What 3-star quarterback and Lipscomb Academy transfer Braden Graham brings to Riverdale

The competition for the quarterback position at Riverdale got more interesting this week.

Braden Graham, rated by Rivals as a 3-star prospect, enrolled at Riverdale after transferring from Lipscomb Academy on Monday and will bring several college offers with him.

It is sort of a homecoming for Graham, whose family lived in Murfreesboro until he started middle school, when they moved to the Nolensville area. He attended Lipscomb the past two years.

"My dad's job has been pushing down here and we just recently moved into (Riverdale zone), three minutes down the street," said Graham, who Rivals lists as the No. 20 quarterback nationally in the 2024 class (ninth overall in Tennessee). 247Sports has yet to give him a rating.

"I was given the decision to drive (to Lipscomb) every day or come here. I lived here for 13 years and have buddies I played youth ball with."

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Graham has offers from Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Louisville, Duke, Toledo, Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee State.

He was part of Lipscomb's 2020 DII-AA state runner-up and 2021 state champion squads, playing for former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer. He was part of a deep QB position there, including Cincinnati signee Luther Richesson.

"I had a great two years there," Graham said. "Coach Dilfer and the rest of the staff are amazing. There's so much wisdom there. It was definitely a tough decision to leave some of my friends.

"Some of the best players in the country play there. But I'm excited to be here, excited to be back with some of my youth guys. I'll continue building bonds and getting better over the next few weeks."

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Riverdale started spring practice Monday, and coach Will Kriesky has been impressed with what he has seen from Graham thus far.

"He's very knowledgeable of the position," Kriesky said. "He's a hard worker and picking up things really quick. He's spent extra time with (first-year offensive coordinator Justin Barnes), trying to get on the same page. It's impressive what he's been able to do over the past two days.

"His arm strength is very impressive."

Riverdale has five quarterbacks on the roster this spring, including returner Luke Smith. The Warriors graduate three-year starter Jameson Holcomb.

"Competition brings out the best," Kriesky said. "This is probably the most quarterbacks we've had on the roster since I've been here."

"Wherever you go, you're going to compete," Graham said. "I'm very comfortable with my ability to play this game. I learned under the best. At Lipscomb it was competition every day. It's no different here. I'm coming here to win the job, coming here with a different mentality and knowing how to win, and I'll bring that here."

Riverdale went 10-2 last season, reaching the second round of the 6A playoffs.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.