Brandon Graham, OLB

Graham is primed to likely make the transition from down lineman at Michigan to a stand-up linebacker role in the NFL. He's willing to do whatever it takes to earn playing time as proven when, as a freshman, he volunteered to slide inside to play defensive tackle when that position was thinned by injuries.

He also volunteered to join the kick coverage unit as a senior, trying to add to his resume for NFL teams. All he did was block two punts and recover another one for a touchdown in 2009.

There are not too many 6-foot-1 defensive ends making regular visits to the Pro Bowl in the NFL. He sees the success that a former Wolverine has had since moving to linebacker -- LaMarr Woodley, a standout linebacker who replaced another former college defensive end in Pittsburgh's lineup, Joey Porter. Woodley has posted 25 sacks during his last two seasons.

Graham could also point to Elvis Dumervil, a college defensive end from Louisville, who had a breakout season for the Broncos in 2009. Dumervill led the NFL in sacks (17) once he made the move, but was previously considered nothing more than a journeyman defensive end earlier in his pro career.

"I look at myself as the next one," Graham said of Dumervil. "He's 6-1, he's small. A lot of people didn't think he could do it. I believe whoever gets me is going to love me."

Graham said his transition to linebacker should be smooth; he played that position in high school. Even if he remains at defensive end, he shouldn't be underestimated. Michigan running back Brandon Minor compares his teammate to a certain Colts defensive end who measures exactly the same: 6-1, 268. "He'll be like a faster Dwight Freeney."

At a school with a tremendous history for producing elite talent, Graham was the first Michigan defensive player to ever be voted Most Valuable Player twice (2008, 2009). The previous two-time MVPs are running back Mike Hart (2006, '07), wide receiver Anthony Carter (1980, '82), running back Ron Johnson (1968, '69), running back Tom Harmon (1939, '40) and guard Ralph Heikkinen (1937, '38).

In recognition of his stellar performance during a sluggish 5-7 season by the Wolverines, he shared 2009 Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Big Ten Conference's Most Valuable Player with Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark.

Graham closed out his career ranked second in school history in forced fumbles (8), evident that he not only gets to the quarterback or running back, but makes things happen when he does. His 29.5 quarterback sacks and 56.0 tackles behind the line of scrimmage also rank second in school annals. In 46 games at Michigan, 40.56 percent of his tackles were behind the line of scrimmage.

Graham attended Crockett Vocation Technical High School, where he led the school to its first Detroit Public School League title as a junior and a semifinal appearance in the Division IV playoffs. The four-year starter earned Parade, EA Sports and USA Today All-American first-team honors as a senior. He was rated the 14th-best player in the nation by USA Today and Prep Football Report. He was selected Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year and was a member of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's National Top 25 squad.

The Detroit News rated Graham the state's best blue chip prospect in 2005, as the Detroit Free Press rated him second in the Midwest region. He received a five-star prospect rating from Prep Football Report and Rivals.com, while Prep Star ranked him third among the nation's linebackers. He also earned Detroit News first-team All-Metro and first-team Class B All-State honors as a junior.

Graham recorded 307 tackles, including 112 for loss and 56 sacks during his career. He also collected 16 fumble recoveries, forced six more and grabbed two interceptions in four years at Crockett. He averaged more than 40 yards per attempt as a punter. Even though he was limited to seven games of action as a senior due to injury, he totaled 98 tackles, 47 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, two interceptions and forced six fumbles.

As a junior, Graham posted 20 sacks and 10 fumble recoveries. He became the first player from the state of Michigan to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Elected captain of the East squad for the U.S. Army game, he collected four tackles and one blocked field goal. In addition to football, Graham participated in basketball while also throwing the shot put in track, logging a career-best toss of 50-0. He also ran a 10.9 in the 100 meters along with a 23.5 in the 200.

Graham appeared in 10 games during the 2005 season for Michigan. He saw time at defensive end vs. Vanderbilt, but then moved inside to shore up depth issues at tackle and nose guard. He finished the year with just three tackles, but assisted on a sack and caused one fumble.

As a sophomore, Graham played in 13 games, starting five contests at right defensive end. His three forced fumbles that season tied for fourth on the school season-record list. He collected 25 tackles (13 solo), as a part-time starter and led the team and ranked seventh in the Big Ten Conference with 8.5 sacks. He also came up with two fumble recoveries, earning a spot on the Ted Hendricks Award Watch List (nation's top defensive end).

In 2008, Graham took over left defensive end duties, starting 11 games. The All-American honorable mention and All-Big Ten second-team pick was bothered at midseason by a leg infection, but still went on to rank second in the conference and 11th in the nation with 10 sacks, the eighth-best total in team annals. He led the league and finished second nationally with 20 stops behind the line of scrimmage, as he produced 46 tackles (29 solo) and caused two fumbles.

