Senior leads the nation in tackles for loss
Read more: Brandon Graham, Michigan Wolverines, Ted Hendricks Award, NCAA Football, Big Ten Conference, College, NCAA Football
CHICAGO, IL -- One of the nation’s top defensive players, Michigan senior Brandon Graham (Detroit, Mich./Crockett Technical HS) has been named one of seven finalist for the 2009 Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s foremost defensive end.
Graham joins 2006 Hendricks Award winner LaMarr Woodley as the only Wolverines named finalists for the prestigious award.
The other finalists are Jeremy Beal (Oklahoma), Jerry Hughes (TCU), Sergio Kindle (Texas), Von Miller (Texas A&M), Derrick Morgan (Georgia Tech) and Greg Romeus (Pittsburgh). The award has been presented to the top defensive end in college football for on-field performance, leadership abilities and contributions to school and community since 2002.
Graham leads the nation in tackles for loss (26) and is 15th with 10.5 sacks. A first-team All-Big Ten selection, he posted career highs in tackles (64) and TFLs 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-America, he is the only player in the nation to rank in the top 5 in TFLs two straight seasons (first in 2009 and second in 2008).
The winner of the 2009 Ted Hendricks Award will be announced on Wednesday, Dec. 9. The presentation banquet is scheduled for March 21 at Doral in Miami, Fla.
