Mason Graham: "I'm A Dominant Player"
Michigan defensive tackle addressed the assembled media in Indianapolis to discuss the latest media rumors and why he's a dominant player in this year's NFL Draft.
COMBINE Q&A: MASON GRAHAM, DT, MICHIGAN
While Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham decided to opt out of the combine, he met with the national media in Indy, covering a wide range of topics such as whether he believes he’ll go inside the top 10, the legacy left behind at Michigan, what he brings to the next level and much more. For an in-depth scouting report on Mason and 500+ additional prospects, be sure to take advantage of our current sale and save on the Official 2025 NFL Draft Bible.
Can you talk about the way you and Kenneth Grant work together so well?
I feel like the combination, he's a bigger dude. Obviously, he plays zero technique and probably three techniques but we're both very athletic players and I feel like we work well off each other. Having two big guys that are dominating inside, I feel like we help each other and he's an awesome player.
After Michigan left Ohio State stadium with a win, did you feel the Buckeyes could go on to win the championship?
I mean, I knew they were probably one of the better teams. It hurts me to say that but I knew they were one of the better teams and had a shot if they got in there.
What’s the biggest green flag for you when meeting with NFL teams?
Just how hard I work, no off the field stuff, all about business. No one's really concerned about that but I'm not a mysterious guy. You don't need to look deep into me to find out about me. Everything's out there. Nothing to hide.
Did you consider the Ohio State game your best game personally in your career?
Career, yeah. I'd probably consider that one or, you know, I broke my thumb my sophomore year and I missed two weeks and came back and played Minnesota my sophomore year, I thought that was also one of my better games.
Did you meet with the Saints?
No, I meet with them tonight.
Did you met with the Jaguars?
Yeah, I've met with the Jaguars, you know, great organization. Obviously new staff, new GM, so good meeting those guys. I thought the meeting went well.
What's your relationship like with coach Kevin Wilkins?
Yeah, it was cool with him. You know, he coached our edges last year but, you know, was really involved with just the D-line in general. So, you know, I actually ran into him, you know, the other day, and we just caught up and chalked it up for 20 minutes, so it was pretty cool.
Did you meet with Mike Vrabel of the Patriots?
Yeah, I met with Coach Vrabel and the Patriots on, I think it was yesterday, so I feel like that went pretty well. Actually, I met with him on Monday. It all went really well, great people, great organization.
What would make a successful second season in post-Harbaugh Michigan?
You know, just getting back to that standard, get back in the playoffs. Obviously, we had a down year this past year, lost our whole coaching staff, lost like 15 guys to the NFL. I mean, when you have success, a lot of things don't go your way maybe but didn't have the season that we expected or wanted. But things happen, I expect them to bounce back and have a good year.
What do you think is the best part of your game?
I just feel like, you know, physicality, you know, doing your job every play. You know, us as D-linemen, we're told to do the same thing playing throughout, you know, maybe like 70 snaps a game. So, I mean, do the same thing over and over again is probably the hardest part and I feel like, you know, D-linemen, I pride myself on doing that.
Why are you good at it?
You know, I feel like I've put in a lot of hard work. I've been coached really well. All throughout high school and college, put in the extra time, put in the extra work, try to perfect and do the best player I could for my teammates.
How would you rate your ability to rush the passer?
I rate it pretty high. I pride myself on playing the run and the pass because I feel like that's what a complete D-lineman does. But obviously rushing the passer, I feel like I'm really good at too. I can run through guys or I can be a finesse guy too at the same time.
Did you meet with the Raiders?
Yeah, I met with the Raiders, they're a great organization as well. Pete Carroll is a cool guy, a player's coach, so it was good to meet with them.
Who's the best offensive lineman you ran against this year?
People always ask that question. I don't really know but I'd say one of the Texas guards or probably one of the Texas guards.
What are the team interviews like?
I think all in all, they were just asking me about me, what makes me, me. You know, what makes me, me. It was just a fluent conversation, getting to know each other.
What about your effectiveness run and pass?
Yeah, I feel like I affect every snap, run or pass. I feel like I'm a dominant player, one of the most dominant players in this class.
Can you talk more about your meeting with Vrabel? He can be intense.
I heard that going into our meeting too but I thought he was a cool guy. We were just talking, having a good conversation.
Do you think you’ll be picked in the top 10?
I don't know, I mean, whenever I get that call, I'll know who I'm going to.
Did you meet with the Steelers?
No, I've not met them.
Are you going to? Do you know?
I don't believe so.
Can you discuss you lateral quickness?
Probably just my everyday drills, footwork drills going into the week. Especially at Michigan, we moved a decent amount. I was kind of, part of our, a lot of our game plan. So, you know, I took the time and, you know, invest into that with my coaches and doing stuff by myself too, to, you know, I knew I was going to be doing that a lot. So try to perfect that as best I could.
