The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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APRIL 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 23 grabbing them between the shoulder pads. It was why his high school coach, Troy Thomas, asked him to wrestle (like he did all his linemen) in preparation for the season, and he watched him become a two-time league champion at heavy- weight. On that night in Minneapolis, though, Graham played on power and instinct, dominating the Minnesota line like no Michigan lineman his size had since per- haps Branch at Penn State in 2006. With Kenneth Grant, Kris Jenkins and Rayshaun Benny complementing him, the Wolverines had a front many believed could take them all the way. A BRIGHT FUTURE They would do just that, of course, making an impact in every single game, and Graham was often in the middle of it. In three of the biggest contests of the year, he was involved in game-changing plays. Against Ohio State, Graham and edge Jaylen Harrell blew up the Buckeyes' line with a two-man stunt on which both closed in on quarterback Kyle McCord. Harrell got the hit that forced a bad throw, and junior safety Rod Moore the resulting interception that sealed the game. Graham's tackle for loss on second- and-goal in overtime of the Rose Bowl eventually set up the fourth-and-3 play on which the defense stuffed Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe to preserve a 27- 20 win. The Wolverines advanced to the CFP National Championship game, where Graham's hit on Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. forced a Will Johnson pick to start the second half. That led to a field goal and a two-score lead that gave the Wolverines breathing room. It's not often an interior lineman wins MVP of a game with only 4 tackles and no sacks, but Graham was so disruptive against the Crimson Tide he left Rose Bowl voters no choice. "I really felt like the whole defense could have been the MVP," Graham said "We played our butts off out there, and at the tough times we were really resilient. It all came together. "But I feel like our defining moment of the season came on that last play of the game. During overtime, we looked and saw what the offense was doing and had the will to win on such a big stage. "There are so many eyes on you, so much pressure in that situation. I was grateful for it, but anyone could have won MVP." But Graham earned it, Karsch noted. Although the second-year play-by-play man didn't call the sophomore's name frequently, it wasn't hard for him and an- alyst Jon Jansen to see how disruptive No. 55 had been in the middle. It got to the point where the big and talented Alabama linemen had their heads on swivels wondering where he'd show up next. And while the Crimson Tide center previously had some minor snapping is- sues coming into the game, he was all over the place against the Wolverines. "The play he made to put Alabama in third-and-forever was just a legendary play," Karsch said. "He put them in jail with the game on the line. "I wouldn't be surprised if all those botched snaps took place out of fear of Mason Graham. The guy couldn't handle him, and was so preoccupied with Mason Graham that he couldn't get the ball to Milroe. I credit Mason Graham's pres- ence." Not bad for a guy who, in high school, thought he'd be a linebacker. He'd made the switch to the d-line reluctantly, he admitted, when his coach, Troy Thomas, convinced him it was in his best interest if he wanted to play at the next level. The advice paid off. Mountain West schools started calling, and while Gra- ham hoped for bigger offers, he commit- ted to Boise State between his junior and senior year. He'd always wanted to go to UCLA, he admitted, but when Michigan called, he knew he had to listen. A visit to Ann Arbor convinced him that Michigan was where he was supposed to be. Others tried to get involved, including USC, but he stuck with the Wolverines. He's obviously glad he did. "I'm just happy where I am now," he proclaimed. ❑ Ready To Run It Back In a year, Mason Graham will likely be off to the NFL as a first-round draft pick, a national champion, and whatever other accolades he earns teamwise and individually in 2024. He was so good that had he been able to declare as a sophomore, Pro Football Focus analyst Max Chadwick said, he could have been the first defensive tackle selected in this year's draft, an unbelievable feat for a 20-year-old who is still improving and getting stronger. Not surprisingly, Graham's was a popular name among agents and recruiters from other schools try- ing to backchannel and steal him away from the Wolverines. There were reports some schools might offer "seven figures" to convince him, but his loyalty — and efforts from the Michigan collectives and coaches to get him what he's worth — helped keep him on the roster heading into spring ball. There's another portal opening to come at the end of April, and it's likely the vultures will circle back. Graham, though, is mostly focused on what he can do to improve during spring ball. "I'm pretty confident, just trusting the process, trusting Coach [Sherrone] Moore," he said. "Every- thing he is bringing to the program and all these good coaches … I've had a chance to meet with them and have been building relationships. I'm looking forward to spring ball and practice with the new coaching staff to see how we work together. "With the [other offers], I try not to think about that. I'm just blocking out all the noise, listening to peo- ple who truly care about me in my real circle — family, close friends. I lean on them in times like these." Although there's been a lot of turnover, Graham is confident in the team leadership and the new staff and believes U-M will be just as effective defensively in 2024 as it was a year ago, when it dominated the schedule on the way to a 15-0 season. The Wolverines have been doing many of the same things in the weight room, similar offseason drills, etc., and continue to bond. "I feel like we haven't really changed anything we've done or have been doing. We're all doing the same stuff, even the weight room," he said. "Coach [Justin] Tress is doing all the same stuff [former strength coach Ben Herbert] was doing. It's an 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it' mentality. It's stay on pace and keep a one-track mind, like Coach [Jim] Harbaugh used to say, sticking to what we know." Spring ball will tell them a lot, but they're on the right track, Graham insisted. He's excited with his new role as a leader. "I just feel like the defense could be better if not the same as it was last year," he said. "I think we're on a good track. I haven't seen any complacency, and I think we can repeat everything we did last year and more. Obviously, it's Team 145, no more 144, so we're going to have to do things differently. But I think it's going to be a good season, for sure." One he's excited to get started in his next chapter on the way to becoming a Michigan legend … if he's not there already. — Chris Balas