Welcome Chris Graham! PWO Athlete

[76-1]

I like his attitude...

2023 in-state ATH Chris Graham accepts walk-on offer from IU

In-state athlete Chris Graham talks about why he accepted a preferred walk-on offer from the Hoosiers.

247sports.com

 

[3rdindianacav]

Thank you 76! Chris is my step-son.

 

[vesuvius13]

I hope he becomes a Mitchell Paige type of player for IU. I love the attitude he has and keeping that approach can help him find a role on the team.

 

[76-1]

Thank you 76! Chris is my step-son.

That's Great!

He has the look of a Safety about him...

Does he have the speed and skills to play the position?

I hope we get to see him out there in a year or two...

 

[3rdindianacav]

That's Great!

He has the look of a Safety about him...

Does he have the speed and skills to play the position?

I hope we get to see him out there in a year or two...

He has played linebacker/safety in high school. Speed wise I think he would be fine at safety. He was consistently in the 4.4 range at multiple camps last year. The only catch to that is that he skipped wrestling this year to put on some muscle/bulk and he has added 20 pounds of muscle, mostly in the legs and butt. He is constantly working on strength and speed but there will be an adjustment to the added mass. Currently, he is running track and playing baseball. Safety is about the only spot on D that I can see him playing as he definitely does not have the size to play P5 linebacker.

In addition to his school and personal weight training, he has been going to a well respected gym/training center in Louisville and his trainer has moved him into the college group rather than with other high school guys. The trainer is a friend of ours but well respected and is NOT a handler type.

Chris also plays RB and Slot Receiver on O and returns kicks on ST. I could certainly see him getting some ST action some day. He is still a junior so he still has another year of development before getting on campus at IU. I am hoping that he can add more muscle mass in his legs and get on campus at about 205-210, IF he can maintain his speed at that weight.

We are under no illusions that he is going to come in and play right away, or maybe ever. But if he doesn't it will not be for a lack of effort or desire. He truly is a team first guy and that won't change. His goal is to do whatever it takes to play and cheer on his teammates while doing it. Whatever his role, he is, and will be, an IU guy first.

Thanks for the interest. I have to say, it is beyond weird to be on these boards talking about our own kid.

 

[3rdindianacav]

I hope he becomes a Mitchell Paige type of player for IU. I love the attitude he has and keeping that approach can help him find a role on the team.

That is the plan and thank you for the comment. I can tell you that he is not content to just get the offer for a roster spot. That doesn't mean he will be a malcontent if he isn't playing. This kid loves IU and CTA. He had some chances to put together some scholarship/financial aid packages at all the other levels, including some D1 FCS schools. Someone made a comment on the linked story that Chris would crawl naked over broken glass to play at IU. Pretty accurate really and I don't expect that attitude to change once he gets there.

 

[UncleMark]

Thanks for the interest. I have to say, it is beyond weird to be on these boards talking about our own kid.

We will fully expect you to supply us with all the good inside gossip.

 

[76-1]

He has played linebacker/safety in high school. Speed wise I think he would be fine at safety. He was consistently in the 4.4 range at multiple camps last year. The only catch to that is that he skipped wrestling this year to put on some muscle/bulk and he has added 20 pounds of muscle, mostly in the legs and butt. He is constantly working on strength and speed but there will be an adjustment to the added mass. Currently, he is running track and playing baseball. Safety is about the only spot on D that I can see him playing as he definitely does not have the size to play P5 linebacker.

In addition to his school and personal weight training, he has been going to a well respected gym/training center in Louisville and his trainer has moved him into the college group rather than with other high school guys. The trainer is a friend of ours but well respected and is NOT a handler type.

Chris also plays RB and Slot Receiver on O and returns kicks on ST. I could certainly see him getting some ST action some day. He is still a junior so he still has another year of development before getting on campus at IU. I am hoping that he can add more muscle mass in his legs and get on campus at about 205-210, IF he can maintain his speed at that weight.

We are under no illusions that he is going to come in and play right away, or maybe ever. But if he doesn't it will not be for a lack of effort or desire. He truly is a team first guy and that won't change. His goal is to do whatever it takes to play and cheer on his teammates while doing it. Whatever his role, he is, and will be, an IU guy first.

Thanks for the interest. I have to say, it is beyond weird to be on these boards talking about our own kid.

Thanks for responding.

Sounds like a great fit for both INDIANA Football and your son...

In my opinion, just based on the type of talent we've been bringing in, I'd expect several of our PWO's to see some eventual PT if they grind as much as I think they will...

I'd say Good Luck but I have a feeling your son will be making his own Luck during workouts...

 

[MyTeamIsOnTheFloor]

Football neck

 

[DANC]

He has played linebacker/safety in high school. Speed wise I think he would be fine at safety. He was consistently in the 4.4 range at multiple camps last year. The only catch to that is that he skipped wrestling this year to put on some muscle/bulk and he has added 20 pounds of muscle, mostly in the legs and butt. He is constantly working on strength and speed but there will be an adjustment to the added mass. Currently, he is running track and playing baseball. Safety is about the only spot on D that I can see him playing as he definitely does not have the size to play P5 linebacker.

