KFBCA Top 11: Drayton Knoll

The Kansas Football Coaches Association picked their All-State teams in early December, including the All-Class Top 11. Kansas Pregame is providing capsules for each of the Top 11 selections. Check out Holcomb offensive and defensive lineman Drayton Knoll's capsule below, the first of the KFBCA Top 11 capsules for 2024. For a look at the complete 2024 KFBCA All-State teams click here.

Holcomb High senior offensive lineman Drayton Knoll capped off a remarkable high school football career as one of the top linemen in Kansas with one last domineering campaign in 2024. A two-time Class 3A all-state selection and the 2024 Sports in Kansas Offensive Lineman of the Year for the small classes, Knoll played a pivotal role in Holcomb’s 9-3 2024 season, which ended with a trip to the state semifinals.
Offensively, Knoll helped lead the way for an explosive spread offense that featured a 1,500-yard passer in senior QB Keegan Johnson and an all-state running back in junior Korbin Johnson. While no stats were kept for his o-line unit, it only takes a short look at his highlight film to realize the 6-5, 305 pound senior’s dominance and including several pancakes blocks. 
Despite the nod from KFBCA for his work on offense, Knoll’s impact was felt both on and off the field, according to Holcomb head coach Trey Teeter.
“Drayton has had a huge impact on our team throughout the last four years,” Teeter said. “He is an extremely talented individual that worked extremely hard. When some of your best players are also the same kids that work as hard as he does, it leaves a lasting legacy within your program and school. He has been a kid that does all of the right things and has been extremely humble about his achievements and offers at the next level. He is a great leader for our younger kids and was always willing to hold others accountable the right way.”
Over the course of Knoll’s high school career he recorded 115 tackles, 14 tackles-for-loss, 5 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery as an interior lineman on the Longhorn D.
While Knoll’s 300-plus frame is an obvious benefit for any lineman, there is much more to what he brings to the table.
“Drayton has incredible size, but what separates him is his athletic ability and attention to detail,” Teeter said. “Several coaches throughout the last few years have made great comments about how athletic he is. He has always played the game with great technique and great detail.”
One particular moment from Knoll’s senior season in a 34-13 win over Cimarron stood out for Teeter as a perfect example of how much Knoll was able to dominate opponents at times.
“Drayton had several shining moments for us throughout the season. He played exceptional football on both sides of the ball throughout our playoff run,” Teeter said. “However, the play that sticks out the most was when he received a 15-yard penalty for driving a defensive tackle off the field and onto the track. It reminded me of the movie scene from ‘The Blind Side’ with Michael Oher.”
A multi-sport athlete, Knoll also averages double figures in basketball and earned all-league a season ago, and is an all-state thrower in track and field who took sixth in the javelin for Holcomb’s 3A boys state championship team last spring. 
Knoll, who is committed to play at the Division I FCS level at the University of Central Arkansas, received nine Division I offers before deciding on UCA. Along with furthering his football career he also plans to major in engineering.
“It was an honor to coach such a great kid, and we are excited to see him continue his career at the next level,” Teeter said.