Franklin High School (FHS) senior Daniel Riddle possesses a wide variety of interests and a high level of commitment to each. Riddle is the kicker on the FHS varsity football team, a pianist, and the marimbist for the FHS marching band, on top of his church involvement and landscaping job. A Franklin native and 4.0 GPA student, Riddle is seen as one of the most talented students at FHS, as testified by his coaches and teachers.
From where did all his interests begin?
“It originally started with a passion for music when I was young. The passion for music drove me to play the piano, which drove me to the school band,” Riddle explained.
Riddle has been working on some original pieces, putting in a few hours a week of practice.
“If I’m trying to hone in on a certain section of a song that I struggle with, I just play it over and over until I master it. On the creative side, I just think about how I want the song to sound, and then try to recreate that. A few years back, my piano teacher really inspired me to be creative with the talent I was given. That really changed the way I viewed things.”
FHS Marching Band Director Daniel Ball has known Riddle for all four years of high school. “I think he’s very musical. He’s got a knack for creating music. Over time, getting to know him more, I can tell that he really values all the things he does,” said Ball. “From what I’ve seen, he does a really good job balancing all of his different priorities.”
“All my life, I’ve played soccer. Freshman year, the football team asked me to try to kick for them, and I liked it, so that’s why I joined,” Riddle explained.
He no longer plays soccer, switching to solely football in his junior year of high school.
“Most of the appeal of doing an extracurricular is not necessarily the extracurricular itself; it’s the people you’re around. I really enjoyed being around my football teammates, so that’s why I switched.”
Defensive Coordinator of the FHS football team, Matt Bradley, has known Riddle since 8th grade, when Bradley was the physical education teacher at Macon Middle School (MMS).
“I really got to know Daniel through football. Daniel is probably one of the most overall talented people that I’ve ever known,” said Bradley.
Riddle can frequently be seen on the field in the evenings, practicing on his own or with a kicking coach.
“Ninety percent of the work that I put into football is outside of practice. The team has a tremendous effect on this town. I know I have an ability to support the team by doing what I’m good at, which is kicking field goals; that is motivation enough,” attested Riddle.
Coach Josh Brooks of the FHS football team affirmed his talent and his work ethic.
“To be so talented from a musical standpoint is very rare. For him to have the skills to play the game of soccer and to be a placekicker for our football team is pretty unique. He’s also one of the strongest kids on our whole team. Most kickers are rarely interested in doing anything in the weight room, but Daniel is just the opposite; he loves the challenge. Pound for pound, he is one of the strongest guys on our team.”
With obligations often come obstacles.
“The biggest thing I struggle with is overthinking. That is translated to football in that it is very easy to overthink things; it’s such a mental game. Often, I pray about it and just try to put into perspective – that I’m putting in a lot more work than other high school kickers,” said Riddle.
Riddle’s passion will not end at graduation. “Music is always going to be a part of my life. I do believe that it is a divine gift that God has given me. As far as football, I would like to continue that collegiately.”
His instructors agree that Riddle has potential.
“The music scene is changing, especially the composition side of things. But I think that if he really puts his mind to it, that’s something he could really be successful at,” said Ball.
“I have no doubt that no matter where he goes, he will be successful. Anyone that pays attention to detail and is willing to work on a craft like he does will be successful. I don’t know what he is going to do, but I do know that Daniel Riddle will be successful at whatever he does,” said Brooks.