Can you name one play last season that kind of summarizes you?
I mean, I feel like just rolling out Ohio State film, you know, that's all you need to see really.
Did you meet with the Browns?
I meet with them today.
Did you meet with the Panthers?
Yeah, I've met with them.
Did you consider continuing your wrestling career at Michigan?
Nah, I mean, I never considered that, you know, I really started in my freshman year of high school. It was more of just like a, you know, hobby to me, like out of season, you know, I heard one of my high school coaches actually recommended to me to do it. So, you know, it wasn't something that I was like, I was like dying to do but I feel like it was good for me in the long run. You know, I didn't really have much technique but I just kind of went out there. I tried to, you know, beat the other person as best I could.
How did that background make you a better D-lineman?
I feel like it helps a lot, you know. Going into it, I didn't know, you know, I was, you know, skeptical of, like, doing wrestling because just all the stuff that goes with it. But I feel like it's helped a lot with, like, my leverage, you know. Just feeling out, you know, O-linemen, you know, you're wrestling another guy. You guys are getting tangled up, and that's kind of how the O-line and D-line works.
Any memories of doing anything crazy to cut weight?
Not really, just hard practices.
What was the mentality of Michigan going into that Ohio State game?
I mean, we knew we were the underdogs but in our minds, you know, we could play with any team. Obviously, we didn't have the year, but, you know, every time we played those guys, we were going to bring our A-game.
Who are your top five defensive tackles?
I like Jalen Carter, Kenny Clark, Chris Jones, Kobe Turner, Javon Hargrave.
A lot has been made about Will Johnson and his 40 times. Why should he be a top 10 pick?
I mean, I feel like you can just watch his tape. You know, he's gone against some of the best receivers, you know, played at the highest level, you know, did really well against all those receivers, plays fast on tape, really good player. I think he should go high up there.
So, what makes you, you?
Just the way, you know, where I grew up, you know, how my upbringing was, you know, why I chose Michigan, you know, being a West Coast guy, just that type of stuff.
How did NIL transform Michigan?
Yeah, I feel like they really stepped it up. You know, I saw the other schools, you know, really, you know, excelling more than, you know, they would like to. But, you know, I feel like they kind of stepped it up, you know, in these recent years. Obviously, a lot of us took a lot of, you know, less money and we had a lot more offers but it was really about Michigan for us.
Your game day style, would you describe it more as comfortable or making a statement?
Uh. Probably more comfortable, you know, I like being comfortable out there. I don't wear, you know, like under my pads, I don't wear a bunch of sleeves, I don't wear a bunch of stuff, you know, just play loose and how I've always played.
What about your pre-game fit?
I mean, at Michigan, we just wore our jumpsuits. So I know some schools dress up in like suits and stuff but we didn't do that. We just, you know, kind of wore Michigan gear, stuff like that. But we'll see what happens.
Do you want to bring something new to the NFL?
I mean, we'll see. I mean, depending on what team, you know, some some people I see and some pretty nice fits. So we'll see what happens.
Some reports are that you may not test well in this environment when you go on the field here. I don't know if it's true or not but do you think you're overlooked because of speed, quickness, measurements, things like that?
Oh, no, I think I'm, you know, pretty athletic. I don't know really where that kind of came from but I feel like I'm one of the most athletic guys here. I feel like I kind of proved that and you can see it on my tape.
When you reflect back on winning the national championship, what's your lasting memory?
You know, just, you know, all those older guys that, you know, kind of led that journey with us. Guys like Mikey Sanristill, you know, he's doing great things now. Guys like Chris Jenkins, Junior Colson, Mike B, you know, those type of guys, you know, our true Michigan guys. You know, this past year we didn't have much older guys as we used to. You know, we were the three-year guys, you know, we're the veterans of the team. So, that was kind of a good change but, you know, just seeing how, you know, those guys work. Like, guys like Mikey, you know, I mean, I just miss playing with those guys, you know, they're great teammates and great people.
If you had to name an all-time Michigan D-line, not including yourself, who would it be?
Lamar Woodley, Brandon Graham, I'd put Rashaan Gary in there, Cody Peck.
Any friendly wagers with Michigan teammates on who does best in testing, etc?
Nah, we’re all just here to compete.
What was some of the previous stuff that you saw Kenneth Grant do athletically with him being 340 pounds?
I just feel like, you know, every day in practice, you know, us competing with each other, you know, trying to, you know, one-up each other in practice, you know, who can do the best stuff, who's knocking people back, who's pass rushing. So, you know, it's just a friendly competition but he's a freak athlete.
SCOUTING SEMINAR #1 — SCOUTING THE CFB PLAYOFF
