Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham is off to the NFL.
According to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter on Tuesday, the Wolverines‘ star defensive player has declared for April’s NFL draft and hired Drew Rosenhaus and Ryan Matha as his agents.
There is no mention by Schefter or in ESPN’s article on whether Graham will play in Michigan’s ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama.
Michigan junior All-American defensive tackle Mason Graham has declared for the NFL draft and hired Drew Rosenhaus and Ryan Matha to represent him. “We expect Mason to get drafted in the top five picks,” Rosenhaus said. pic.twitter.com/hi4NZ0OOUD
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 10, 2024
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The 6-foot-3, 320-pound defensive tackle is having his best season at Michigan this year, finishing the regular season with 45 tackles and 3.5 sacks for a loss of 26 yards.
Graham earned All-Big Ten first team by both the coaches and media this season. He was named a second-team All-American last season after finishing with 35 total tackles (seven ½ for a loss), three sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a pass deflection.
In Michigan’s historic upset over Ohio State in Week 14, Graham recorded a career-high seven tackles. The Wolverines’ defensive tackle is ranked as the No. 5 prospect in this year’s NFL draft class according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., and the No. 1 defensive tackle.
“I love Graham’s technique. His leverage gives him an advantage at the point of attack, and interior offensive linemen struggle with his power and quickness,” Kiper Jr. wrote about the Wolverines’ defensive tackle. “Graham has strong and active hands, and he has proved effective against the run and pass from inside. He had two sacks against Minnesota in September but has managed just 1.5 the rest of the season.
Graham is projected to go No. 9 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals in USA Today’s latest NFL mock draft
Mason Graham stats
Here’s a breakdown on Graham’s stats at Michigan:
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2022: 27 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss of 20 yards, 2.5 sacks for a loss of 20 yards and a pass deflection
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2023: 35 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss of 44 yards, three sacks for a loss of 19 yards, one pass deflection, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery
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2024: 45 total tackles, seven tackles for a loss of 34 yards, 3.5 sacks for a loss of 26 yards, one pass deflection and a block
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan star DT Mason Graham declares for NFL draft, hires agent | Report
