Five-star edge rusher Zion Grady was one of the several recent defections from Alabama’s previously highly-ranked 2025 recruiting class. After opening up his recruitment, Grady’s first visit to a college campus was to Florida State this weekend.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder visited Tallahassee three times in 2023 and his first trip to FSU in 2024 went very well. He spoke exclusively with Noles247’s Chris Nee following today’s trip:
Grady: It was a pretty good visit. I loved the atmosphere. I loved being involved with the coaches today.
Q: You have been here a few times, so what did you come for today wanting to learn about it or see?
Grady: Really just to get my uncle up to pace about Florida State.
Q: Did you get to spend a good bit of time with John Papuchis?
Grady: Yes sir.
Q: What did you and him chat about?
Grady: Really just about how the outside linebackers work here and stuff like that. Showing me around. Yeah.
Q: They view you as an edge, correct?
Grady: Yes sir.
Q: So what did he show you with regards to that position and the 4-3 front that they play?
Grady: He showed me how they use them. Really just how they use them.
Q: Did you get a chance to catch up with Coach Norvell?
Grady: Yes sir.
Q: What was that experience like today and what did you and him talk about?
Grady: Very hyped experience. High-energy. Really just talked about trying to get me here.
Q: Obviously you decommitted from Alabama here recently and Florida State was very involved with you before that commitment. Where do things sit with you now with recruiting with backing off that pledge and others trying to get re-involved?
Grady: Recruiting right now is very open. Just taking it day-by-day.
Q: This place stood out to you before your commitment to Alabama, I presume they still have a pretty good spot with you?
Grady: Yes sir.
Q: What is it about Florida State that you liked before and they reinforced with this return visit?
Grady: The relationship that I have with the coaches.
Q: Where else do you plan to get to?
Grady: I know I should be going to Georgia. That is all I know for right now.
Q: Any plans to get back here?
Grady: Yes sir.
Q: What do you want to see here that maybe you haven’t seen before?
Grady: I really don’t know. I think I’ve already seen everything.
Q: Do you have any kind of pecking order at this point to your recruitment?
Grady: No sir, not right now.
Grady, now at Enterprise High School in Troy, Alabama, ranks as the nation’s No. 23 overall prospect and the No. 1 edge rusher in the 2025 class according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite Rankings.
As a sophomore in 2022, Grady was the Alabama Class 5A Lineman of the Year. He totaled 108 tackles, 27 QBH, 22 sacks, 3 FF and 2 FR for a Charles Henderson program that went 12-2 and played for a 5A title. He also blocked 3 field goals.
247Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins evaluated Grady in October of 2023:
“An uber-productive pass rusher that wins primarily with speed and finesse. Size hasn’t been third-party verified, but was believed to be hovering right around 6-foot-3.5, 225 pounds summer before junior season. Checks off some of the desired boxes with his multi-sport participation (hoops) and testing numbers (4.4 in the short shuttle). Has operated primarily out of a two-point stance since he was a freshman in one of Alabama’s higher classifications and found plenty of success, totaling 34 sacks through 30 varsity games. Tends to stun opposing tackles with his quick first step and is able to get off blocks with a limber upper half. Owns a few go-to moves, but an expanded menu is only going to make him more dangerous on the edge. Flashes good range and will make stops in pursuit. Will likely need some time to add mass and improve play strength, especially if he’s going to be asked to consistently anchor at the Power Five level, but might be able to get on the field in situational packages early on in a collegiate career. Should be viewed as a potential impact player on Saturdays with NFL upside if he can keep progressing. Projects as more of a stand-up defender in a 3-4 front, although a physical transformation could get him in a three-point stance.”
