USC's Xavier Grimble happy to be back in Las Vegas USC tight end Xavier Grimble celebrates a touchdown catch against Utah in September. Grimble is happy to be back in his native Las Vegas as the Trojans prepare for the Las Vegas Bowl. Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times / September 21, 2013 By Gary Klein December 19, 2013, 10:54 p.m. LAS VEGAS - It has been a nice homecoming so far for Xavier Grimble. USC's junior tight end looked perfectly comfortable Thursday as the Trojans conducted their final Las Vegas Bowl practice in the pristine stadium at Bishop Gorman High, where Grimble starred before signing with USC. "I love it here," Grimble said. I was so glad I got the opportunity to come here. It's a great place. Grimble has been playing tour guide - "X is the man," safety Dion Bailey said - showing teammates that his hometown has more to offer than the Strip. "I'm from inner-city Vegas ... so it's kind of cool for me," Grimble said. I got to take the guys around, show them a little bit that Vegas is more than just the lights that you see. We've got a lot of other things going on here. Grimble, who has caught 23 passes, is hoping to put on a good show for family and friends Saturday when the Trojans play Fresno State at Sam Boyd Stadium. Grimble said he was at "30-some tickets" and counting. USC and Fresno State players visited the Goodie Two Shoes and Opportunity Village outreach programs as part of their bowl activities. ... The teams will attend a kickoff luncheon and go through final walkthroughs at Sam Boyd Stadium on Friday.