Mason Graham becomes first Michigan DT to earn unanimous All-America honors since Mark Messner in 1988
Michigan Wolverines football has had at least one unanimous All-American each of the last four seasons — defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (2021), running back Blake Corum (2022), center Olusegun Oluwatimi (2022) and offensive guard Zak Zinter (2023) and now defensive tackle Mason Graham in 2024.
It’s the first time since 1988-91 that U-M has gone four-straight years with unanimous All-Americans, but defensive back Tripp Welbourne was named one in two consecutive seasons (1989-90). This is the first time ever the Maize and Blue have had four or more different unanimous All-Americans in a four-year stretch.
A unanimous All-American is named to the first team by all five NCAA-recognized outlets: Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of American, The Sporting News and Walter Camp.
Graham is Michigan’s first defensive tackle to be tabbed as a unanimous All-American since Mark Messner in 1988. He’s the Wolverines’ 27th-ever unanimous All-American at any position.
The Anaheim, Calif., native is Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore’s first unanimous All-American. The Wolverines had five in the Jim Harbaugh era (2015-23): Zinter (2023), Corum (2022), Oluwatimi (2022), Hutchinson (2021) and linebacker Jabrill Peppers (2016).
Michigan had only three unanimous All-Americans for most of the 21st century. From 2001-15, only wide receiver Braylon Edwards (2004), defensive end LaMarr Woodley (2006) and offensive tackle Jake Long (2007) earned the honor.
The 6-foot-3, 320-pound Graham declared for the NFL Draft, where he’s a projected first-round selection.
The Michigan standout totaled 45 tackles, including 7 for loss and 3.5 sacks, along with 1 pass breakup this season. His 33 quarterback pressures are tied for the fourth most among all defensive tackles nationally.
Graham appeared in 39 games with 27 starts during his three-year career at Michigan. He totaled 107 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 3 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery.
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All told, five different Michigan players earned All-America honors. Junior kicker Dominic Zvada was the other to be named first team by one publication (Sporting News). The Associated Press tabbed the kicker as a second-team honoree.
Zvada went 17-of-18 on field goals, including posting a 7-of-7 mark on tries of 50-plus yards, which set a program record for both a single season and a career.
Junior cornerback Will Johnson was recognized as a second-team honoree by the AFCA and Walter Camp, while the AP listed him on the third team. Johnson was limited to just six games due to injury, but recorded 14 tackles, 3 pass breakups and 2 interceptions that were returned for touchdowns.
Junior tight end Colston Loveland was the team’s leading receiver with 56 grabs for 582 yards and 5 touchdowns. He earned second-team recognition from the FWCA.
Finally, Michigan junior defensive tackle Kenneth Grant — Graham’s partner in crime — was listed as a third-team All-American by the AP. The 6-foot-3, 339-pounder registered 32 tackles, 6.5 stops for loss and 3 sacks with 5 pass breakups.
Here’s a look at Michigan’s All-Americans:
• DT Mason Graham: First team (Walter Camp, FWAA, AP, Sporting News, AFCA)
• K Dominic Zvada: First team (Sporting News), second team (AP)
• CB Will Johnson: Second team (Walter Camp, AFCA), third team (AP)
• TE Colston Loveland: Second team (FWCA)
• DT Kenneth Grant: Third team (AP)
