Mason Graham is the player Michigan will miss most this year, just like they missed J.J. McCarthy after he left for the NFL Draft last year. Former Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh even called Graham “a gift from the football gods.”
The good news? There’s another Graham on the rise. Mason’s younger brother, Carson Graham, is starting to turn heads. Let’s take a closer look at the next football star in the family.
Who Is Mason Graham’s Brother, Carson Graham?
Mason’s younger brother, Carson Graham, plays for Kahuku High School in Kahuku, Hawaii. He’s currently listed on their JV football team for the 2024 season on Hudl. Carson already stands out with a powerful build at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds. His size and skill are starting to attract attention from the college football world.
Carson showcased his talent during the junior portion of the Polynesian Bowl events. He impressed recruiting analyst Greg Biggins, who tweeted that Carson might be “the biggest of the Graham boys.”
“Kahuku ’28 edge Carson Graham, younger brother of #Michigan DL and future first-round pick Mason Graham, is already pushing 6-2, 230,” Biggins wrote.
Carson is part of the class of 2028, but there’s a good chance Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore — and plenty of other top programs — are already keeping tabs on him.
Graham’s College Career, NFL Draft Projection
But this year is all about Mason. Originally from Los Angeles, Graham made his mark as a dominant two-way player at Servite High School. As a senior, he posted 60 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks. He helped Servite reach the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship game and earned both Los Angeles Times High School Football Player of the Year and Trinity League Most Valuable Lineman honors.
Graham wasn’t just a star on the field — he also won two Trinity League heavyweight wrestling titles. He initially committed to Boise State but later flipped to Michigan as a four-star recruit.
As a freshman at Michigan, he played in a rotational role but still made a strong impression. He earned Freshman All-American honors from Pro Football Focus and built major hype heading into his sophomore year. That season, he became a cornerstone of one of the top defenses in the country, helping the Wolverines win a national title.
By his final year, Graham was already a household name and a top NFL prospect. Even though Michigan didn’t repeat as champs, he stayed dominant.
Now, he’s one of the top defensive players in the 2025 NFL Draft. He’s projected to go as high as the top five. In Pro Football Network’s latest mock draft, Graham is predicted to go No. 6 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders.
“He’s a true poster for whatever — whether it’s Servite, Michigan, or wherever he goes next,” Graham’s wrestling coach, Clinton, told The Michigan Daily. “He’s going to be one of those guys they’re always talking about—and he’ll be showcased.”
