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SoCal playmaker beginning to get traction

Wide receiver Brandon Graves (5-10, 165, 4.48) from Encino (Calif.) Crespi has had quite an odyssey over the last couple years, but now he is once again on the playing field doing what he does best and that is making big plays.
Graves first burst onto the scene as a sophomore at Los Alamitos, Calif., but transferred to Encino (Calif.) Crespi for his junior season and due to CIF rules couldn't play on varsity in 2008.
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The hard working Graves went onto the camp circuit and impressed, but colleges wanted to see him in action, as a senior, before they would pull the trigger with an offer.
More heartbreak was ahead, for Graves when he hurt his shoulder in a passing league contest this past summer that held him out for 10 weeks.
"Last summer I was coming down with an interception and fell on my arm," Graves said explaining his injury. "I thought I was going to be back in time, but I stayed in the weight room and worked out with the trainers and did everything they told me to do and got back.
"When I listened to the trainers, I became stronger and got back sooner than I thought," Graves said. "I'm 100 percent now."
Now finally back playing and making up for lost time, Graves has been outstanding. He has hauled in 17 receptions for 326 yards and five receiving touchdowns. He is also doing the job on special teams, as he has returned a kick for a 90 yard touchdown. That's pretty good production for five games.
Last week against Santa Fe Springs (Calif.) St. Paul he had over 200 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns. He also had a safety on special teams.
Against Mission Hills (Calif.) Alemany, Graves had 11 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown.
In his first game, against a very tough Anaheim (Calif.) Servite, Graves caught three passes for 85 yards.
Recruiting is beginning to pick up for Graves as he is beginning to get attention from several schools.
Schools such as Northern Arizona, Iowa State, UCLA, Utah State, Wyoming, and Colorado called or contacted Graves over the past two weeks.
"There are a lot of schools looking at me right now, but I don't have any favorites," Graves said. "I'm really just going to take my visits and then I'll be able to make a decision.
"I don't have any visits sets, but I'm working on setting one with Iowa State," Graves said. "I went on an unofficial visit to Northern Arizona, last week.
"Northern Arizona was good," Graves said. "I liked the atmosphere, but I'm keeping my options open."
The next month is going to be a very important month for Graves and if he continues to play the way he has don't be surprised to see his five visits quickly fill up.
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