Jonathan Grimes

College career

Grimes played running back at the College of William & Mary from 2008 to 2011. He started all four years and became the school's leader in rushing attempts (936), rushing yards (4,541), kickoff returns (2,289 yards) and all purpose yards (7,955). Those totals were good enough to rank him third all time in the Colonial Athletic Association for all purpose yards and sixth all time in rushing yards.

During his senior season (2011) Grimes led the nation in all-purpose yards per game (228.18). He won a number of awards that year including Associated Press All-American (First Team), College Sporting News All-American (First Team), Sports Network All-American (Second Team) and finished fourth in the final voting for the Walter Payton Award.

Pre-draft

At his 2012 Pro Day, Grimes ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash which would have put him in the top ten among running backs at the NFL Combine that year. He also had a 10-foot 5-inch broad jump and a 38-inch vertical jump, both of which would have been good enough for second place at the combine for his position.

Houston Texans

Grimes was not selected in the 2012 NFL draft. However, he was considered a high-priority free agent and 10 NFL teams offered him a contract right after the draft. Grimes signed with the Houston Texans on April 29, 2012, as an undrafted free agent.

In his preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers, Grimes scored a 3-yard touchdown, Houston's lone touchdown of the game, and finished with 37 yards on nine carries. Grimes was limited in Houston's second game against the San Francisco 49ers, carrying the ball twice for 22 yards.

Grimes again saw limited action the following week against the New Orleans Saints as he carried the ball four times for 22 yards with the starters playing the majority of the game. In the Texans' final preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, Grimes carried the ball thirteen times for 49 yards. Grimes was waived on August 31 and signed to the practice squad the following day.

New York Jets

Grimes was signed by the New York Jets from the Texans' practice squad on September 25, 2012. Grimes was activated for his professional debut against the Texans on October 8, 2012 however, he did not see any playing time. Grimes was waived on October 30, 2012. He had two carries for six yards over three games.

Second stint with the Texans

Grimes was re-signed to the Texans' active roster on November 1, 2012 after Ben Tate suffered a hamstring injury. Grimes was waived on December 20, 2012 after primarily playing on special teams.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Grimes was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 21, 2012. He was released by the team on August 30, 2013.

Third stint with the Texans

Grimes was re-signed to the Texans' active roster on December 18, 2013, after Ben Tate was placed on injury reserve. In Week 17 of the 2013 NFL season against the Tennessee Titans, Grimes started his first game, rushed 16 times for 50 yards, and had 6 receptions for 76 yards. Grimes rushed for a career-high 282 yards and a career-high 26 receptions during the 2015 season. On January 3, 2016, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Grimes became the third player in Texans history to score a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game.

On March 18, 2016, Grimes signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans worth $900,000.

Second stint with the Jaguars

On August 11, 2017, Grimes was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was released on September 1, 2017.

Personal life

Grimes is an avid singer and piano player. He started playing piano at age 7 at his father's insistence. He has two older siblings, a sister and a brother.