What’s so unusual about the Star-Telegram’s preseason football player of the year?
Southlake Carroll has a long history of outstanding quarterbacks, and Graham Knowles is continuing the Dragon tradition.
Knowles, a senior, was voted the Fort Worth-Area Preseason Player of the Year.
“I’m very thankful that everyone came on and supported me,” Knowles said. “Obviously, It’s an individual war, but it really reflects the work me and my team have put in and that reflects the guys around me and what they’ve allowed me to be capable of.”
Last season, he tallied 1,824 passing yards and 18 passing touchdowns after taking over the starting quarterback job in early October.
Now, he’ll have full control of the reins. He’s had less than a full season as the Dragons’ starter, but has been playing with his current teammates for the majority of his life.
“That baseline was always there,” Knowles said. “But being able to come into the year with the expectations set and knowing the game plan, how we’re going to operate, and just being there for the first practice, it truly, truly helps.”
Knowles stands at 6-foot-7, which is tall for a quarterback. As a senior in high school, he’s taller than any NFL starting quarterback.
Knowles said that the obvious benefit is the height allows him to see over the linemen and read the field of play. He added that one disadvantage is that people sometimes see him as a pocket quarterback without the ability to mobilize.
Knowles disagrees with those opinions.
“I think I can move a little bit,” Knowles said. “I can’t wait to put that on display.”
A student of the game
On Jun 18, Knowles announced his commitment to Georgia Tech football on Twitter. He said Yelowjacket football is building something special.
“I’m trying to go somewhere that I can develop into the best player I can be,” Knowles said.
Knowles mentioned wanting to learn from Georgia Tech co-offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Chris Weinke, who won the Heisman Trophy as a Florida State quarterback in 2000.
Currently, Knowles is being mentored by Southlake Carroll head coach Riley Dodge, who led the Dragons to a state championship in 2005 as a quarterback. Knowles called Dodge a football savant.
“Transitioning from a great quarterback coach to another great quarterback coach,” Knowles said. “It’s going to be fun.”
Knowles is always trying to learn more about the game, and he does so by watching elite professional quarterbacks and their mannerisms. His favorite to study? Seven time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
“Just being a cerebral quarterback and being able to read the field,” Graham said, reflecting on what he has learned. “So, I feel like that’s been a major component of my development.”
Knowles even learns more about football while playing football video games. Even in a virtual setting, there are little things he can pick up on and learn.
“I like to know the ins and outs of the game and seeing what things I can steal and take from other people,” Knowles said. “They have the formula for success. All you got to do is copy the answers.”
Leading Dragon football
Big things are expected from Knowles and the Dragons, who are the No. 1 team in the Fort Worth-area Class 6A Preseason Rankings. Still, Knowles said the Dragons will surprise the fans and put other Texas football teams on watch.
“I feel like as a whole we’ve kind of gone underrated as a team,” Knowles said. “We have a lot of new guys on defense, so people have a bit of doubt.”
Knowles said the team has proven themselves through practice, and he’s excited to show the world what Dragon football is capable of.
He’ll be throwing the ball to senior wide receiver Jacob Jordan, who is No. 6 on the Star-Telegram’s players to watch list. Knowles called Jordan a special player.
“His speed is so dynamic with his route running,” Knowles said. “It makes it really easy to throw to him because he’s open pretty much all the time. He’s very meticulous about his work.”
One of Knowles’ individual goals is to increase his completion percentage to above 75%. Knowles said, at the end of the day, he only wants to do one thing: win.
“I just want to get my guys some touchdowns,” Knowles said.
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