Brandon Graham's draft prospects rising
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. took note of Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham’s two-sack, 3 1/2-tackle-for-loss game last week against Iowa. Both of Graham’s sacks came against left tackle Bryan Bulaga, Kiper’s No. 1-rated tackle in the 2011 class.
"In terms of pro potential, just consider that the Hawkeyes have the premier tackle tandem in the Big Ten,” Kiper wrote on ESPN.com. “This will be one of the first tapes that scouts review when trying to gauge what the future holds for Graham in the NFL."
Graham moved up two spots to No. 23 on Kiper’s “2010 Big Board” of draft prospects and ranks third among senior defensive ends behind Mississippi’s Greg Hardy and TCU’s Jerry Hughes.
After an 0-for September, Graham has three sacks in the last two games and is tied for the Big Ten lead with seven tackles-for-loss in conference play.
“I was hungry to get them,” Graham said. “I was starving for a minute. I’m kind of full a little bit, but I’m about to get even more.”
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Comments
blue
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 : 8:13 a.m.
It's too bad there's not a statistical category for "freaking out the quarterback and making him do something stupid at the last second." I'll bet you BG would be tops in the nation in that, even if his sack totals aren't that high. I don't think he gets enough credit in stopping the run, either. Seems like he's in on every play.
81wolverine
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 3:31 p.m.
Graham seems to be getting better as the season goes on. He would have more sacks now, if not for the double-teaming, as said already by Jeremy. It's too bad Michigan doesn't have a DE of similar ability on the other side. Then, the other team couldn't get away with this. But, Graham should get Michigan back onto the board in the NFL first round next spring.
jeremy
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 1:13 p.m.
graham IMO should be a top 15 pick. The guy has got a motor and a knack for knowing how to get to the qb or rb. He isnt having his best statistical year, but thats cause more teams are doubling him and rolling out the qb away from him. I think he will have the best nfl career out of the guys who have left the program in the past 10 years