Auburn Alums Reunite on Recruiting Trail To Alabama's Gain

A longstanding relationship gives Tampa Catholic head coach Jeris McIntyre confidence his corner will be cared for in college.

Joe Gaither | Jul 24, 2023

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Alabama Crimson Tide

Tampa Catholic defensive back Jameer Grimsley became the second cornerback to join the Alabama football's 2024 recruiting class to kick off the month of July and secure his college future.

Grimsley was offered by the who's who of college football, and ultimately chose Alabama over Michigan and Florida.

The rising's senior's choice made Tampa Catholic head coach Jeris McIntyre proud, despite McIntyre's collegiate background.

"I have a really, really close friend Travaris Robinson, T-Rob, that played with me at Auburn, that will be his defensive backs coach when he gets there. So he'll be in good hands with Coach T-Rob," said McIntyre to BamaCentral on Monday. "But you know, like I said, I'm happy for the kids wherever they go. If it is Auburn, I'll be super excited but you can't go wrong with the University of Alabama and being a defensive back."

McIntyre and Robinson played on The Plains together for three years under Tommy Tuberville and have maintained a close relationship since.

Robinson, one year the elder, began his career at Auburn as a wide receiver before switching to defensive back and earning All-SEC honors in 2002. McIntyre found his way as a three-year starter and became the Tigers offensive captain as a senior in 2003.

Both Florida natives had stints in professional football before turning their attention to the coaching world.

McIntyre now enters his sixth season in charge of the Tampa Catholic Crusaders, his alma mater, and coming off his best season to date, going 9-2 in 2022.

Robinson has been a quick riser in the college ranks building a reputation as one of the premier defensive-back coaches in the country, and recruiter as last year he helped land 5-star standout Caleb Downs for the Crimson Tide. Alabama promoted him this offseason after losing Charles Kelly to Colorado and now the former Auburn standout oversees the entire Alabama secondary.

"Ya man, I'm just super proud of him," McIntyre said. "He's literally the first person I met when I got on campus to Auburn and we've just been super close since then, one of my best friends. He's done a great job in the places that he's been and I'm super excited and proud for him.

"He's bringing in some big time defensive backs. He's got a kid from Cali (Zabien Brown), another one from Alabama (Jaylen Mbakwe), now Jameer, so it looks like he's putting together a really good 2024 class, obviously have some guys in '23 they brought in as well and I'm just excited for him.

"Hopefully the secondary doesn't play too well in the Iron Bowl, but outside of that I root for him and hope he does the best and continue to do what he's been doing for years he's been in it."

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