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NFL-bound Michigan DT Mason Graham grateful for 'slapping Ohio State around not once, not twice, but three straight years'

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•12/14/24•

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Mason Graham
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Michigan Wolverines football junior defensive tackle Mason Graham made it official by releasing a statement with his official 2025 NFL Draft declaration. ESPN reported earlier in the week that he was going to forgo his final season of eligibility and declare for the draft.

In his note thanking the Michigan program and fans, he made sure to mention the Wolverines’ dominance against arch rival Ohio State.

“It has truly been an honor and a dream come true to represent the University of Michigan the past three years, winning two Big Ten championships, the Rose Bowl, the 2024 national championship, and of course, slapping Ohio State around not once, not twice but three straight years,” Graham wrote on social media.

Graham finished his three-year Michigan career with a 3-0 record against the Buckeyes. In fact, the 6-foot-3, 320-pounder was also 3-0 against in-state foe Michigan State, 2-0 against Minnesota and 1-0 versus Northwestern, making him undefeated in all rivalry and trophy games.

The Servite (Calif.) High product was integral in Michigan’s victories over Ohio State, including in the 13-10 win in Columbus Nov. 30. He posted 7 tackles, including 5 solo stops. Here were the Ohio State gains on his tackles: 0, 1, 2, 2, 1, 3, 0.

In the 30-24 win over the Buckeyes at The Big House — one of the biggest games in college football history — Graham was a key part of the play that sealed Michigan’s victory. He and EDGE Jaylen Harrell ran a twist that saw Harrell run over left guard Donovan Jackson, pressure quarterback Kyle McCord and force a poor throw that was intercepted by safety Rod Moore. He added a sack and 2 tackles in the game.

In 2022, Graham was a backup but rotated in quite a bit. He made 3 stops in a 45-23 victory in Columbus, Michigan’s first at Ohio Stadium since 2000.

Graham and his 2022 recruiting class started their careers 29-1 in their first two seasons. He leaves Ann Arbor with a 36-6 mark.

Graham appeared in 39 games at Michigan with 27 starts at defensive tackle. He was an All-American last year and is a two-time All-Big Ten selection, earning first-team honors this year from both the coaches and media.

Here’s Graham’s full statement:

“First and foremost, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to succeed on and off the field.

“To my family, thank you for being my biggest supporters and for being there every step of the way.

“To [former Michigan head] Coach [Jim] Harbaugh and [head] Coach [Sherrone] Moore, thank you for believing in and bringing me to Ann Arbor. Michigan put me in the best position to succeed on and off the field.

“To my teammates, coaches, the athletic and academic staffs, the fans and the University of Michigan, thank you for all the memories. They will last a lifetime and will never be forgotten.

“It has truly been an honor and a dream come true to represent the University of Michigan the past three years, winning two Big Ten championships, the Rose Bowl, the 2024 national championship, and of course, slapping Ohio State around not once, not twice but three straight years.

“Now it is time to start a new journey by officially declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft. Forever #GOBLUE.”

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