Mason Graham Shortsightedly Leans On Win Over Ohio State at NFL Scouting Combine
The NFL Scouting Combine is a pivotal moment for college football players looking to showcase their talents for professional scouts and team executives. This week-long event, held annually in Indianapolis, brings together the top prospects from across the country to perform drills, undergo psychological testing, and demonstrate their physical prowess. It’s a critical opportunity to prove their readiness for the next level. For some players, the Combine provides a chance to make a statement and cement their spot in the NFL Draft.
Mason Graham, a standout defensive tackle from Michigan, arrived at the Combine in 2025 as one of the most intriguing prospects. His performance during the 2024 season with the Michigan Wolverines earned him a place among the top defensive linemen in the draft. However, in a controversial move, Graham took the opportunity to highlight one specific game—Michigan’s victory over Ohio State—as the focal point of his narrative. While there’s no doubt that the win over Ohio State was a major achievement for Graham and his team, leaning too heavily on that victory may have been a shortsighted move for the young prospect, particularly at such a critical juncture in his career.
The Importance of the Ohio State Win
For Michigan and its players, the rivalry game against Ohio State is more than just another game on the schedule; it’s a long-standing, heated battle that often determines the trajectory of the season. For years, the Michigan-Ohio State matchup has had enormous implications for both teams, with the winner gaining a chance to play in the Big Ten Championship and possibly making the College Football Playoff.
Graham, a key player on Michigan’s defensive line, had a standout performance in the 2024 edition of “The Game,” helping his team secure a victory in a high-stakes matchup that ended a years-long losing streak to Ohio State. His ability to disrupt the Buckeyes’ offensive line and be a consistent force in the trenches was integral to Michigan’s success in the game.
This victory was undoubtedly a significant feather in Graham’s cap. The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry carries immense weight in the eyes of college football fans, and a win in that game is a valuable accomplishment for any player, especially one with professional aspirations like Graham. However, as impressive as the victory was, it’s problematic that Graham has leaned so heavily on this one game as a cornerstone of his scouting narrative.
The Shortsightedness of Relying Too Heavily on One Game
While the Ohio State win was undoubtedly impressive, it represents just one game in a long season, and even more importantly, a singular event in a player’s career. The NFL is a league that evaluates players based on their entire body of work, not just one specific game, no matter how high-profile it might be.
In Graham’s case, his performance against Ohio State, though notable, should not be the sole focal point when considering his ability to succeed at the professional level. At the NFL Scouting Combine, teams are looking at a player’s complete skill set. They want to see how well a player performs in drills, how he moves, his athleticism, his mental acuity, and his ability to adjust to the next level of competition. By focusing too heavily on one game, Graham risks being perceived as someone who hasn’t fully developed his skill set or isn’t versatile enough to perform consistently across an entire season.
NFL scouts and executives are looking for more than just the “highlight moments” that come with big wins. They want to see whether a player can perform week in and week out against different levels of competition, not just against one team, no matter how important that rivalry may be. By narrowing his focus on this singular game, Graham may have unintentionally limited his own narrative and neglected the broader picture of his potential.
Lack of Context in the Ohio State Victory
Another issue with Graham’s emphasis on the Ohio State win is the lack of broader context surrounding the game itself. College football is an unpredictable sport, and individual performances are often influenced by a variety of factors, including the effectiveness of teammates, injuries, weather conditions, and even game plans. In the case of the Michigan-Ohio State game, Graham’s performance was undoubtedly strong, but it’s important to note that Ohio State had its own share of struggles in that particular contest.
Quarterback play and offensive line performance often dictate the outcome of games, and in the 2024 Ohio State game, the Buckeyes’ offensive line struggled at times. Ohio State’s offense, which had been explosive throughout the season, was held to lower-than-usual numbers. While Graham’s performance played a key role in disrupting the offense, he also benefitted from the fact that Ohio State’s offense was not firing on all cylinders.
This dynamic can sometimes be overlooked when players tout their success against a specific opponent. A performance that is deemed “dominant” may be just as much about the opponent’s deficiencies on that day as it is about the player’s own abilities. Without acknowledging the broader context, Graham risks giving a misleading representation of his skill set.
Broader Skillset and Performance Evaluation
The NFL Scouting Combine, where Graham is hoping to make a strong impression, is designed to evaluate a player’s skill set across a variety of drills and tests, not just his ability to perform in one game. For Graham, this means showcasing his agility, strength, and explosiveness. His overall performance in these evaluations will carry much more weight than a singular game.
At the Combine, Graham will face questions about his ability to handle a full season of NFL-caliber competition, not just a rivalry game that lasted four quarters. His ability to be disruptive on a consistent basis, regardless of the opponent, is the key to success at the next level. NFL teams are looking for players who can adjust to different schemes, play multiple techniques along the defensive line, and show they can consistently contribute to a team’s success over the course of a 17-game season.
By focusing on just the Ohio State victory, Graham risks sending the message that he’s reliant on one game, one moment, rather than the full breadth of his abilities. Instead, he should have used the Combine as an opportunity to showcase his versatility and emphasize how he was able to consistently produce at a high level throughout the season, not just in one contest.
The Potential Consequences for Graham’s Draft Stock
Leaning too heavily on a single win could ultimately have negative consequences for Graham’s draft stock. Teams are looking for players who are well-rounded, mentally sharp, and able to thrive in multiple environments. If Graham fails to showcase the broader scope of his talent and instead leans on one game for validation, it could raise doubts about his overall potential.
NFL teams also value humility and self-awareness in their prospects. While it’s understandable for a player like Graham to be proud of his performance in such an important game, it’s important to balance that pride with the recognition that the NFL is about much more than one game or one moment. Teams may look for players who are focused on the future and eager to improve, rather than those who may be dwelling on past accomplishments.