Defensive tackle Mason Graham, a force in the middle of Michigan’s defensive line the past three seasons, is entering the NFL Draft.
ESPN reported the news Tuesday, citing Graham’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Graham has not stated whether he intends to play in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama, though coach Sherrone Moore said he anticipated some of Michigan’s prospects would opt to focus on draft preparation rather than playing in the bowl game.
Graham, a three-year starter, was a key part of Michigan’s run to the national championship in 2023. He’s widely projected as a top-10 pick and was No. 3 the latest mock draft from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. Graham, listed at 6 feet 3 and 320 pounds, had 45 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as a junior and finished the season with a dominant performance in Michigan’s 13-10 upset of Ohio State.
“He’s an absolute animal,” Moore said last month. “I wish I could convince him to stay another year, but we probably know that’s not going to happen. You talk about an incredible kid, an incredible player, a force. He gives you everything he has on every single play. He’s going to be an outstanding pro.”
Dane Brugler’s draft analysis
Though he later climbed in the rankings, Graham wasn’t a highly touted recruit when he committed to Michigan out of Servite High School in Anaheim, Calif., where he also was a standout wrestler. Graham cracked Michigan’s starting lineup as a freshman and became a pivotal player on Michigan’s Big Ten championship teams in 2022 and 2023. Despite Michigan’s 7-5 record, Graham had another dominant season in 2024 and was a first team all-Big Ten selection.
Last year, I spent countless hours studying Michigan tape because of all the draft-eligible prospects on the title-winning team. But it was No. 55, then just a sophomore, who drew my eye more than anyone else. He kept popping on the screen.
Graham was again the best player on the Wolverines’ defense in 2024 and cemented himself as one of the best players in the 2025 draft class. He isn’t without his faults — his arms are shorter than ideal, and his pass rushing is based more on energy than nuanced variety. But Graham, a state champion wrestler in high school, consistently wins with leverage, angles and explosiveness to break down blocks and affect the backfield.
He has one of the highest floors in this draft class, along with Pro Bowl potential, which is why he won’t get out of the top 10.
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(Photo: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)
