Former LSU track star Cyril Grayson signs with Seattle Seahawks
The NFL Draft is 17 days away, but LSU’s recent Pro Day has already produced one success story.
The Seattle Seahawks announced the signing of Cyril Grayson, a former LSU sprinter. Grayson, who last played football in 2011 as student at Archbishop Rummel High School (Metairie, La.), took part in the Tigers’ Pro Day last week. His 4.33-second 40-yard dash, 10-foot, 7-inch broad jump and 34.5-inch vertical leap, according to LSU’s website, helped convince the Seahawks to give him a shot at making their roster.
That's only 4-time NCAA track champion Cyril Grayson dropping a 4.35 with his 1st 40-yard dash at #LSU Pro Day! @LSUFootball @thec1_ pic.twitter.com/iyAIqx1zrV
— LSUTrackField (@LSUTrackField) April 5, 2017
Grayson was a highly accomplished sprinter, earning multiple All-America and All-SEC honors, helping the Tigers to NCAA Indoor Championships in 2014 and ’16, as well as back-to-back Outdoor Championships in ’15 and ’16.
Grayson, who measures 5-foot-9, 178 pounds, impressed the Seahawks with his hands and route-running abilities during Pro Day. Last week, he told reporters that football was always a passion, but he could not play for the Tigers due to scholarship and compliance issues.
“I know a lot of question marks were raised when I came in because I haven’t played football since 2011 at Archbishop Rummel,” Grayson told reporters following his pro day workout. “So why should I even be here? It’s always been a passion of mine and it’s always been the plan to play (football), but because of scholarships and other reasons with compliance, I wasn’t able to play. I’ve been training on my own and doing things I need to do to stay in shape and stay ready for an opportunity like this. Today was a great day. When I lined up I put up really good numbers. I can’t complain.”
Since Grayson did not play football for LSU, the fifth-year senior did not have to go through the draft process.