Lakeside's Drayton commands attention of colleges and fans
Chris Drayton got a week away from all of his training this past April when he worked at the 2005 Masters Tournament.
Back
Lakeside's Chris Drayton breaks up a pass intended for Greenbrier's Eugene Rogers during a game in September in Evans. Drayton's future is as a safety. He is ranked the 55th best player in the state by Rivals.com and is the only Augusta-area player listed in the Sporting News High School Football magazine that features the best recruits.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The first day out at Augusta National Golf Club, a woman approached him while he was dressed in his bright yellow jumpsuit and said, "You look like a football player."
That comment came from a stranger. Yet there are many more people across the country who know plenty about Drayton and think the same thing.
Callers to Drayton's phone find it would be nearly impossible to stay on the line for more than a few minutes without being interrupted by an incoming call.
Strangers call the house every day, wanting to know what college the teenager wants to attend, which ones he will visit and which ones have offered him a scholarship.
His answers: I don't know, I'm not sure yet, and Louisville and Kentucky.
"It is cool that people call and want to know what I'm going to do," Drayton said. "I'm not tired of it yet. It is a humbling experience."
Lakeside High School's Chris Drayton has become one of the most highly recruited football players in Columbia County history. Story at right.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Drayton, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound safety from Lakeside High School, has seen his stock explode since the end of his junior season.
He has become one of the most highly recruited football players in Columbia County history.
Interest picks up
It is the summer of 2004, and Lakeside football coach Randy Hill surveys his team's first practice.
When asked about his key players, he talks about seniors Jimmy Johnson and Carl Burrow. The next name he mentions is Chris Drayton.
"He is only a junior, but he has that prototypical size," Hill said more than a year ago. "Colleges will be all over him."
Drayton gathered momentum as his junior season progressed.
He became a playmaker, racking up 84 tackles, breaking up 14 passes and leading the county with four interceptions.
Because of injuries to Johnson and Burrow, Drayton saw more playing time, as a return specialist and quarterback.
Lakeside's Chris Drayton breaks up a pass intended for Greenbrier's Eugene Rogers during a game in September in Evans. Drayton's future is as a safety. He is ranked the 55th best player in the state by Rivals.com and is the only Augusta-area player listed in the Sporting News High School Football magazine that features the best recruits.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"It really gave me a chance to branch out and learn new positions," Drayton said. "I hadn't played quarterback since eighth grade."
Quarterback again
Because of his athleti-cism, it was a no-brainer to try Drayton at quarterback his senior season.
Despite losing both games in which he saw action as quarterback in 2004, Drayton showed flashes of potential.
His 4.4-second 40-yard dash allows him to get to the edge quickly while running the option.
"He is athletically gifted, that's for sure," Greenbrier head coach Mickey Derrick said.
Safe future
Though Drayton will get noticed at quarterback, his future is at safety.
He is ranked the 55th best player in the state by Rivals.com, an online recruiting Web site, and is the only Augusta-area player listed in the Sporting News High School Football magazine that features the best recruits.
He receives mail nearly every day from Auburn, Kentucky, Louisville, Georgia, Clemson, Florida, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech.
Drayton says he will start to pare down his list after taking his ACT college assessment test, but for now he just wants to focus on the season.
"I can feel a lot of pressure on me," Drayton said. "A lot of people are expecting a lot with all the attention I've been getting. But I say, bring it on. I'm ready."