Vigor second-year head coach Markus Cook calls senior Jerrian Graham “a program kid.”

“He’s a Vigor kid. He’s been around since he was 4 years old. His uncle is also a coach on the team,” Cook said at last week’s Jubilee 7-on-7 event in Daphne.

“He’s a great kid, a leader. He gets our kids going. Even when he is on the sidelines, he is being a leader the whole time. When he’s not in the game, it doesn’t affect his leadership.”

Expect the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Graham to be in the game for the Wolves most of the time this season.

When asked what position Graham fits best in for the Wolves, Cook smiled and said “athlete.” What about his college future?

“That’s their job,” he said. “He’s an athlete. We put him wherever he fits best for Vigor High School. It’s going to be their job to put him where they think he fits best into their program.”

Graham, the reigning Class 5A state champion in the 100 meters, can be a weapon for Vigor on offense at wide receiver, running back and possibly quarterback on occasion. He’ll play defensive back on the other side of the football, which is the position he said most colleges are talking to him about.

“I’ll play anything but the main thing they want me to play right now is defensive back,” he said.

Graham originally had a commitment scheduled for July 4th but ultimately decided to postpone his decision. He said last week his choice right now is between hometown South Alabama and Arkansas State.

“I had a talk with my family, and we just thought maybe we should take some more time to think about it,” he said.

Graham said his main focus as fall camp nears is helping his team rebound from a slightly disappointing season in 2022. The Wolves went 14-1 and won the Class 4A state title in 2021 but slipped to 5-4 in their first year in 5A last season and missed the postseason.

“I just want to make it to state,” Graham said. “That’s my only goal. I love this team. I feel like we’ve matured a lot this year, and I think we can make a run at it again.”

The Wolves are scheduled to open the season on Saturday, Aug. 26 against rival Blount in the annual “Battle of Prichard.” That game is slated to be played at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile.