Class 2012: Mitch Graham, LB, Holy Trinity Tornadoes (Video)

Today, CFC features class 2012 star linebacker from the Holy Trinity Tornadoes, Mitch Graham. Mitch started his football career eleven years ago.

Mitch Graham

Positions:
Linebacker, Defensive Halfback

Height/Weight:
5’11, 187 lbs

Teams:
Holy Trinity Tornadoes (high school)
Ottawa Myers Riders (junior varsity/varsity)
Kanata Knights (peewee/bantam/midget)
Team Ontario East (under-18)

Commitment:
None

Consideration:
McMaster, St. Francis Xavier, Acadia, Ottawa, Open

Class:
2012

During his eleven year football career, Mitch has achieved success at all levels. With the Kanata Knights, the star linebacker has won four “A” championships, and is six-time MVP. Furthermore, he has served as Knights captain six times.

In his rookie campaign with the Knights midget under-20 team, Mitch finished fourth in the National Capital Amateur Football Association (NCAFA) league in defensive points.

The defensive star was part of the Ottawa Myers Riders team that went undefeated all season on route to an Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) championship in 2009. Going into the game, the Riders were considered underdogs to the London Falcons and had to play on the opposition’s home turf.

After regulation, both teams were tied. Mitch says that that the overtime frame of the championship game provided him with a very special moment.

“We scored quickly and converted the extra point,” explains Mitch who also served as Holy Trinity Tornadoes captain for three straight seasons. “London got the ball back and also scored.”

“On the PAT, the London snap was low, and I was able to break through off the edge and block the convert, giving us the championship victory 21-20 in OT.”

Additionally, the standout was invited in 2010 to the first Football University camp (FBU) in Toronto. From that experience, Mitch was one of 17 North American junior linebackers invited to attend the Top Gun camp in Williamsburg, Virginia.

In January 2011, the graduating linebacker was selected as one of nine Canadian players to attend the US Army All-American Combine. Most recently, he participated in the Football Canada Cup as a member of Team Ontario East. Mitch was also named to the NCAFA all-star team and has played two previous ones (2008 and 2010).

With all the success he has achieved, Mitch says it wouldn’t have been possible without the influence of his parents and grandparents.

“They are always very encouraging and supportive,” comments the Tornadoes linebacker. “They always give me that extra push in order to help me achieve great things.”

Whether it is football or not, sports is an important part of Mitch’s life.

“My whole life revolves around sports, whether it is going out to the outdoor rink to play some hockey with some friends or throwing the football on the street,” adds Mitch.

Once he completes high school, the Tornadoes star would like to continue his football playing career. One of his goals is to be an effective contributor on and off the field with a Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) football team. He is interested in enrolling in communications or social science programs at university.

From all his football experiences, the graduating star says that he has learned to how to be an effective leader in all aspects of life.

“I have learned it is always better to be a leader then a follower,” says Mitch. “If it’s being the guy who steps up first in a drill to go against that player who no one wants to play against or in life, being the guy who stands up for someone being picked on.”

Video of Mitch’s Football Highlights:

(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)