When you play 8-man football, you have to be versatile, especially if you have dreams of making it to the college level. Grady does it all, and his combination of size, strength, and speed is simply unfair. He has the movement skills to play at the college level as one of the best 8-man players in the state. We like him most as a middle linebacker, though as a senior he’s shown some really impressive pass-rushing moves as an edge rusher. The jump from 8-man to the D2 level isn’t always easy, but Grady’s the type of prospect who should transition well.

The 6’0 200-pounder had a great opening game for APA, logging 14 tackles in the game. He had 5 solo tackles and 9 assisted tackles, picking up where he left off in the state championship in 2025, where he recorded 13 tackles against Cary Christian, and a team-leading 113 tackles last fall. Grady currently holds three offers, with his most recent being from St. Norbert College.

If you want proof that 8-man players can go on to play at the next level, look no further than Arendell-Parrott, which has placed multiple players in the college ranks. Grady not only looks like the next, but he already has scholarship opportunities. A tackling machine, Grady has great size and sideline-to-sideline speed for North Carolina’s reigning 8-man Champions. Expect a big year from Grady, who had over 100 tackles and four sacks as a junior.