Mason Graham, a standout defensive tackle from Michigan, is anticipated to be a top-10 pick in this year’s NFL draft. At a recent combine, Graham described his role on the field, stating: “Yeah, I feel like I affect every snap, run or pass. I feel like I’m a dominant player, one of the most dominant players in this class.”
Throughout his time at Michigan, Graham accumulated 9.0 sacks and 56 pressures over three seasons, playing alongside fellow first-round prospect Kenneth Grant. His performance in key games, such as the Wolverines’ notable 13-10 upset against Ohio State where he recorded a season-high eight tackles, underscores his impact. “I mean, I feel like just rolling out Ohio State film, you know, that’s all you need to see, really,” Graham noted.
Graham prides himself on his versatility: “I rate it pretty high,” he said about his pass rushing abilities. “I pride myself on playing the run and the pass because I feel like that’s what a complete D-lineman does. But obviously, rushing the passer, I feel like I’m really good at, too. I can run through guys, or I can be a finesse guy, too, at the same time.”
His skills are grounded in his high school wrestling experience, which has informed his approach to leverage and angle usage on the field. “It was more of just like a hobby to me, like out of season,” he said. “I heard one of my high school coaches actually recommended that I do it. So, it wasn’t something that I was dying to do, but I feel like it was good for me in the long run.”
Graham reflects on his technique, saying: “You guys are getting tangled up, and that’s kind of how the O-line and D-line works.”
As he prepares for the NFL, Graham emphasizes his dedication to consistency and physicality: “You know, I feel like I’ve put in a lot of hard work. I’ve been coached really well. All throughout high school and college, put in the extra time, put in the extra work, try to perfect and do the best player I could for my teammates.”
