With an athletic pedigree like his, it's not surprising Chavez Grant aspires to create his own legacy.

The University of Miami cornerback's great uncle is Jim ``Mudcat'' Grant, a right-handed pitcher who played from 1958 to 1971 -- primarily with the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins -- and became the first black player in the American League to earn a win in a World Series game in 1965 against the Dodgers. His career ERA: 3.63.

Grant's uncles, Darren Hambrick and Troy Hambrick, are former NFL players who each played five seasons: Darren, a linebacker for the Cowboys, Panthers and Browns from 1998 through 2002; Troy, a running back from 2000 through 2004 for the Cowboys and Cardinals.

Grant said his grandfather, Julius Grant, is a former Mexican baseball star. His father, Julius Jr., played basketball at Bethune-Cookman and set the record for three-point scoring -- before his father's younger brother Jaime came to Bethune and broke it.

And Grant's mother, Gwen Williams, was a basketball star at Miami Beach High and Miami Central. ``She set all kinds of scoring records,'' Grant said. ``I think she made all-county as a freshman. I don't know how you follow that up, especially with mom and dad. They just support me in whatever I do.''

Grant's father, who works in sales for Bacardi, said Wednesday that Chavez continually impresses him. Julius Grant Jr. acknowledged that his half-brothers, the NFL Hambricks, ``have gone down the wrong path'' -- Darren was arrested July 20 in Pasco County on several charges, including sexual battery and false imprisonment, and Troy is serving a drug-related prison sentence in Atlanta.

A MODEL CITIZEN

Chavez Grant has been a model citizen on and off the field.

``Fantastic kid, always has been,'' said Julius Grant, who attends most of his son's games. ``He has made the best of every opportunity he has been given. Great attitude. Great kid. I'm incredibly proud of what he has accomplished.''

Grant, who has 17 starts in 37 games as a Hurricane, knows his family's athletic background is eclectic and impressive. He also knows it doesn't assure him a shot in the NFL. That's why he is on target to receive his business management degree a semester early in January, then plans to get his MBA.

``I completely understand it's not a guarantee,'' Grant, 21, said. ``That's why I'm graduating in three-and-a-half years, because I've really been on my books and I understand there's life after football -- even if I was to play [in the NFL].''

Grant, 5-11, 183 pounds, was one of three team captains last season. He started seven of 13 games at left cornerback and often plays nickel back. He had 25 tackles, six pass breakups and a forced fumble in 2008. He likes rhythm and blues in his iPod, and in the 2009 media guide, listed as one of his ``best-ever'' football moments: ``When I had the game-sealing interception my freshman year in the MPC Computers Bowl in Boise, Idaho.''

Grant said his teammates are discussing UM's first four games -- at Florida State on Sept. 7, home against Georgia Tech on Sept. 17, at Virginia Tech on Sept. 26 and home against Oklahoma on Oct. 3 -- as much as the fans. ``If we win those games, we know we'll be ranked,'' he said. ``It's a big opportunity. We try to take it one game at a time, but we'll talk about the first game and then it's, `Dang! We've got such and such.' It's a mini season.''

COMING TOGETHER

He said the 2009 Canes have jelled more than any of his previous squads, and that coach Randy Shannon continues to stress ``team.''

``Everybody really understands it's going to take more than just one guy showing out,'' Grant said. ``It's going to take all of us. The scheme is not going to save you, the coach is not going to save you, individual players are not going to save you. The chemistry has to be right and you have to trust the guys around you.''

Despite most of the media projections being bleak for the Hurricanes, Grant said he and his fellow Canes want badly to prove themselves. ``Ever since I've been here, we've never been picked to win a championship. I want to be the underdog so that when we win, I get to say, `Well, you didn't have to believe me, but we did it anyway.' ''

• UM left tackle Jason Fox and junior kicker Matt Bosher were named to the Atlantic Coast Conference Preseason Football Team.

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