Graham Named Finalist for Ted Hendricks Trophy
What are his chances?
One of the nation's top defensive players, University of Michigan football senior Brandon Graham (Detroit, Mich./Crockett Technical HS) has been named one of seven finalists for the 2009 Ted Hendricks Award as the nation's foremost defensive end.
Graham leads the nation in tackles for loss (26) and is 15th with 10.5 sacks. An All-Big Ten first team selection, he posted career highs in tackles (64) and TFLs (26) while contributing two forced fumbles, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery. Graham also blocked two punts and returned another for a touchdown. He posted at least one sack in seven of the final eight games and collected at least one TFL in 11 of the 12 contests. A preseason All-American, he is the only player in the nation to rank in the top five in TFLs two straight seasons (first in 2009 and second in 2008).
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:43 PM ^
There was a lot of consensus that he was a beast. Particularly, as long as this isn't a popularity contest for players from a top 10 rated school this year, Graham should get it.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:53 PM ^
Graham had an outstanding year, despite the constant double teams and playing on a bad defense.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:00 PM ^
It might have been Dunlap's to lose but I think he lost it.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:01 PM ^
I think he'll place highly, and he certainly has the advantage of leading the nation in TFLs and being a top-15 sack artist despite playing on a bad D. Plus, Woodley won it a few years ago. He deserves all of the accolades he receives this year.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:04 PM ^
he could have at least got like 1 or 2 sack(s) in each of those first three games, getting none for so long hurt a bit. That might have pushed up his numbers enough to be seen as an elite run stuffer and pass rusher. I'm going to miss BG but I definitely wish him all the best in the NFL.
I wish the combine was open to the public. I live in Indy and am like 25-30 min away from where they hold it. I would like to see how Brandon does along with some of the other prospects. I'd be able to view it without all the analysis from "Neon" Deon. I had enough of him last year when he was bragging about how like 80% of the fastest players at the combine annually are from the defensive secondary. That's a wonderful nugget of information, can I have some more?
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:26 PM ^
There's always the mute button.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:35 PM ^
So if Zoltan is the Emperor of space, what is Brandon Graham the emperor of?..........Quaterbacks?
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:26 PM ^
are graham and woodley the best two ends of the modern (Bo+) era?
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:16 PM ^
he deserves it hes a beast