Hamilton 2025 OLB Talib Graham making move to rival Chandler football
Talib Graham, who saw the field on Friday nights as a freshman last football season at Chandler Hamilton, has transferred to rival Chandler, his father, Larry Graham, said Monday afternoon.
Chandler is ranked No. 4 nationally in the SBLive/Sports Illustrated way-too-early preseason high school football rankings.
Graham, 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, has offers from Idaho State and UAB (Alabama Birmingham).
He is ranked No. 16 in The Arizona Republic's Fab 50 for top 2025 football prospects in the state.
Larry Graham, who owns Athletes Performance Enhancement working with top athletes in the Southeast Valley, said he just felt it was better for his son to be playing at Chandler.
"We have nothing but best wishes for the Hamilton organization and we are thankful for the opportunity to play varsity as a freshman," Larry Graham said in a direct message on social media. "We just felt Chandler would be the best fit moving forward and we are excited to be apart of Ohana.
"For me, it’s about family and the culture it stands for and represents. Super excited to get with Coach (Rick) Garretson and get started."
The Arizona Interscholastic Association's transfer rule on a first move makes players ineligible the first half of the season, unless the family is able to present a hardship appeal.
Larry Graham said he won't be applying for a hardship and that his son will sit out the first five games next season.
Chandler lost two games last season — to Hamilton in the final regular-season game that ended the Wolves' 45-game winning streak and to Scottsdale Saguaro in the Open Division final that ended their streak of five straight state titles.
The Wolves got a big boost in the winter with 2024 quarterback Dylan Raiola moving in from Burleson, Texas. Raiola is rated the No.1 high school prospect in the nation by On3.com.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hamilton 2025 OLB Talib Graham making move to rival Chandler football