Welcome Home: Groves plans free football clinic

GREENVILLE — Quentin Groves has learned a lot on and off the football field.
Now the 6-foot-3, 265 pound Oakland Raiders linebacker wants to bring his newfound knowledge home.
Groves, who was traded to the Raiders from the Jacksonville Jaquars in April, will hold his second annual Quest for Greatness Football Clinic at his alma mater, Greenville-Weston.
“I want them to learn some life lessons,” said Groves by phone. “We’re going to be doing some drills and a 7-on-7.”
Last year’s camp had over 250 participants, Groves said. He said while at GWHS, he attended camps at LSU, Georgia and Mississippi State. Camps are where he said he found out there was a bigger world outside of the Delta.
“There’s more than just the Delta,” he said. “I want to kids to learn about a better life, (rather than) the same ole, same ole.”
The free camp will take place Saturday at the GWHS football field for those grades 6-12 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Campers are asked to bring cleets, if they have them.
After spending two years with the Jaguars, the team that drafted him in the second round of the 2008 draft, Groves was dealt to the Raiders for a fifth round pick in this year’s draft.
Groves said he’s adjusting to California.
“It’s more laid back (in California),” said the 2003 GWHS alum. “We’re still trying to work out the kinks, trying to get training camp packages ready.”
Groves, who played for coach Phil Short in high school, was a phenomenal force at GWHS. As a senior defensive end, he finished with 86 tackles, 22 sacks and three fumble recoveries. He also played tight end and caught three passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. He was rated the nation’s No.3 defensive end by ESPN.com.
Groves signed with Auburn, where he was named first-team All-SEC and tied the school’s all-time sack record.
Now, his God-brother, former Simmons High defensive end Carlos Thompson Jr., looks to be following in his same footsteps after signing with Ole Miss.
Groves said Thompson has some of the same characteristics that made him successful.
“He has the same physical mindset (that I do),” said Groves. “He does some of the same things I used to do. He’s going to bring speed and a leadership role to (Ole Miss).”
What has Groves learned during his time in the NFL?
“I’ve learned how to persevere, how to fight through the tough times” he said. “

The same things you (did) in college, you can’t do in the NFL

.”