Jaydon Grant

Jaydon Grant flipped from Oregon to Oregon State after a weekend visit

(Courtesy of Jaydon Grant)

When West Linn cornerback Jaydon Grant committed to the Oregon Ducks as a preferred walk on last month, he truly believed he was making a life-changing decision.

Not only had his visit to Eugene lived up to his hopes, but he was also set to room with good friend and Oregon football commit La'Mar Winston - in the same building as high school backcourt teammate Payton Pritchard.

As the commitment settled in, however, the 6-foot-1, 170-pound cornerback couldn't help but feel like he needed to give every opportunity a chance.

"I received a direct message from Corey Hall, the new defensive back coach at Oregon State. He wanted me to take a visit, check out the campus," Grant said. "I didn't know what to say to him. I asked my parents and they told me to be smart and listen to what other people have to say and offer."

Grant elected to take the visit over the weekend and the trip changed his mind.

"I took a visit this past Saturday, and right away they showed a lot of love," he said. "I got to meet all of the coaches and I had a meeting with coach (Gary) Andersen. He let me know what the situation would be like as a preferred walk on. Really, it was having a good talk with Coach Hall after practice."

Brian Grant, the former Portland Trail Blazer and Jaydon's father, and Houston Lillard, Jaydon's mentor and the older brother of Damian Lillard, went along for the visit and helped the West Linn star trust his gut.

"Oregon is at the top of the Pac-12 and Oregon State was lower in the Pac-12. There's a lot of opportunity when I get to Oregon State," Grant said. "Andersen never mentioned or criticized Oregon. He only stressed need."

Even as a walk on, Grant couldn't help but feel guilty about the personal change - he never wanted to be a person who went against his word.

After discussing his options with family and close friends, Grant informed Oregon State and Oregon of his decision to flip.

"It was very difficult. It was hard to walk away. It was a dream situation, being with my two best friends - La'Mar (Winston), who I'd be rooming with, and Payton (Pritchard) living in the same building," he said. "It was hard to walk away from that. That's kind of what led me to choose Oregon State. If I was truly willing to give that up, then Oregon State was the right fit. It was right, for myself, to take the opportunity."

Although Grant will not be on scholarship, he's a high-ceiling prospect with a chance to earn one in due time.

Not only does Grant have professional athlete genes, but he also was playing football for the first time in high school last year, intercepting four passes in the playoffs and coming on as one of the state's premier players late in the season.

Grant will stay in state for college, but not where many expected.

-- Andrew Nemec

anemec@oregonian.com

@AndrewNemec