Mason Graham, a defensive tackle with a 32-inch arm length, has made waves at the NFL combine, despite being in the 12th percentile for arm length among defensive tackle prospects this century. His performance on the field is all that really needs to be said on this topic. In the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl, Williams was pitted against the Crimson Tide’s left guard Tyler Booker. His elite athleticism and quick processing to read the defense made him unique and set him on a historic trajectory to the 2023 NFL draft. He is projected to become the first Michigan defensive tackle to be selected in the top 10 of the NFL draft.
“He just physically [controlled] that entire offensive line,” – Wink Martindale
Graham’s experience as a wrestler honed his skills to win one-on-one matchups. This often-overlooked ability has been an enormous asset to his success as a professional quarterback. Graham’s true impact on the field isn’t always obvious in the statistics. Last year, LB Nick Vigil was just giving up 4.6 yards per play while on the field vs 5.4 yards per play when off the field. His disruptive defensive efficiency is what brought him consensus unanimous All-American honors a season ago.
“You can definitely tell his wrestling background with the way he plays because of his balance. He knows how to use his hands better than a lot of players in the league right now.” – Wink Martindale
Aside from his strong physical attributes, it is the football intelligence that Graham has displayed as well that is impressive. He is celebrated for his natural playmaking instincts and for his ability to diagnose plays before they develop.
“He’s such an instinctual player… he sees the play coming before it happens.” – Kelly Talavou
His diminutive arm length, typically an important measuring point for defensive tackles, hasn’t stopped his dominance. When it comes to short arms, this has been a red flag for many expert scouts. Graham’s capacity to work with blockers is a perfect example of why this reproach does not stick to him.
“Arm length doesn’t matter with him because he works so hard and he’s so smart,” – Kelly Talavou
“Short arms are worth noting, but realistically only concerning if it shows up on tape,” – AFC scout
“If a player with short arms is constantly allowing their chest to be attacked or is frequently stuck on blocks, then short arms are a huge concern. That’s not the case here. Graham’s a highly disruptive player.” – AFC scout
Graham’s disruptive playstyle was further highlighted during Michigan’s national championship run two years ago when he delivered one of the biggest defensive plays in program history. His capacity to change the game in decisive moments has turned him into a priceless piece for his squad.
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