In addition to his school and personal weight training, he has been going to a well respected gym/training center in Louisville and his trainer has moved him into the college group rather than with other high school guys. The trainer is a friend of ours but well respected and is NOT a handler type.

Chris also plays RB and Slot Receiver on O and returns kicks on ST. I could certainly see him getting some ST action some day. He is still a junior so he still has another year of development before getting on campus at IU. I am hoping that he can add more muscle mass in his legs and get on campus at about 205-210, IF he can maintain his speed at that weight.

We are under no illusions that he is going to come in and play right away, or maybe ever. But if he doesn't it will not be for a lack of effort or desire. He truly is a team first guy and that won't change. His goal is to do whatever it takes to play and cheer on his teammates while doing it. Whatever his role, he is, and will be, an IU guy first.

Thanks for the interest. I have to say, it is beyond weird to be on these boards talking about our own kid.

I love the fact he wants to be a Hoosier. He does seem like he'd be a contributor on Special Teams.

After Mitchel Page and Greg Heban, I'll never discount the potential for walk-ons.

BTW, Page was even shorter and had big legs and a bubble butt. It's all that lower body strength.

 

[3rdindianacav]

I love the fact he wants to be a Hoosier. He does seem like he'd be a contributor on Special Teams.

After Mitchel Page and Greg Heban, I'll never discount the potential for walk-ons.

BTW, Page was even shorter and had big legs and a bubble butt. It's all that lower body strength.

Thank you Danc. He has taken to heart the value of leg work and I think that will continue during his senior year. The goal is to add leg strength, and muscle mass AND maintain his speed.

This process has certainly made me rethink the whole recruiting concept on number of stars, etc. Not that I think Chris is a 5 star at all, but that there are a whole host of players out there at schools that just don't get evaluated. There are ways to get a kid like that noticed and fortunately we were able to do that but there are families that do not have the knowledge or finances to get that done.

Looking forward to seeing Chris develop and what he is true capabilities. He lives in the weight room now so when they get him he won't shy away from the work.

 

[DANC]

Thank you Danc. He has taken to heart the value of leg work and I think that will continue during his senior year. The goal is to add leg strength, and muscle mass AND maintain his speed.

This process has certainly made me rethink the whole recruiting concept on number of stars, etc. Not that I think Chris is a 5 star at all, but that there are a whole host of players out there at schools that just don't get evaluated. There are ways to get a kid like that noticed and fortunately we were able to do that but there are families that do not have the knowledge or finances to get that done.

Looking forward to seeing Chris develop and what he is true capabilities. He lives in the weight room now so when they get him he won't shy away from the work.

Totally agree. I'll take a hard-working guy who has earned everything he has over a prima donna who has had his butt kissed because he was physically bigger and stronger than other HS kids.

Especially in today's world, some coddled athletes don't adjust well when they have to compete against other talented players. Unfortunately, IU has had a history of many of our 4 stars turning out to be huge disappointments.

Good luck to Chris and I hope he has a great senor year!

 

[BCCHoosier]

He has played linebacker/safety in high school. Speed wise I think he would be fine at safety. He was consistently in the 4.4 range at multiple camps last year. The only catch to that is that he skipped wrestling this year to put on some muscle/bulk and he has added 20 pounds of muscle, mostly in the legs and butt. He is constantly working on strength and speed but there will be an adjustment to the added mass. Currently, he is running track and playing baseball. Safety is about the only spot on D that I can see him playing as he definitely does not have the size to play P5 linebacker.

In addition to his school and personal weight training, he has been going to a well respected gym/training center in Louisville and his trainer has moved him into the college group rather than with other high school guys. The trainer is a friend of ours but well respected and is NOT a handler type.

Chris also plays RB and Slot Receiver on O and returns kicks on ST. I could certainly see him getting some ST action some day. He is still a junior so he still has another year of development before getting on campus at IU. I am hoping that he can add more muscle mass in his legs and get on campus at about 205-210, IF he can maintain his speed at that weight.

We are under no illusions that he is going to come in and play right away, or maybe ever. But if he doesn't it will not be for a lack of effort or desire. He truly is a team first guy and that won't change. His goal is to do whatever it takes to play and cheer on his teammates while doing it. Whatever his role, he is, and will be, an IU guy first.

Thanks for the interest. I have to say, it is beyond weird to be on these boards talking about our own kid.

Love hearing from parents like you who keep it real. He is obviously a hell of a talent, yet you guys are well aware of the leap it is to high D1 football. There are many kids and parents who do not have half his talent that fail to understand that.

Excited to see what the future holds for him!

 

[Chriselli]

There are many kids and parents who do not have half his talent that fail to understand that.

Truest thing I've read on the Internet today.

 

[jb17]

This is the type of kid & family that I will really be pulling for - keep working Chris - excited that you are going to be a Hoosier!

 

[ESalum86]

May God bless Chris as he works toward his goals. Loved reading the article; if more "adults" had the maturity, moxie, attitude and outlook of this high school "kid" the world would be cruising along! Be proud, Dad!