Career Summary

Grant Finley developed from a St. Louis defensive lineman into a Missouri Western standout and New York Giants fullback.

Finley played four seasons at Missouri Western from 2022 through 2025, appearing in 40 games and starting all 11 contests in 2024. He earned Third-Team All-MIAA recognition in 2024 and Second-Team honors in 2025.

The Giants signed him as a professional free agent in 2026 after he worked out at defensive tackle and fullback. By September 11, 2026, he was listed on New York’s practice squad as a fullback.

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Early Life

Finley’s documented hometown is St. Louis, Missouri, where his football development centered on the defensive front.

Missouri Western identified Finley as a defensive lineman when he entered the program. The supplied research does not provide details about his family, childhood, birthplace, or youth football.

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High School

At Chaminade Prep in St. Louis, Finley established himself as an accomplished defensive lineman and three-star recruit.

Finley received two First-Team All-Conference selections and two All-State selections while playing for the Red Devils. As a senior, he recorded 50 solo tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks.

Missouri Western’s 2022 position preview described him as a three-star recruit according to 6 Star Football. His high-school résumé also included a limited offensive contribution, but the supplied evidence primarily identifies him as a defensive player.

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College Career

Finley played 40 games for Missouri Western from 2022 through 2025, becoming a productive defensive-line contributor and 2024 starter.

As a true freshman in 2022, he played six games and made eight tackles with two sacks, including 1.5 sacks against Central Oklahoma. He appeared in all 12 games in 2023, recording nine tackles, a half-sack against Fort Hays State, and two blocked kicks.

Finley started all 11 games in 2024 and produced 29 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup. In 2025, he played 11 games and recorded 21 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, five pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick; the supplied summary does not identify a starting total for that season.

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Path to the NFL

Finley reached the NFL as an undrafted professional free agent after transitioning from defensive tackle workouts to fullback work.

The supplied research does not identify a 2026 draft selection for Finley. At Missouri Western’s pro day, he worked out at both defensive tackle and fullback; the Giants reported measurements of 6-foot-4, 281 pounds, and a 4.88-second 40-yard dash.

He participated in the Giants’ rookie minicamp in May 2026 before receiving a later roster opportunity. New York signed him on August 6, 2026, announcing him as a fullback.

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NFL Career

Finley’s professional history through September 11, 2026, consists of a Giants fullback signing, release, and practice-squad placement.

The Giants waived Finley with no recall on August 30, 2026, then added him to their practice squad on August 31. As of September 11, the team listed him as a fullback wearing No. 47.

He had no documented regular-season NFL appearance or statistic through the cutoff. His professional role represents a transition from his primarily defensive-line college career to fullback.

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Career Accomplishments

Finley’s principal honors include two All-MIAA selections, a 2024 academic recognition, and multiple high-school defensive awards.

At Missouri Western, Finley was named Third-Team All-MIAA in 2024 and Second-Team All-MIAA in 2025. He also earned a place on the 2024 MIAA Academic Honor Roll.

His high-school honors included two First-Team All-Conference selections and two All-State selections. His most productive documented college season was 2024, when he led Missouri Western with five sacks and recorded 9.5 tackles for loss.

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Playing Style

Finley’s college profile was built on defensive-front disruption, while his professional transition introduced fullback work without documented NFL production.

Missouri Western coach Wyatt Word described Finley as strong and athletic, emphasizing his ability to hold up against older players and make plays from the defensive-end position. His college statistics reflected a pressure-oriented role that included sacks, tackles for loss, blocked kicks, and occasional turnover production.

Finley later worked out at fullback and was signed by the Giants at that position. The supplied evidence does not establish his NFL blocking, rushing, or receiving ability.

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Legacy

Finley’s documented college significance rests on his rise from rotational freshman defensive lineman to two-time All-MIAA honoree.

He progressed from six games as a Missouri Western freshman in 2022 to an 11-game starting season in 2024, then followed with another All-MIAA selection in 2025.

His move from primarily defensive-line football at Missouri Western to a Giants fullback role gives his career an unusual positional arc. As of the cutoff, that professional transition remained in progress rather than representing a completed NFL playing career.

Section reviewed 2026-09-11