Highlands senior linebacker Brent Grover announced Wednesday he will play college football at Purdue. He chose the Boilermakers over Northwestern, Georgia Tech and Penn State, and he became the second Bluebird this season to choose a college (defensive lineman Ben Scott has signed with Kentucky).

        “Big Ten football is great,” Grover said. “It's great for a linebacker to play especially.”

Brent Grover with his mother, Pam Campbell, and his father, Rick Grover. (Enquirer photo) | ZOOM |

        Grover's 226 tackles this season and 590 for his career are Highlands records. He is a first-team all-state selection and a finalist for the “That's My Boy” award that goes to the top student-athlete in Northern Kentucky.

        “Brent has had an absolutely phenomenal career,” Highlands coach Dale Mueller said.

        Division I programs have been following the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Grover since he was a sophomore. At one point, Tennessee recruiters said they would have taken Grover two years ago.

        By Saturday, Grover had narrowed his choices to Purdue and Georgia Tech. He chose Purdue because of its strong math and science departments and its location just three hours from home.

        All 10 linebackers from Purdue's Rose Bowl team return next season. Grover said he's not ready to compete now; all he expects is a chance.

        “I'm used to stopping the run,” Grover said. “It's going to be a challenge.”

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