Graham Recognized as Finalist for Outland Trophy
11/26/2024 12:00:00 PM | Football
OMAHA, Neb. -- The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) has recognized defensive lineman Mason Graham of the University of Michigan football program as a finalist for the Outland Trophy given to college football's best interior lineman it was announced Tuesday (Nov. 26). Fellow finalists include Kelvin Banks Jr. (offensive line) of Texas and Walter Nolen (defensive line) of Mississippi.
Graham is the program's first finalist for the Outland Trophy since Olusegun Oluwatimi became the program's first-ever winner in 2022. Graham is the sixth player in program history to be named a finalist and the first defensive lineman.
A second-team All-American in 2023, Graham has enjoyed another productive season this fall. He is fifth on the team and first among defensive linemen with 38 tackles. Graham has 7.0 tackles for loss, the second-highest total on the U-M roster, and has also set a new career-high with 3.5 sacks, all of which have come in Big Ten play. Graham has one pass breakup and one blocked field goal try as well.
Besides the box score, he is credited with the second-most pressures (32 sacks, hits, hurries) among interior defensive linemen across the FBS. He is rated by Pro Football Focus (PFF) as the second-highest graded run defender (91.9) among all interior defensive linemen.
The 2024 Outland Trophy winner will be announced on Thursday (Dec. 12) during the College Football Awards Show on ESPN.
