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Graham signs at Missouri S & T to play two sports
One of the best athletes to come through Poplar Bluff High School in recent years has decided where he will play at the collegiate level.
Three-sport (track and field, football and basketball) standout Darius Graham signed his letter of intent Wednesday to play football and compete in track and field at Missouri S&T in Rolla.
“They were one of the few schools that was trying to take me for football and track,” Graham said. “That was something I felt like I could thrive in (with) both in college. With them giving me the opportunity, it was pretty easy to make my decision to go there.”
Tabbing Graham for both football and track is a logical decision.
First, Graham had a stellar senior season on the gridiron, catching 58 passes for 750 yards and six touchdowns and also intercepting a pass on defense. He finished his high school career with 128 catches for 1,788 yards and 14 TDs, good for second all-time.
Graham also was named first-team all-SEMO North at wide receiver in 2023 and was first-team all-district as a receiver in 2021 and 2023. In addition, he was a first-team all-SEMO North and first-team all-district as a defensive back in 2022
“He’s just one of those special, gifted kids,” retiring Poplar Bluff football coach Dave Sievers said. “There’s offense and defense (in football), basketball and track — he’s a three-sport player and he does all of them well. … Just a special, special kid and it’s going to be awfully hard to replace him.”
Graham also is a star in track and field, including winning SEMO Conference Most Valuable Player the last two seasons.
He is the defending Class 5 state champion in the high jump after clearing 6 feet, 10 1/4 inches (2.09 meters) at the state meet last spring, setting a new state record.
Graham has 16 first-place finishes in the high jump, is a two-time conference champion and is also the defending district and sectional champion.
He also has seven first-place finishes in the long jump — including winning a conference title last weekend — with a best jump of 23 feet, 1 1/2 inches (7.05 meters).
Graham also has 11 first-place finishes in the triple jump, including winning the last two conference titles, and is the defending district and sectional champion. His best jump is 45 feet, 3 1/4 inches (13.8 meters).
Mules track and field coach Jeff Mannon said it is good to see Graham “get this opportunity.”
“He came out his sophomore year and we didn’t really know what we had with him,” Mannon said. “What he’s developed into has just been pretty impressive. The kid works his tail off. He’s a great team guy, supports his other teammates.
“Him and Isaiah (Nevel) have been our two top high jumpers the last two years. They just battle back and forth and support each other.”
When asked what stood out to him the most during his time at PBHS, Graham pointed to relationships.
“Just the family and the brotherhood that you just get out of being on a team, like a high school football team,” Graham said.