Gridiron: Kelly’s Ethan Graham entering 2023 healthy finally

When asked how Kelly defensive back Ethan Graham feels going into the 2023 season, the senior initially responded with two key words.

Healthy and athletic.

“I finally got the final clear and it’s just amazing,” Graham said. “I’m happy and I’m ready to work and should hopefully have a good season and then an even better track season.”

Graham tore his patella last season and spent much of the previous school year building himself back to form.

“Honestly, I was going through that and it was the second time I hurt the same knee,” Graham said. “It was rough, just tough because I didn’t know if I was going to come back. I didn’t know if I was going to have to get surgery or not. It was just on and off, hurt and not hurt.”

Graham earned a spot among the finalist in the Semoball Awards for Comeback Player of the Year because of what he did on the track. He broke the school record for 110-meter hurdles, as well as the Notre Dame Frozen Invitation-al meet record in that same event. Throughout the season, Graham took first place in every meet he competed in the 110m hurdles.

As a defensive back, Graham said his success on the track helps on the gridiron.

“I play cornerback so working on that speed really helps on track,” Graham said, “just gives me a lot of athleticism for football and just the speed is the biggest part.”

One of the main purposes of training camp is to find out who fills the leadership void. With Gavin Price, a Semoball Award finalist on defense, gone, it is up to Graham to take up the mantle.

“We just have to pick ourselves up and be a good leader so everybody else will be better themselves,” Graham said. “I felt like it’s very important to me to be a good leader and it gets stressful at times. You just have to be a good person and just lead.”

The Hawks finished last season 5-5 after two straight winning seasons. Graham said his team has the right mindset to bounce back this season.

“We might not be the biggest we’ve ever been, we might not be the fastest but we got the grit, and we’re putting in the work every single day,” Graham said. “I think we’re gonna be just fine, honestly, compared to other years.”