Q&A: Five questions with Watkins Mill quarterback Markel Grant

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After leading Watkins Mill football to its first playoff appearance since 1993, junior quarterback Markel Grant is primed build on the 5-6 mark from a year ago.

Standing at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Grant is a Power-5 college prospect with dual-threat ability under center. As a sophomore, he amassed 1,832 passing yards and tossed 16 touchdowns while only throwing four interceptions. He also ran for 583 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

Clemson, Florida, N.C. State, North Carolina, Purdue, South Carolina, Syracuse, Temple and Virginia have all expressed interest in the Class of 2018 quarterback.

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Q: How would you describe last season for Watkins Mill football?

A: Well, last year, we came together over the offseason and told each other we wanted to do something more than go 3-7. We wanted to win some games and prove the people wrong who said we couldn’t make it into the playoffs. We just came together as a team, we did that. We proved people wrong.

 

What have you done this offseason to better yourself for this season?

Over the offseason, I was in the weight room more. I’m working on my leadership skills, a vocal leader. My teammates tend to follow me, so I need to lead by example. I just need to focus on being a better leader for my team.

 

What are expectations for yourself and then your team this year?

Expectations for myself is to be the number one quarterback in (Montgomery County). And for my team, to be above .500 and make the playoffs and try to lead my team to states.

 

What’s your dream job?

Right now, I’m trying to get a Division-1 scholarship and play college ball, after that, try to make my talents to the NFL and just make my family proud. I don’t know what I want to major in college. I always liked math, I’ve always been a math person. So it’ll probably be something involving math.

 

Who do you look up to as a quarterback?

I try to mold my game around Cam Newton, since he’s my height, my size. I try to take things off of him. He’s a leader on and off the field. What he’s been through, it’s a lot. I look up to him as a role model and model my game after him.