MIAMI FOOTBALL

Lyons seeks to continue MU's winning ways

GRANT LYONS

By MIKE SMITH
With each passing day, Grant Lyons gets closer to another season in RedHawk Red and White. Like college players across the country, he's looking forward to actual games and hitting "real" opponents. 

As usual, Miami opens on the road -- this time  facing the Pittsburgh Panthers Saturday, Sept. 5 (12:39 p.m.). For the fifth-year senior, it's one more campaign AND a chance to do what he loves. 

"You grow up dreaming of . . . 

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. . . playing in front of crowds and putting the pads on and putting the Miami letters across your chest and playing in front of a lot of people," Lyons said after a recent practice. 

For Lyons, big crowds and big games came early. He spent his high school career at St. Xavier in Cincinnati. It's a school that is known for excellence in many areas -- both academic and athletic. 

The Bombers football team has won four (Ohio) state championships and typically plays a very difficult schedule that can include out-of-state powerhouses. 

"Iron sharpens iron," Lyons said. "In high school, when you are playing that dominant a schedule, you get to see where you are at. You're playing against the best, so you've got to be at your best."

Those years at St. Xavier, where the school prides itself on molding men and leaders, have stuck with him -- on many levels. He noted Bombers head coach Steve Specht in particular.

"Steve Specht played an instrumental role in my life. He taught me so much about being a young man -- but more important, being a leader on the football field, in the classroom and in the community, as a son and hopefully as a husband and father one day. 

"Coach Specht taught me so much, and I owe a lot of my success now -- and any success I have in the future -- to him, as well as my parents. ... (They) played an incredible role in my journey here." 

When it came time to picking a college, Lyons quickly found a new home close to home. 

Grant Lyons celebrates after a Miami stop against UNLV. (MVSmith/MRO)

"I love this campus," he said of Miami. "I loved the people here when I visited. Really, its good to see that the culture hasn't changed much. You bring new people in, but coach Martin has been here the entire time. Defensive coordinator (Bill) Brechin has been here the entire time, and there is a winning culture that I am very passionate about. I had the same culture at St. X, and that is why I ended up choosing Miami." 

The former St. X team captain and GCL Defensive Player of the Year realized that college ball required another gear. 

"There is definitely the physical aspect of it - coming in and working your butt off every day to get bigger, stronger, faster," he said.  "(But) I think the biggest thing is to realize  that (when) you move on from being 'the guy' somewhere to (a new place), you start from the bottom. You've got to work your way up. 

"You've got to build that trust and respect. The only way you do that is by showing up every day with the same guys and putting in the work. You can't really expect too much recognition at first. You've just got to put your nose to the grindstrone, show up every day and be the same guy." 

Originally listed as a linebacker at MU, Lyons was moved to defensive end.

"They thought it was best for the team. I just embraced the role and tried to get better at it. Maybe it wasn't natural at first, but the more reps you get at something, the better you get."

In addition to getting "bigger, stronger and faster" over the years, Lyons has been a student of defense, in general, and his position in particular. 

The trenches have to know more than people would expect," he observed.  "There are so many intricacies of this sport. That is what makes it so (much) fun. ... Especially at defensive end, you have to be able to see the entire formation. Offensive coordinators do a really good job of trying to hide backs and tight ends,(and they use) different kinds of motion to get their players in the best position to block you." 

Whether its some detail he sees on television or a freshman's move that he notices on video, Lyons is ready to add it to his personal data bank. 

"Every one of my teammates has helped me -- even freshmen coming in. They might work a move that I think could ... help me succeed. That's why you pay attention on every play and in every meeting."

It all adds up, and Lyons feels better equipped as a result.

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Grant Lyons chases an opposing quarterback. (MVSmith/MRO)

"It's really how fast can you digest the information that's put in front of you, and then after that, then you have to go play fast," he said. "I feel like the game has slowed down so much for me, allowing me to play fast. (It) allows me to see that formation and digest it in my head. That's where I felt my game was best ... (to) see formations, tendencies and react." 

"I love where my game is at. I feel like I've had a great fall camp so far, and I am super excited for this season. 

After seeing action in all 14 games last year, Lyons is expected to be a key part of Miami's defensive front in 2026. It's a unit that has big shoes to fill with the departure of some talented players (e.g. Adam Trick to Texas Tech) in recent years. 

"I'm super excited for our (current) group," Lyons said. "We have attacked this camp with a little bit of salt in our mouths. We have some incredibly talented players in our position group. I am extremely excited for Week 1 and extremely excited for this season just to go out and show that we have a group of guys that are going to get the job done for sure."

Good defense has become a staple of Miami football for most of the Martin era, and Brechin is now in his fifth season as defensive coordinator (13th at MU overall). 

"I think coach Brechin has done an unbelievable job with our defense. I think the buy-in that he gets from his guys is unparalleled," Lyons said. "You have to love this (stuff). You have to show up every day willing to work and put the time and energy in. We have guys that are willing to do that." 

Both sides of the ball have experienced significant personnel turnover since last season, but Miami fans may be particularly concerned about the offense. Quarterback, running back and wide receiver units have a number of transfers and less-experienced players involved in positional battles. However, from what Lyons has seen, the offense is coming around. 

"I love the analogy that our coaches use," he recalled. "Defense is like a rock band and offense is like an orchestra. You've got to be well orchestrated and be on time (with the offense). The defense is just flying around ... They have to bring the energy. The offense has to work on timing and so many other things. ... So, to see their progression in camp has been exciting. ... Our offense has already come such a long way. " 

With two weeks to go, both sides of the ball are still a work in progress, and some positional battles may go into non-conference play. As a veteran in MU's system, though, Lyons appreciates what must be done. 

"We've got to make sure our focus is now on day to day. We've got to work on getting better, so that when that opportunity comes and we're playing in front of the fans and the lights that we're ... ready to go."

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