St. John’s Prep has the highest winning percentage of any Div. 1 program dating back to the start of the 2022 season and Graham Roberts is at the center of it all.

Roberts, a three-year starter for the Eagles, is the focal point of an offensive line that is widely regarded as the top unit annually in the Commonwealth. The right tackle is once again allowing the Eagles to dictate pace on both sides of the ball.

“When you start on the offensive line as a sophomore like he did, you have to be a good player,” St. John’s Prep coach Brian St. Pierre said. “He is on par with some of the top guys we have had play there. And he’s just a good human.”

Graham’s affinity for football started at a young age, growing up a New England Patriots fan and playing in the yard with his older brother Dylan. When Dylan made the trek to the Prep so too did Graham, where he began to soak in the mentorship of not only his coaches but upperclassmen. Along with improvements physically, he also made ample time to learn from the likes of upperclassmen Mason McSweeeney, Matthew Callahan, and Jack Fillion in the hopes of being a captain. That goal became a reality this season.

“I have always watched teammates in leadership positions,” Roberts said. “Prep football has impacted my life so much that I am willing to do anything for the program. Being an unselfish leader is what I want to be and I work on it everyday.”

While much of the attention in recent years has been on the Eagles many talented skill players, their success is largely a byproduct of their stout offensive line. Commandeering that protection unit is Roberts. He has allowed the Prep to dominate the line of scrimmage on a regular basis and control the tempo of the game. That was never more evident than in the Eagles march to the Div. 1 Super Bowl in 2022 where they outscored opponents 162-41. In the season’s climax, the Eagles front used their physicality to wear down an explosive Springfield Central team in the pouring rain in a 13-0 victory.

A former NFL quarterback, St. Pierre knows the importance of setting the tone up front. For St. Pierre, though, Roberts’ most important attribute is his persona. In the likes of a point guard in basketball or a catcher on the baseball diamond, Roberts serves as an extension of the coaching staff with his even-measured leadership style with his fellow teammates.

“They’re called ‘glue guys’ for a reason,” St. Pierre said. “Having one on the offensive line is important. Those five guys work together as a unit. To have a guy with those leadership qualities, to be leading that group … it’s a privilege to have a kid like that with Graham.”

Despite his abilities on the field, Roberts manages to one-up himself in the classroom. His enjoys economics and has his sights set on a career in finance. When an opportunity to continue his playing career at Harvard came along in the spring of his junior year, it was a match made in heaven. Graham drooled at the thought of playing at Harvard from a young age when his youth days playing lacrosse allowed him to compete in Harvard Stadium.

“I grew up playing lacrosse in Harvard Stadium and I have always dreamed about playing on that field for real,” Roberts said. “The coaching staff at Harvard made me feel at home the moment I stepped on campus for a visit.”

The Swampscott native has little left to accomplish as it pertains to accolades. He is a Super Bowl champion, a Boston Herald all-scholastic, a captain, and headed for an Ivy League school. Still, Roberts believes there is plenty more to achieve this fall.

“I really want to absorb as much coaching as I can,” Roberts said. “I need to continue to grow as a player and work on things such as technique. I can’t wait to develop into a better player.”

NAME: Graham Roberts

SCHOOL: St. John’s Preparatory School

AGE: 17

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6’3 285 lbs.

POSITION: Right tackle and defensive tackle

NICKNAME: G-Rob

FAMILY: Karen Roberts (Mom), Andrew Roberts (Dad), Dylan Roberts (Brother, SJP ‘22 Bates Football ‘26)

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Committed to play football at Harvard University, Football Senior Captain, Junior Year Coaches award, Catholic Conference All Star, Boston Herald All Scholastic, Head of School List

FAVORITE PERSONAL MOMENT IN SPORTS: Winning the 2022 Div. 1 State Championship as a sophomore starter

FAVORITE COURSE IN SCHOOL: Economics

LEAST FAVORITE COURSE IN SCHOOL: History

FAVORITE PIGOUT FOOD: All you can eat sushi. Especially spicy tuna

FAVORITE TV SHOW: The Office

FAVORITE MOVIE: Southpaw

FAVORITE MUSICIAN: Zach Bryan

FAVORITE VIDEO GAME: College Football 25

FAVORITE SMARTPHONE APP: Instagram

FAVORITE TWITTER ACCOUNT TO FOLLOW: @StJohnsPrepFB

FAVORITE PRO TEAM: New England Patriots

FAVORITE ATHLETE: David Andrews

HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A GAME: Foam rolling, caffeine, and a lot AC/DC

IF YOU COULD BE SOMEONE ELSE FOR A DAY, WHO WOULD IT BE: Prime Tom Brady

CAREER AMBITIONS: Finance