Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

One of the most productive defenders in the area announced on Thursday he will play his collegiate football at one of the most successful programs in the country.

Liberty High senior linebacker Griffin Kraft revealed his plans to continue his career at defending NAIA national champion Morningside with a post on social media.

“Very blessed and excited to announce that I will be attending Morningside University to continue my academic and football career,” Kraft wrote on Twitter. “Wouldn’t be in this position without the support of all my coaches, friends, Family and anyone that has supported me on my journey.”

Over the past two seasons Kraft has displayed a nose for getting to the ball carrier.

Kraft led Liberty High in tackles each of the past two seasons averaging nearly eight tackles per game during his two-year varsity career.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound linebacker had a team-high 50.5 tackles including 36 solo stops and five tackles for loss as a junior in a Covid-shortened 2020 season.

As a senior last fall Kraft led Liberty High with 61 tackles, 29 solo stops and 11 tackles for loss and also had two sacks and recovered a fumble.

On offense Kraft had 11 receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown last season as a senior.

Kraft joins a Morningside program that has been as successful as any in the country over the past four seasons.

The Mustangs won their third national title in the past four seasons in 2021, defeating Grandview 38-28 in the NAIA national championship game in December in Durham, North Carolina.

Morningside was 14-0 last season, it’s third unbeaten season in the last four years and is a combined 53-1 over the past four seasons.

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