How G10 Academy Helps Student-Athletes Become Legends

Although Houston and Dallas lead the numbers in Texas NFL player production, Austin is catching up as they’ve produced around 70 players since 1952. These players include Indianapolis Colts’ tight end Kylen Granson and former Atlanta Falcons tight end Ryan Becker, both of whom credit G10 Academy for their success. 

Kylen and Becker are like brothers. Both played football together at Marble Falls High School for two years before Kylen relocated to Westlake High School. They eventually reunited at Southern Methodist University and played together as tight ends.

In 2020, Becker began his rookie year as a TE for the Arizona Cardinals but was cut from the team after receiving no preseason playing time. Instead of giving up, he started preparing for another shot at the NFL. 

To rebuild strength and courage, Becker called on Kylen’s stepfather, David Granson, who opened a training facility called G10 Academy in 2017 after years of coaching across Texas. David’s unique coaching style and faith in his athletes through G10 helped rebuild Becker mentally and physically. 

“I knew I was a good college player, but you don’t really know if you can make it,” Becker says. “Coach Granson believed in me. He kept telling me, ‘Stay patient. Trust me. You’re good enough.’”

Photo credit to G10 Academy

What makes David’s coaching style unique is how he focuses on holistic training specialized for young athletes — primarily middle and high school students, some college, and a few professional athletes. But G10 all started with David’s own athlete, his daughter. David eventually returned to school to learn more about strength training and coaching to help her earn a higher-level spot in basketball.  

“Nobody wanted to train my oldest daughter because she was a girl,” David says. “So, I taught (her) myself.”

David’s hardcore training is fueled by care for his athletes and their success as he tries to give an edge to student-athletes who were overlooked. 

“(These athletes) end up having a lot of success after leaving (G10) because (…) we spent enough time with them to learn what they’re capable of and figured out how to get it out,” David says.

Becker is one of many athletes who David devoted his time, hoping to bring out his edge. After a year of training with David, Becker signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021. He was later injured during the preseason, cut from the team in May 2022, and has been recovering and training with David since. Still, Becker hasn’t given up hope and remains patient for an opening on an NFL team as a tight end or deep snapper. 

David’s stepson Kylen has also experienced a tremendous leap in his athletic career as a result of David’s coaching. While at Westlake, Kylen experienced two injuries, making him almost unable to try out for a college team. During his senior year, Kylen knew he had to work hard if he wanted to play and trained nearly four times a day to regain his strength. In 2021, Kylen became the fourth-round draft pick for the Indianapolis Colts. 

 One reason why David’s coaching is successful is that he uses a small group training approach to train athletes who play team sports. His groups consist of six to 15 athletes, which he says is small enough to be intimate, informational and conducive to their sports.

 Small group training also breeds confidence, which, David says, comes through training, development and knowledge of what it takes to be physically strong. Players must understand their motivations and how to apply that to sport and life.  

For Army West Point linebacker Leo Lowin, the discipline learned during David’s training helped him establish a healthy routine for his future. Lowin played junior varsity in every sport until his junior year at Westlake, eventually ending up at G10. Lowin credits his career to David’s training as he has become a more functional, confident athlete. 

“(Training at G10) helped set me apart from the other guys in my grade,” Lowin says. “(…) I learned a lot about how to work out, eat, sleep. It gave me a body that was ready for college football.”

According to David, knowledge and routine are both parts of building a healthy foundation. He says being mentally and physically healthy means understanding your gifts and how to enhance them. 

  Lowin says creating good habits early on, like working hard at school and sports, will carry over into the rest of your life. He sought balance at a young age by dedicating weekdays to homework and training and spending one day during the weekend having fun with friends. 

“Finding balance is a key to life,” Lowin says.

David’s athletes testify to his coaching through their habits and discipline, on and off the field. Though he has produced excellent football players, David’s G10 Legends roster also includes college and professional soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, softball and basketball players, as well as a collegiate swimmer. 

When it comes to building a healthy lifestyle, starting young is key. By making better choices and implementing more movement, you can start training for life.  

“Health and wellness is a lifestyle,” David says. “A good routine yields good results.”