As a senior, Graham was an All-American and All-Big Ten selection, in addition to being a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award. He registered 10.5 sacks with 64 tackles (42 solo) and caused two fumbles. He blocked two punts and returned another blocked kick for a touchdown. He also led the NCAA with 26.0 stops for loss, tying for second on the school season-record chart.

Pass rush: Relentless rusher able to pressure the quarterback lining up on the strong or weak side. Lines up at five-technique in some passing situations. Uses his strength, balance and lack of height to get under shoulder pads of tackle. Strong, violent hands to beat his man straight-out or disengage. Lacks a consistent counter move. Has an inside spin move but rarely shows it. Despite his stout build, Graham drops into zone coverage easily and shows some fluidity in space. Backpedal is slow, as expected, but he will still get a shot as a linebacker for a 3-4 team. Lines up wide so he can turn the corner against slower tackles, will struggle to do so against NFL tackles.

Run defense: Can punch the tackle to disengage or maintain the angle to force the action inside when run plays are coming his way. Occasionally gets skinny to penetrate on inside runs. Stays home to contain, watch for bootlegs and stop reverses. Must be more consistent using his hands to defeat cut blocks, although he can still make the tackle after a cut as he recovers fairly well. Has a good motor, works hard to get down the line on runs away from him. Lacks elite speed to chase down NFL backs consistently.

Explosion: Good first step off the ball and pounds his man's jersey on contact when in pure pass-rush mode. Has some pop off the snap when looking for the run, and is able to stand his ground against much bigger linemen. Brings full effort from the first quarter to the fourth, and smells weakness in his opponent. Closes quickly and explodes into the quarterback on a sack.

Strength: Capable of using his lack of height to his advantage, maintaining leverage to hold his ground on the edge. Stacks the tight end and disrupts plays when one-on-one. Can be engulfed by bigger tackles, losing sight of the ball.

Tackling: Above-average arm length allows him to disengage and wrap on running plays to his side, as well as chase down ballcarriers from behind. Does not meet his feet going through trash, making it hard for him to make the tackle when crashing down inside. Stays square and low in space, breaking down to tackle the ballcarrier.

Intangibles: Stepped up his role as a senior from leading by example and becoming a vocal leader who encourages and gets after teammates. Missed two games in 2008 with leg infection. Charged with disorderly conduct in July 2008 for playing music too loud, and failed to show up for trial. Charges were eventually dismissed, and a bench warrant was terminated.

Graham played in 46 games at Michigan, starting 28 times -- 23 at left defensive end and five at right end … Recorded 138 tackles (85 solo) with 29.5 sacks for minus 219 yards, 56.0 stops for losses of 282 yards and three quarterback pressures … Caused eight fumbles and recovered three others … Blocked two punts and returned another blocked kick for a 2-yard touchdown … Also deflected three passes … His eight forced fumbles rank second in school history behind LaMarr Woodley (10, 2003-06) … Ranks second in school annals with 29.5 sacks, topped by Mark Messner (36.0, 1985-88) … Only Messner (273) and Woodley (224) generated more lost yardage from sacks than Graham's 219 … Ranks seventh on the U-M season-record list with 10.5 sacks in 2009 and placed eighth with ten sacks in 2008 … His minus 98 yards via sacks in 2009 rank third on the Wolverine annual record chart … His 3.5 sacks vs. Notre Dame in 2007 rank behind Messner (five vs. Northwestern in 1987) on the Michigan game-record list … Graham's 56.0 tackles for loss rank Second in U-M history behind Messner (70.0) and his 282 yards generated from those stops are surpassed by only Messner's 376 and Woodley's 286 in school annals … His 26.0 tackles for loss in 2009 tied Anthony Spencer of Purdue (2006) sixth on the Big Ten Conference season chart and placed second in Wolverine history behind Shawn Crable's 28.5 in 2007 … His tackle for lost yardage total of 127 in 2009 ranks behind Woodley's 131 in 2006 among Michigan players in a season … His five tackles for loss vs. Ohio State in 2009 tied for fifth on the school game-record list … His three forced fumbles in 2007 tied for fourth on U-M's annual record chart.

