WOLVERINES
Michigan All-American DT Mason Graham opts out of bowl game, declares for NFL draft
Portrait of Tony GarciaTony Garcia
Detroit Free Press

Michigan football All-American defensive tackle Mason Graham has decided to sit out the Wolverines’ upcoming bowl game, forego his senior year of eligibility and declare for the 2025 NFL draft, his agent Ryan Matha confirmed Tuesday.

“Yes Mason has declared and will sit out of the bowl game,” Matha said in a text message. “Mason is one of the truly elite prospects available in this year’s draft.”

A 6-foot-3, 320-pound interior lineman form Mission Viejo, Calif. (Servite High School), Graham entered college and immediately burst onto the scene when then-coach Jim Harbaugh referred to a pair of “gifts from the football Gods” who he felt would be among the best players to ever play for Michigan.

One of those young men was Graham, and he lived up to the billing. A second-team All-American as a sophomore, Graham was named unanimous first-team All-Big Ten this season, finishing a disappointing 7-5 season with 45 tackles, seven for a loss, 3½ sacks and a pass deflection.

“He will be a foundational player for whichever team is fortunate enough to draft him,” Matha texted.

Graham finished his U-M career with a 35-6 record, two Big Ten Championships, two CFP berths, a Rose Bowl win (where he was defensive MVP), a national championship and a 3-0 record against both Michigan State and Ohio State. He appeared in 39 games with 27 starts, dating back to a freshman season where he earned starts in base packages.