive tackle at Oregon State and his other cousin, Barkevious Mingo, is an NFL linebacker that currently plays for the Seattle Seahawks. During high school at Bishop Gorman, Grimble played with many talented football players including Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, Duke running back Shaq Powell, and Arizona quarterback Anu Solomon.