Nagurski Trophy Tabs Graham as Finalist
11/22/2024 11:00:00 AM | Football
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Touchdown Club and Football Writers Association of America have selected defensive lineman Mason Graham of the University of Michigan Football program as one of four finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented to the nation's top collegiate defensive player.
Graham is the first U-M player to be a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy since Devin Bush (2018) and the fifth overall. Charles Woodson (1997) is the program's lone winner. Graham is the first U-M defensive lineman to be up for the honor.
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 36 tackles. Graham has seven tackles for loss, the second-highest total on the U-M roster, and has 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.
In addition to his traditional statistics, Graham 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 as the second-highest graded run defender (90.9) among all interior defensive linemen.
The winner of the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be announced on Monday, Dec. 9, during a ceremony in Charlotte. The other three finalists are Texas' Jahdae Barron, South Carolina's Kyle Kennard, and Penn State's Abdul Carter.