All-American first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report and Rivals.com, earning second-team honors from the Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, College Football News and the Walter Camp Foundation … All-Big Ten Conference first-team pick … The team captain was voted Bo Schembechler Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year, the first time a defensive player received that award more than once in a career … Co-winner of the Chicago Tribune Silver Football with Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark … Ted Hendricks Award finalist (nation's top defensive end) … Lombardi, Chuck Bednarik, Bronko Nagurski and Ronnie Lott Award candidate … Started all twelve games at left defensive end and contributed on the punt return unit in every game, blocking two attempts while recovering another that he advanced two yards for a touchdown … Recorded a career-best 64 tackles (42 solo) as he ranked fourth in the Big Ten and 14th in the nation with a team-high 10.5 sacks for minus-98 yards … His 10.5 sacks rank seventh on the school season-record list and his yards-lost total rank third … Led the NCAA with 26.0 stops (second-best in U-M annals) for losses of 127 yards (also second on the school annual record chart) … Had one quarterback pressure and two pass breakups …

Recovered one fumble and caused two others … Even though the team finished 91st in the nation in run defense (171.92 yards per game), Graham made 40.63 percent of his tackles behind the line of scrimmage … Made 65 plays vs. the ground game, holding ballcarriers to 30 yards (0.46 yards per carry), stopping nine runners at the line of scrimmage for no gain, as he made eight third-down stops and had 23 tackles inside the red zone, including eight on goal-line plays.

All-American third-team choice by The NFL Draft Report, earning honorable mention from Sports Illustrated … Voted by his teammates as the Bo Schembechler Team MVP … All-Big Ten Conference second-team selection by the league's coaches and media … Started eleven games at left defensive end, as a midseason leg infection forced him to sit out vs. Toledo … Recorded 46 tackles (29 solo) with 10 sacks for minus-64 yards, ranking second in the Big Ten and 11th nationally in that category … His ten sacks rank eighth on the school season-record list and his lost yardage rank 12th … Finished second in the NCAA while leading the team and conference with 20 stops for losses of 97 yards … His tackles for loss tied for seventh in school annals and his lost yardage rank 10th … Also caused a pair of fumbles … 43.48% of his tackles came behind the line of scrimmage, the most of any player in college football during the season.

Ted Hendricks Trophy candidate … Played in all thirteen contests, starting at right defensive end vs. Eastern Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Notre Dame and Penn State … Despite just five starting assignments, Graham's 8.5 sacks for minus 54 yards led the team and ranked seventh in the Big Ten Conference … Produced 25 tackles (13 solo) with 9.5 stops for losses of 55 yards … His three forced fumbles tied for fourth on the school season-record chart … Recovered two fumbles and deflected a pass … 38% of his tackles came from behind the line of scrimmage.

Played in 11 games, lining up at defensive end vs. Vanderbilt before shifting inside to defensive tackle … Finished with three tackles, assisting on a sack while causing a fumble vs. Indiana.

2008: A lingering midseason leg infection eventually forced Graham to sit out the Toledo game (10/15).

Campus: 4.71 in the 40-yard dash … 1.61 10-yard dash … 2.72 20-yard dash … 4.63 20-yard shuttle … 7.21 three-cone drill … 32-inch vertical jump … 9'6" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 31 times … 32 1/4-inch arm length … 9 7/8-inch hands.

Graham was charged with disorderly conduct in July 2008 for playing music too loud and failed to show up for trial. Charges were eventually dismissed, and a bench warrant was terminated.

Attended Crockett Vocation Technical (Detroit, Mich.) High School, playing football for head coach Ron Oden … Led the school to its first Detroit Public School League title as a junior and a semi-final appearance in the Division IV playoffs … The four-year starter earned Parade, EA Sports and USA Today All-American first-team honors as a senior …

Rated the 14th-best player in the nation by USA Today and Prep Football Report … Was selected Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year and was a member of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's National Top 25 squad … The Detroit News rated Graham the state's best blue chip prospect in 2005, as the Detroit Free Press rated him second in the Midwest region … Received a five-star prospect rating from Prep Football Report and Rivals.com, while Prep Star ranked him third among the nation's linebackers … Also earned Detroit News first-team All-Metro and first-team Class B All-State honors as a junior … Recorded 307 tackles, including 112 for loss and 56 sacks during his career … Collected 16 fumble recoveries, forced six more and grabbed two interceptions in four years at Crockett …

Averaged more than 40 yards per attempt as a punter … Even though he was limited to seven games of action as a senior due to injury, he totaled 98 tackles, 47 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, two interceptions and forced six fumbles … As a junior, Graham posted 20 sacks and 10 fumble recoveries … Became the first player from the state of Michigan to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl … Elected captain of the East squad for the U.S. Army game, he collected four tackles and one blocked field goal … Lettered in basketball while also throwing the shot put in track, logging a career-best toss of 50-0 … Also ran a 10.9 in the 100 meters along with a 23.5 in the 200.

General Studies major, enrolled in the Division of Kinesiology … Born Brandon Lee Graham on 4/03/88 in Detroit, Michigan.