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Vinny Grasso was just a seventh-grader participating in the Shore’s Best Football Camp when he proved to his future coach, Monsignor Donovan’s Dan Duddy, he had some special characteristics.

“He was probably about 5-foot-5 at the time and asked me to move up to the high school camp,” Duddy recalled. “I was reluctant, but I couldn’t deny the kid’s confidence. He called out a senior in one-on-one drills and everybody is going crazy, and he broke both this kid’s ankles. Here’s a seventh-grader getting 15 yards behind a scholarship winner and catching the football.”

After two years as Monsignor Donovan’s starting quarterback in its Navy option offense, Grasso will represent the Griffins in the 2014 U.S. Army All-Shore Gridiron Classic at 7 p.m. on July 17 at Brick Township’s Keller Memorial Field. He won’t be playing quarterback, however, and he’ll likely never line up under center again.

Monsignor Donovan's Vinny Grasso signed with Monmouth University as a slot receiver after playing quarterback for the Griffins. (Photo by Bill Normile).
Monsignor Donovan's Vinny Grasso signed with Monmouth University as a slot receiver after playing quarterback for the Griffins. (Photo by Bill Normile).
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Grasso will play slot receiver for Ocean County, the position he was recruited to play by Monmouth University, with whom he signed his national letter of intent on a partial scholarship in January. The drying ink of his signature cemented what he always believed: he has the talent to play Division I college football.

“The mere fact that a team put the ball in his hands every snap says something about the kid,” Duddy said. “And it doesn’t take long to see he has the sweetest feet of anyone on the field. We knew he wasn’t going to be an option quarterback at the next level, but his film and highlights told the fact that he can fly around the field with anybody.”

Grasso knew his collegiate future wasn’t as a quarterback, and at just 5-foot-8 there weren’t college coaches lining up with scholarship offers. Grasso and Duddy surmised slot receiver would be the best fit for him at the next level, and that’s what he went to camps labeled as last offseason trying to get his name out there. Grasso and his father drove far and wide to every camp they could find, and it wasn’t long before coaches began taking notice.

“(Colleges) saw the speed, obviously, but being able to play slot and be an outside guy as well, and even to line up in the backfield to take some carries, they liked that I was a versatile athlete more than anything,” Grasso said.

Grasso’s height unfortunately meant he was immediately scratched off the list as a potential recruit by several colleges, but those that looked past his measurements and at his skills as a whole saw an impact player that could line up as an inside receiver. Grasso’s 40-time is listed at 4.48, which would have been a top-25 time by a receiver at this year’s NFL combine. His agility and hands also proved to potential college suitors he could be an effective playmaker. Despite not playing receiver nearly at all during his entire football career, the more Grasso played in the slot the more he looked like a natural.

“It was definitely a battle,” Grasso said. “I had to work twice as hard and sacrifice a lot. I definitely had a lot of people say I was too small.”

Photo by Bill Normile.
Photo by Bill Normile.
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“Vinny was our quarterback because he was our best athlete,” Duddy said. “He’s going to be special as a slot receiver. This is where he belongs. He had to work himself into space as our quarterback, but when he gets in space he’s great in the alleys. As a slot, you get him the ball quick and he’s going to be devastating.”

Monmouth ended up being the ideal fit for Grasso because of its approach during the recruiting process along with the fact it was close to home and a Division I-AA program. Boston College was in the mix but never got seriously involved, and it came down to New Hampshire and Monmouth. New Hampshire wanted him as a preferred walk-on while Monmouth offered him a scholarship. It was an easy choice.

“Monmouth was one of the schools I really liked,” Grasso said. “They knew my height, but it wasn’t the only thing they considered. They looked at me on the field and thought it was more important to be able to make plays and be a football player. They didn’t close the door on me because I’m 5-foot-8.”

Grasso looks like he’ll get plenty of chances to give fans a glimpse of what he can be at Monmouth University when Thursday’s game kicks off. Whereas in past season’s Ocean County was built for a power running offense with a stable of running backs and grinding offensive lineman, this year’s all-star squad has a collection of explosive athletes in the passing game. With Grasso and Manchester’s KaShaun Barnes listed as quarterbacks but playing receiver, Lacey’s Tom Kelly, the program’s all-time passing leader, could play the entire game. A receiving corps that includes Grasso and teammate Kyle Carrington along with Barnes, 6-foot-5 Jackson Memorial tight end Marcus Ademilola and Lacey’s 1,000-yard receiver Christian Tutela should get many opportunities to make plays.

“I’ve never been able to play slot in any game, really,” Grasso said. “After going to all these camps and being recruited as a slot, now I get to show what I can do on the field.”

For Duddy, remembering the undersized seventh-grader who wasn’t intimidated by high school players and seeing what he has accomplished six years later makes him a proud coach. The confidence and tenacity Grasso showed him that day has never wavered.

“Those short guys have an edge to them and want to prove themselves,” Duddy said. “I’m going to miss Vinny Grasso. I haven’t coached too many like him. I’m glad he’s only going down the road.”

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