Fresno State’s latest recruit makes commit a gift to his guardian angel
It was a few weeks ago now that Frankco Gratton made a commitment to Fresno State, and the outside linebacker from Rainier Beach High in Seattle was urged by just about everyone back then to get the word out because it’s a big deal; a college scholarship, FBS football, all of it.
It’s big, certainly, for the Bulldogs, getting a 6-foot-4 outside linebacker with length, athleticism and the ability to be a playmaker whether pass rushing the quarterback or playing in coverage.
But Gratton said no, not yet.
He had a date in mind, and a message, and he finally posted it on social media on Monday morning: “I thank god for everything without him none of this would be possible. I want to thank my entire family for their constant support. To my coaches and teammates thank you for believing and being patient with me.
“And to my guardian angel, I grew up watching you take care of business and go to school, and here I am following in your footsteps. You’ve been having my back since you left and I feel your spirit every day. Today is your day and I wanted to make it special, HAPPY BIRTHDAY AYANNA! Continue protecting, guiding, and loving me. With that being said in honor of you I am excited to say that I am 100% committed to FRESNO STATE UNIVERSITY!!”
Ayanna is Gratton’s older sister, who passed away four years ago after suffering a seizure in her sleep, just weeks after she had turned 21.
“It was 2016, I was 13,” Gratton said. “My dad and I were on a father-son camping trip – it was boys only. My sister had been diagnosed with lupus some years before. A week before her birthday she had a seizure, but she was OK. She was with friends and they got her to the hospital.
“But two weeks after her birthday, when we were on this camping trip, she had a seizure in her sleep and nobody was with her and she ended up passing in her sleep.”
Ever since her death, Gratton said, he feels like his older sister has been there guarding over him, guiding him, supporting him.
“As painful as it may be, there’s always some good that comes from bad,” he said. “She’s the one who pushes me to go harder every day. She plays a big role in why I am where I am today, and why I am who I am.
“I’m just blessed to be here and the position that I’m in. A lot of it comes from her, her perseverance. I grew up watching her. She is one of the first people in my family to go to college. Just seeing my older sister do that, that was big for me. And to be able to follow in her footsteps and go to college, to receive a scholarship, it was too hard to pass up.”
And, Monday, the 27th, her birthday, it was the right time for his announcement. So, bright and early, he put it out on social media.
“I wanted to make it special for her,” Gratton said. “Now the whole world knows where my heart is at, where my head is at and where I’ll be playing.”
Fresno State 2021 recruiting class
Gratton joins a Fresno State 2021 recruiting class that has taken off over the past two weeks.
The Bulldogs now have 11 confirmed commitments and Gratton is the fifth from out of state along with defensive back defensive back Charlotin Charles (6-0, 195) from Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas; tight end Tre Watson (6-5, 222) from Cleveland High in Rio Rancho, N.M.; offensive tackle Braylen Nelson (6-5, 310) from Vista Peak High in Aurora, Colo.; and running back Malik Brooks (6-2, 205) from Desert Pines High in Las Vegas.
In state, the Bulldogs have commitments from San Joaquin Memorial running back Jordan Hornbeak (6-0, 190), offensive lineman Rolan Fullwood (6-5, 305) and running back Johnathan Arceneaux (6-0, 185) from Lawndale High, quarterback Jaylen Henderson (6-3, 205) from Chaminade High in West Hills, safety Julian Neal (6-4, 195) from Mission High in San Francisco and defensive tackle Julius Lewis (6-5, 280) from Central Catholic in Modesto.
High school football in Washington has been pushed back to the spring due to the coronavirus and Gratton, who played defensive end last season at Rainier Beach around 210 pounds, said that he might skip his senior season to prepare for his first fall camp.
“I’ve talked to my coaches about that,” Gratton said. “I’ll be signing in December, so I might not play. I might focus on my body – get big, get strong, get faster, work on my mind and just come into Fresno State ready to work. I feel like if I come in ready, if I come in in top shape, I can come in as a freshman and get some playing time and make a difference.”
This story was originally published July 27, 2020 at 2:11 PM.