Brandon Lee Graham born April 3, 1988 is an American professional football defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League (NFL). Selected by the Eagles in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft with the 13th overall pick, he was the first player from the Big Ten Conference to be chosen. Graham was a standout All-American college football player at the University of Michigan. In high school, Graham was an elite and highly-rated linebacker who captained the 2006 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He earned numerous All-American honors and was a finalist for several prestigious high school football awards.
Brandon Graham Biography 2024
Graham was named the 2009 Big Ten Conference co-MVP by the Chicago Tribune’s Silver Football award. That year, he led the nation in tackles for loss per game, having finished second in 2008 by a narrow margin. He was the Big Ten’s leader in tackles for loss in both 2008 and 2009, recording 29.5 career sacks and 56 career tackles for loss by the end of his college career. In 2008, he topped the Big Ten with 20 tackles for loss in 11 games. The following year, he achieved 26 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in 12 games. After his standout performance for the 2009 Michigan Wolverines football team, Graham received several All-America honors and was a finalist for the prestigious Hendricks Award. He was also named the MVP of the 2010 Senior Bowl.
In the NFL, Graham became a second-team All-Pro in 2016 and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2020. During the 2017 NFL season, he led the Super Bowl LII champion Philadelphia Eagles with 9.5 sacks. One of the most memorable moments of his career came in Super Bowl LII, where Graham made a critical strip sack on Tom Brady in the final minutes of the game, helping secure the Eagles’ first-ever Super Bowl victory. Graham has played more games for the Eagles than any other player in franchise history.
Brandon Graham Biography Details
| Born | April 3, 1988 (age 36)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
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| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
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| Weight | 265 lb (120 kg) |
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| High school | Crockett (Detroit, Michigan) |
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| College | Michigan (2006–2009) |
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| NFL draft | 2010 / round: 1 / pick: 13 |
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Brandon Graham Early Life
Graham grew up in Detroit and began playing football at a young age, first joining the Police Athletic League Detroit Giants at seven years old. He attended Crockett Vocational Tech, where the football program faced numerous challenges, including no proper locker room and practices under car headlights due to a lack of field lights. Nonetheless, Graham’s talent was evident early on. As a sophomore, he made an immediate impact, earning an honorable mention as an All-Detroit lineman.
During his junior year, Graham played multiple positions, including linebacker, offensive guard, placekicker, and punter. His performance helped lead Crockett to the MHSAA state championships, although they were defeated by Lumen Christi Catholic School in the semifinals. In addition to his football accomplishments, Graham maintained a 3.8 GPA. He earned recognition for his performance on the field, including 91 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and a memorable game where he had 12 tackles, four sacks, four forced fumbles, two blocked punts, and a touchdown on a 78-yard fake punt.
Ranked as the top football prospect in Michigan and one of the best linebackers in the nation by recruiting services, Graham was considered a top recruit for the 2006 class. He was named a finalist for prestigious awards like the Parade All-America Player of the Year and the Walter Payton Trophy. As a senior, he was chosen to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where he captained the East team and made key plays, including a blocked field goal. Graham’s high school career ended with Crockett’s undefeated regular season, and he was selected to several All-State teams, including the Detroit News All-Class Dream Team and the Michigan Prep Football Great 8. By his senior year, Graham had earned a 3.2 GPA.
Brandon Graham High School Achievements
Year | Achievement | Description |
2005 | Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year | Awarded for outstanding high school performance in Michigan |
2006 | U.S. Army All-American Bowl Captain | Led the East team and showcased his defensive skills |
2006 | Detroit News No. 1 Blue Chip Prospect | Ranked as the top high school player in Michigan |
Brandon Graham College Career at Michigan
Year | Achievement | Explanation |
2008 | First-team All-Big Ten | Recognized for leading the Big Ten in tackles for loss |
2009 | Big Ten Co-MVP | Earned co-MVP honors after a standout season |
2009 | First-team All-American | Selected for his dominant defensive play in college |
NFL Draft and Early Career
Year | Achievement | Details |
2010 | NFL Draft: 13th Overall Pick | Selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round |
2010 | First Year Stats | Recorded 3.0 sacks and 13 tackles in rookie season |
Super Bowl LII Champion
Year | Achievement | Facts |
2017 | Super Bowl LII Champion | Key player in the Eagles’ first Super Bowl victory |
2017 | Super Bowl LII Strip Sack on Tom Brady | Made a pivotal strip sack in the final minutes of the game |
Career Stats (as of 2024)
Statistic | Total |
Tackles | 479 |
Sacks | 74 |
Forced Fumbles | 21 |
Fumble Recoveries | 7 |
Brandon Graham Career Awards
Year | Award | Point |
2016 | Second-team All-Pro | Selected for his excellent performance during the season |
2020 | Pro Bowl Selection | Named to the Pro Bowl after a standout season |
Playoff and Super Bowl Performance
Year | Achievement | Description |
2017 | Super Bowl LII Performance | Contributed significantly with a key sack and strip |
2018 | NFC Championship Game | Played a key role in advancing the Eagles to the Super Bowl |
Brandon Graham Pro Bowl Selection
Year | Achievement | Information |
2020 | Pro Bowl Selection | Recognized as one of the league’s best defensive ends |
Brandon Graham Key Defensive Stats (2017 Season)
Statistic | Total |
Sacks | 9.5 |
Tackles | 47 |
Forced Fumbles | 2 |
Brandon Graham Career Highlights
Year | Achievement | Details |
2021 | Over 500 Career Tackles | Reached the significant milestone of 500 tackles in his career |
2022 | 10+ Career Sacks in 2022 | Continued to contribute with over 10 sacks |
College Career Stats
Statistic | Total |
Sacks | 29.5 |
Tackles for Loss | 56 |
Brandon Graham Personal Life
Year | Achievement | Facts |
2022 | Christmas Album | Featured vocals on the album A Philly Special Christmas |
Brandon Graham Impact on the Eagles Franchise
Year | Milestone | Description |
2023 | Most Games Played in Eagles History | Became the player with the most games played in franchise history |
Leadership and Community Involvement
Year | Achievement | View |
2021 | Mentoring Young Players | Actively involved in mentoring younger players on the team |
Brandon Graham Career Sack Milestones
Year | Milestone | Details |
2023 | Reached 74 Career Sacks | Achieved significant milestone in career sack total |
Brandon Graham Net Worth
Graham has an estimated net worth of $32 million.
Brandon Graham Summary
Brandon Graham, born on April 3, 1988, is a professional defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL. He was drafted in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft and became a key player in the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII victory. Known for his pass-rushing skills, Graham has earned multiple honors, including a Pro Bowl selection in 2020. He played college football at the University of Michigan, where he was a standout defensive player. Off the field, Graham is also active in community efforts and has contributed to projects like A Philly Special Christmas.
