Graham was born on September 2, 2003, and attended Servite High School in Anaheim, California.[1] Graham was a two-way player for his high school football team, starting on the defensive line and starting at tackle on the offensive line. He was also a star wrestler at Servite.[2][3]
In December 2021, he was selected by the Los Angeles Times as the High School Football Player of the Year and named an All-American by MaxPreps. As a senior, he recorded 60 tackles, 22 tackles for a loss and 14 sacks on the season.[4] Graham was rated as a four-star recruit, and ranked as the No. 162 overall player in the country.[5]
Graham enrolled at the University of Michigan in 2022, and saw extensive playing time as a true freshman.[8][9][10] Graham appeared in all 14 games, totaling 27 tackles and 2.5 sacks. His first career sack came in his first career game, versus Colorado State on September 3, 2022. After the season, he was named to the True Freshman All-America team by Pro Football Focus.[11]
Sophomore season (2023)
Graham (No. 55) in the 30–24 victory over Ohio State in 2023
In 2023, Graham was named as a second-team All-American by The Sporting News, and a first-team All-Big Ten selection.[12] He appeared in 13 games for the Wolverines, totaling 36 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.[13] Graham was named the Defensive Player of the Game in the 2024 Rose Bowl, following a four-tackle performance in the victory against Alabama.[14] The following week he won the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship in a 34–13 victory over the Washington Huskies.[15]
Junior season (2024)
Entering his junior season, Mason Graham was ranked as the best interior defensive lineman in college football by the media.[16][17][18] He was widely considered to be an early first round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.[19][20][21] In week four against the USC Trojans, Graham recorded six tackles and his first sack of the season.[22] In week five against Minnesota, he followed up his performance with four tackles and a career high two sacks.[23] In week six versus Washington, Graham blocked a field goal, had two tackles and his third straight game with a sack.[24] Graham finished the season with 45 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks.[25]
In November 2024, Graham was named as a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the best defensive player in college football, and the Outland Trophy, given to the best interior lineman (offensive or defensive). He was the fifth player in Michigan football history to be a finalist for the Nagurski and the sixth for the Outland.[26][27] Graham also received unanimous All-American honors, named to the first-team by each of the five officially recognized NCAA selectors.[a] He was the 29th unanimous selection all-time for Michigan Wolverines, and the 27th individual player.[b][28]
On December 10, Graham declared for the 2025 NFL draft, foregoing the ReliaQuest Bowl and his senior year.[29] Graham finished his three year career at the University of Michigan with a 35-6 team record, two Big Ten championships, All-American honors twice, a Rose Bowl MVP, was a national champion, and finished 3-0 against both rivals, Michigan State and Ohio State. He appeared in 39 games, starting 27 times and recording 108 career tackles, 18 tackles for a loss and nine sacks.[30]
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