Former St. Paul’s football standout Javonte Graves-Billups wore No. 19 in his first three years on The Citadel football team.

This fall, he’ll wear No. 0.

Graves-Billups was selected by his coaches as military captain for this year’s team, a distinct honor signifying leadership on the squad. It’s represented on the field by No. 0.

“I will be the liaison between the military and the football team,” he said recently. “Whatever is going on with the corps, I relay back to my teammates and coaches and vice-versa. It keeps everything balanced at our school. It’s a huge role, and one that I’m incredibly honored to have.”

As he did for St. Paul’s in high school, Graves-Billups has developed into a versatile offensive weapon in his three years at The Citadel. In 2023, he rushed for 45 yards and caught 11 passes for 116 yards. He expects his role to increase this fall as a running back and a wide receiver for the team.

“Last year, I feel like they were trying to figure out a way to put me in different spots and get the ball so I could make things happen,” he said. “We didn’t have a great year as a team (0-11). We had kind of a new team and a new coaching staff, and we all had to get acclimated.

“But we are acclimated now and coach (Maurice) Drayton) has a vision. I feel like we have added some of the pieces we were missing. We added a quarterback who transferred from Liberty (Johnathan Bennett). We should have a good season this fall.”

Bennett was named the team’s starter following the spring game last Saturday. Graves-Billups likes what he has seen from the new coaching staff and quarterback.

“We started spring with coach Drayton,” he said. “Everything was brand new. We are still running the triple option, but we are doing it a new way. In the past, we ran the traditional triple. Now, we are in shotgun more and have some different variations, some unbalanced formations.

“We can still go back to the traditional, but we can also take shots over the top. It’s more of a spread look out of a triple set. I like it a lot. Our new offensive coordinator, coach (Lamar) Owens, understands the use of personnel and knows how to put guys in great situations. I feel like we will have a breakout season.”

Graves-Billups’ role on offense is similar to his time at St. Paul’s. He led the Saints to a 15-0 season and a state championship as a senior when he rushed for 1,475 yards and 16 TDs on 214 carries and caught 41 passes for 531 yards and 3 TDs. He was named AL.com’s Coastal Co-Player of the Year.

“My role is very similar,” he said. “I play running back and wide receiver and obviously special teams as well. Wherever they need me, they put me there and try to get me the ball in space.”

Drayton has called Graves-Billups a “jake of all trades” and “swiss army knife.”

“He’s very valuable because he can do so many different things for us on the field,” Drayton told the Post and Courier recently about Graves-Billups. “We know we can put him in different situations, and he’s not just going to get the job done, he’s going to excel.”

Graves-Billups’ most important role this year may be as the team’s military captain.

“It really came as a surprise,” he said. “When I first got here, I never thought I would be selected going into my senior academic year, but it’s been a blessing to have it happen.”

It’s no surprise to his former high school coach, Theodore’s Steve Mask, however.

“Not shocked at all,” Mask said. “His senior year he did everything we asked him to do. He played running back, kick returner, slot receiver, even defensive back at times. More importantly, he was always out front as a great example to his teammates. He’s just a super, super kid.”

Graves-Billups said after football he would like to go to physical therapy school and return home to the Mobile area.

The Citadel opens the season at Charleston Southern on Aug. 31.