Michigan DT Mason Graham becoming 'more dominant,' expanding arsenal of moves
Michigan Wolverines football freshman defensive tackle Mason Graham one of the top “surprises” of the season. But for those who were watching back during the Wolverines’ April 2 spring game, what Graham is doing is not all that surprising.
It’s still impressive that the 19-year-old has translated what he did back then to the game field, but he’s done it. The Californian is a starter in Michigan’s base defense and has totaled 9 tackles, including 2.5 sacks.
He’s fresh off his best game, too, recording 3 tackles, including a sack, with his two other stops resulting in no gain and a 1-yard gain, and adding a quarterback hurry in a 34-3 triumph over Nebraska.
“Probably that game and Iowa,” Graham said when asked if that was his best performance of the season. “I just felt like I was more dominant this past game, though, more in the run game than against Iowa.”
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Graham had 4 tackles, including a sack for a loss of 9 yards, Oct. 1 against Iowa.
This past Saturday wasn’t just one of his most productive afternoons, it was also an opportunity to showcase his expanded arsenal. Graham has a great bull rush — he’s a former wrestler, which is apparent when watching him play — but he used a nifty swim move to get off a block and make his sack against the Cornhuskers.
“I just feel like I’m switching up my moves a little bit because other teams know what I’m going to do,” Graham said. “Gotta work on those moves sometimes.”
It’s just one of many areas that Graham has improved in throughout the season. He also feels he’s “more dominant” in the run game and “developed” his pass rush skills.
“Obviously, trying more moves than just the bull rush,” he added with a smile.
Snow was falling pregame and in the first half of Michigan’s game against Nebraska at The Big House. The projected forecasts for this weekend’s contest against Illinois and the following week’s showdown at Ohio State include cold temperatures and the chance for snow. An Anaheim, Calif., native, Graham is still getting used to it. But as has come to be expected from the freshman, he’s getting acclimated quickly.
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“It was definitely an experience for me last game with the snow coming down,” Graham said. “It was pretty cool, too. I had that coat on the sideline, so that was pretty cool.”
Michigan hasn’t played very many highly-touted offenses this season, but the Wolverines will face a challenge with the Illini heading to town. They rank 40th nationally with 183.6 yards per game, with back Chase Brown, the nation’s leading rusher, running behind what is considered an elite offensive line.
“They’re a physical group,” Graham said. “I know they’re one of the teams in the Joe Moore semifinalists, so it’ll be a big challenge [against] big, physical dudes.”
The competition the next week against Illinois, a Big Ten West contender, and Ohio State, the No. 2 team in the country, is quite the step up from Michigan State, Rutgers and Nebraska. But Graham and the Wolverines are looking forward to the tasks ahead.
“We always look for that challenge,” Graham explained. “We want our defense to get challenge. People say we haven’t been challenged yet, so we want to make a statement to everyone saying that we can’t.”
