ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Police are investigating Grant Frerking, a former University of Tennessee football player and Atlanta native, after multiple residents in a Roswell neighborhood claimed he took payments for pine straw and mulch, but never delivered the goods.
Frerking, who played as a walk-on wide receiver for the University of Tennessee Volunteers, once ran a pine straw and mulch installation company called Metro Straw; his LinkedIn profile claimed it was the largest pine straw installer in the southeast. Frerking sold the business in 2021, and the current owner has since publicly clarified the two are “no longer affiliated in any way.”
But residents in the Brookfield Country Club subdivision said Frerking has continued to market pine straw and mulch services under his name, including recent social media promotions encouraging customers to email him directly for orders.
Neighbors said they were left empty-handed
John Frierson said he paid Frerking $1,900 but received no delivery. “He definitely knows the business,” Frierson said. “Everything looked legit. It was on the up and up.” After not hearing back, Frierson purchased pine straw from another supplier.
Frierson said at least 15 neighbors in the subdivision collectively paid around $16,000 for services they said were never completed. Complaints began appearing on the neighborhood’s Facebook group, sharing similar experiences.
Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said she paid $1,200 and has not been refunded.
Some refunds issued
Despite the allegations, Frerking has maintained communication with some customers. Frierson shared a text exchange in which Frerking acknowledged the debt and promised to repay it. Recently, Frierson received a $1,000 refund, more than half of what he originally paid.
“I don’t think he needs to go to jail, but he needs to be stopped,” Frierson said.
Frerking responds to allegations
In a statement to Atlanta News First Investigates, Frerking said, “All of the customers have received their installations, been refunded or are in the process of being refunded. I intend to complete all refunds. I regret all inconvenience and delay.”
Frerking worked for On3, a college sports recruiting platform, after graduating from the University of Tennessee. The company issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) acknowledging the allegations and confirming his employment ended on May 27, 2025. It said it is conducting an internal investigation.
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