The Canadian Army Knife: How Noah Gravel’s versatility has allowed him to succeed at Baylor School
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (BVM) — Growing up in Quebec, Noah Gravel has always had a dream to play high school football in the United States. Due to an untraditional path, he’s getting his chance.
As a freshman at Collège Charles-Lemoyne in Sainte-Catherine, Canada, he would start at quarterback and excel. The 6-foot, 210-pound signal caller was named the RSEQ Rookie of the Year and made the CFC all-Canadian first team.
He was beginning to make a name for himself on the field and in his neighborhood. After one of his games, Gravel was approached by a kid who was very familiar with the young quarterback. He had studied his highlights and considered Noah his idol.
“That was something that meant a lot to me,” Gravel said. “I’ve always worked hard and a kid coming up to me saying that, that was really something special to me.”
After Gravel’s tremendous start, his high school career would be put on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic cancelling his sophomore year. The following summer, with speculation of calling off a second season, he decided to create a Twitter account to post some of his workouts. This would get the attention of prep schools across the United States.
Gravel spoke with head coach Phil Massey of the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn. for five minutes and knew it was the best spot for him without even taking a visit there.
IT’S OFFICIAL ‼️
I am blessed to say that I will attend Baylor school in Tennessee for the next two years. It’s the beginning of something big.
Thanks you @CoachGerry10! #CCLWAY #BaylorBound
@CSmithScout @baylorfootball_ @chatfootball @MVPFA2016 @QBHitList pic.twitter.com/ohPBqswuUJ— Noah.gravel (@Noahgravel1) April 10, 2021
“Baylor School was the place for me,” Gravel said. “I really trusted my gut. That was one of the best decisions of my life. I feel truly blessed.”
This past July, Gravel headed down south to get acclimated to his new home for his junior year. He immediately fell in love with the community.
“People love to go to church on Sundays and go to high school football games on Friday nights,” Gravel said.
As Gravel would get adjusted to a new city, he would also adjust to a new position on the football field as Baylor would move him to linebacker.
“I have really good coaches,” Gravel said. “In the span of three weeks, they helped me learn a new position I didn’t play. That was maybe God’s plan.”
With his physicality and football IQ, he is already becoming an impact player on the defensive side of the ball, but Gravel is looking forward to putting in more work after the season dedicated to his new role.
“I’ve only been a linebacker for the last four months,” Gravel said. “An offseason as a linebacker and not a quarterback will help me a lot.”
Gravel is hoping that his work ethic that has gotten him this far will take him to the collegiate level as well. While he wants to do it for himself, he wants to do it for the two main people that have helped him the most along the way.
“My parents have sacrificed a lot for me to be here,” Gravel said. “A way I want to thank them is by going to college for free. I want to thank them for everything they’ve done for me.”
If Gravel gets the opportunity to play college ball or beyond that, he will have a lot more kids waiting for him after the game.
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