Grayson Rigdon, Texas high school 6-man football phenom, transfers to Columbus: 'Expect a lot of exciting plays'

3-time 1A state player of the year at Benjamin, enrolls at Columbus; Oklahoma State commit Adam Schobel, Class 3A power add weapon out wide

Andy Buhler | Jul 25, 2024

Grayson Rigdon leads Benjamin over Oglesby to third straight Texas UIL 1A Division II state championship at AT&T Stadium in Dallas in December 2023. / Photo by Tommy Hays, SBLive

The most decorated small school Texas high school football star has a new home in the 11-man ranks.

Grayson Rigdon, who has won three consecutive 6-man state championships at Strawn and Benjamin, has enrolled at Columbus, he confirmed to SBLive on Wednesday. The news was first reported by Dave Campbell's Texas Football.

The Air Force commit gives the Cardinals, led by Oklahoma State committed 4-star quarterback Adam Schobel, one of the state's most decorated weapons out wide.

The move also turns Columbus into an immediate Class 3A contender.

"Columbus fans should expect a lot of exciting plays this fall," Rigdon told SBLive. "Can't wait to be a part of a great program."

When it comes to winning, Rigdon — whose last name has been a fixture atop the Texas 6-man football ranks in recent years — has a Midas touch.

Behind Rigdon's lead, Strawn and Benjamin 45-0 over the past three seasons. In each of those years, he was named 1A state player of the year and state championship MVP.

Rigdon projects as a 3-star wideout, but was a do-everthing playmaker for Benjamin.

RELATED: Top 50 Texas high school quarterbacks returning in 2024

As a junior, he completed 82 percent of his passes for 1,244 yards and 19 touchdowns, ran for another 2,402 yards and 49 touchdowns and added 637 receiving yards and 18 more TDs in the air.

Also a prolific basketball player, Rigdon averaged 45.1 points, 8.0 boards, 6.0 steals and 4.2 assists per game as a junior.

Columbus is coming off of a 12-1 season and UIL 3A Division I regional quarterfinal (third round) appearance.

Schobel (6-4, 185), the nation's No. 14 QB and No. 30 prospect in Texas (Rivals), threw for 2,405 yards, 30 touchdowns and four interception and will be a four-year standout under center for the Cardinals.

Columbus opens the season on Aug. 30 at Cuero.

-- Andy Buhler | andy@scorebooklive.com | @SBLiveTX

Published Jul 25, 2024

ANDY BUHLER

Andy Buhler is a Portland, Oregon-based sportswriter with more than nine years of experience covering high school sports across the country. He's covered the likes of Paolo Banchero and Tari Eason, served on state tournament seeding committees and launched the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national boys basketball rankings. He has covered everything from the Final Four, MLS in Atlanta to local velodrome before diving into the world of preps. His bylines can be found in The News Tribune (Tacoma, Washington), The Associated Press, The Columbian (Vancouver, Washington), The Oregonian and more. He holds a journalism degree from Gonzaga.