For high school football players who get discouraged when the scholarship offers aren't flowing in as quickly as anticipated, Jonathan Grimes should be a source of inspiration.

A 2008 graduate of Paul VI, Grimes had exactly one scholarship offer coming out of high school, but he has made the most of the opportunity.

A running back with both speed and power, Grimes accepted his one offer to William and Mary, and neither side is complaining about the arrangement.

In one of the biggest stories to open the college football season last week, I-AA William and Mary defeated I-A Virginia of the mighty Atlantic Coast Conference, 26-14.

On the surface, Grimes didn't have a spectacular statistical day, rushing for 46 yards on 19 carries and catching four passes for 8 yards, while returning three kickoffs for 62 yards. He led the Tribe with 116 all-purpose yards.

"The thing you have to look at against Virginia is that he had no negative yards," said William and Mary running backs coach David Corley Jr. in a phone interview. "He got us the tough two to three yards and showed he can be a physical runner."

Last season Grimes set a school record for freshmen with 929 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. He also caught 39 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns. Grimes was a first team all-Colonial Athletic Association choice as a kick returner, averaging a league-best 24.5 yards and scored on a 97-yard return against Villanova.

"We usually only play one or two true freshmen a year but he came in a littler further ahead of most freshmen we have," said William and Mary linebackers coach Scott Boone, who recruits the South Jersey/Southeastern PA area for the Tribe.

The 5-foot-10, 201-pound Grimes, who hails from Palmyra, said he was never discouraged when he didn't receive multiple offers out of high school.

"My dad told me not to worry about that and just do the best that I could," Grimes said Wednesday by phone.

Grimes is a music major who plays in a band at college. He writes and plays music, specializing in keyboards and the piano.

His life isn't consumed 100 percent by football but that doesn't mean he takes the sport lightly.

"If you see how hard he works every day, then you wouldn't be surprised at what he has accomplished already," Corley said.

Being part of last week's victory at Virginia was special to Grimes, but he said the key to success is having a memory that isn't very long.

"It was a great win and we had to learn from it to get better," he said. "But we have a game to prepare for this week, and we have to get that out of our mind."

Tomorrow, the Tribe plays its home opener against Central Connecticut State. Grimes insists that he isn't preparing any differently. He said every week's preparation is vital in college football.

"In high school you may watch film once a week, but here it is almost like another class," he said. "That is the biggest adjustment to college."

Actually the biggest adjustment was made before he began. Instead of complaining about the lack of offers, Grimes decided to make the most of the one he received.

It's been prudent strategy. Grimes refuses to look back at what he didn't receive. The only ones possibly doing that are the schools that missed the boat when it came time to recruit Jonathan Grimes.

or mnarducci@phillynews.com.