Garrett Graham

With his initial quickness, few inside-the-box defenders can mirror Graham's movements coming off the snap. He seems to be at his best making the difficult catch in the clutch, as 92 of his 121 career receptions produced first downs (76.03%). On those 121 grabs, he converted 37 third-down plays. Graham found the end zone 16 times during his career, but his big-play ability resulted in the Badgers recording 39 touchdowns and 10 field goals, thanks to his crucial receptions. He hauled down 66.48 percent of the balls thrown into his area (121-of-182), proving to have great hands, as he dropped just five passes targeted to him (opponents deflected 15 other tosses). He also developed into a great safety valve for Wisconsin quarterbacks, making 22 of his receptions inside the red zone, with 13 of them coming on goal-line plays. At Memorial High School, Graham was twice named to the Associated Press, Newark Star-Ledger and Gannett News All-State teams. He was a New Jersey Top 25 and National Top 35 prospect selection, earning a four-star rating from Rivals.com. Super Prep rated him the 26th-best over-all prospect in the nation, as he was also chosen for Prep Football's All-East Top 60 list. Graham excelled on both sides of the ball, lining up at tight end and defensive end. He also handled place-kicking and punting chores. The two-time team captain and MVP pulled down 25 passes for 604 yards (24.16-yard average) and 10 touchdowns, adding field goals for distances of 45 and 47 yards as a senior. He would close out his prep career with 2,031 yards and 21 touchdowns on 96 receptions (21.16-yard average). Graham arrived on Wisconsin's campus as a 225-pound tight end recruit in 2005, but spent the season with the scout team. He appeared briefly vs. Minnesota and Buffalo in 2006 before going on to see his most extensive action that season in the Capital One Bowl vs. Arkansas. As a sophomore, Graham started 10-of-13 games for the Badgers. He finished second on the team with 30 receptions, good for 328 yards (10.93-yard average), as his four touchdown grabs also ranked second on the squad. 24 of his catches produced first downs, as he converted 12 third-down throws and one more on fourth-down action, coming up with big plays that led to seven UW touchdown drives and three other possessions that ended with field goals. A relative unknown when fall camp began, Graham was thrust into reps with the first-team offense when Beckum missed multiple practices with an injury. Living up to the team motto of "Next Man In," Graham, according to the coaches, became one of the most impressive players in camp, showing off his superb locking, pass catching and surprising speed. Graham was named All-Big Ten Conference first-team by the media in 2008. With Paul Hubbard graduated and Travis Beckum injured, the junior was more than up to the task of being Wisconsin's featured receiver, as he ranked eighth in the nation among tight ends with a team-high 40 receptions for 540 yards (13.5-yard average) and five touchdowns. He came up with clutch catches to set up ten touchdown drives and three field goals, turning 28 of his grabs into first downs. Nine of those catches converted third-down plays and 11 of his snatches were for 20 yards or longer. With Beckum in the NFL, Graham went on to start every game in 2009, despite being hampered midseason due to a concussion suffered in the Iowa clash. The team MVP pulled down a career-high 51 passes for 624 yards and seven touchdowns. He made seven of his catches inside the red zone and had key receptions that led to 18 touchdown drives and three field goals by the Badgers.

after the catch

Strong runner who moves forward and keeps the ball secure while two or three defenders attempt to bring him down. Not very elusive but has some agility and will use his hands to avoid a tackler in the open field. One of the few tight ends in the country used on a middle screen. Will not accelerate away from defenders.

route running

Best as a move-the-chains H-back. Looks for holes between the linebackers and presents a big target for the quarterback. Uses body language and head fakes to free himself from linebackers on arrow routes between the hashes. Has stiff hips and is deliberate coming into and out of his out routes, causing him to be late to turn his head around. Comes back or heads downfield to give his quarterback an option if scrambling. Will not separate easily from NFL linebackers and safeties, although he can make catches down the seam if allowed to run free.

intangibles

Team captain and co-MVP in 2009 with strong work ethic on the practice field and in the weight room. Plays hard on every down, and is willing to play hurt and do the dirty work. No character concerns.

nfl comparison

David Thomas, Saints

hands

Reliable receiver who is able to adjust to low, high and wide throws and hangs on after a big hit. Looks the ball in and secures before moving upfield. Will snatch the ball outside his frame. Uses his hands more often than his chest when the ball comes straight-on. Can track the ball over his shoulder down the seam.

release

Fair quickness off the line, and can make defense pay downfield if unchecked. Takes time to get to top speed; not an especially fluid runner. Lacks a second gear. Could use his hands better to get off linebacker jams.

blocking

Good positional blocker whether lined up in H-back position, motion or three-point stance. Gives very good effort and almost always gets his target on run plays. Works hard blocking downfield for backs and receivers. Needs better consistency sustaining all blocks at the second level; gets a glancing blow more often than using strong hands and quick feet to prevent defender from disengaging. Manages to handle defensive ends and sustain sufficiently on the edge, but may struggle against stronger NFL talent.

2008: Suffered a small bone fracture in his right foot vs. Fresno State (9/13) that would force him to sit out the next two games vs. Michigan (9/27) and Ohio State (10/04), returning in a reserve role vs. Penn State (10/11) before being reinserted into the starting lineup for the rest of the schedule. 2009: Missed the second half of the Iowa contest (10/17) due to a concussion suffered in the second quarter.

Campus: 4.64 in the 40-yard dash (handheld)

4.74 in the 40-yard dash (electronic)

1.63 10-yard dash

2.69 20-yard dash

4.33 20-yard shuttle

11.72 60-yard shuttle

7.04 three-cone drill

33-inch vertical jump

9'7" broad jump

Bench pressed 225 pounds 20 times

30 3/4-inch arm length

9 3/8-inch hands.

Attended Brick Township Memorial (Brick, N.J.) High School, playing football for head coach Fred Sprengel

Named to the Associated Press, Newark Star-Ledger and Gannett News All-State teams as a junior and senior

New Jersey Top 25 and National Top 35 prospect selection, earning a four-star rating from Rivals.com

Rated the 26th-best overall prospect in the nation by Scout.com

Chosen for Prep Football's All-East Top 60 list

Was a versatile performer, as he lined up at tight end and defensive end, in addition to handling place-kicking and punting chores

The two-time team captain and MVP caught 25 passes for 604 yards (24.16-yard average) and 10 touchdowns, adding 14 tackles (10 solos) with a pair of sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception, adding five field goals, including two for distances of 45 and 47 yards as a senior

That year, some of his high-lights were four receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns, two punts for 78 yards, a 10-yard interception return and four PATs in a 28-0 shutout of Southern Regional

In the Middleton North clash, both of his catches were good for touchdowns totaling 85 yards, as he also had a 30-yard punt downed inside the 10-yard line and seven extra points

The senior kicked a 24-yard field goal with two PATs and snared three passes for 75 yards vs. Central Regional

Graham caught five of the team's seven pass completions, setting up three touchdown drives thanks to his 144 aerial yards, as he also made two solo tackles, sacked QB Diontae Jeffress for a 3-yard loss and kicked three extra points vs. Lakewood

In the first of two meetings vs. Tom River South, he had two solo tackles with a 3-yard sack, punted three times for 93 yards, including a 35-yarder that was downed at the 7-yard line, scored on a 1-yard run, kicked a 29-yard field goal and made two PATs. In the second meeting between the teams, he recovered a fumble

QB Chris James found Graham with a 77-yard touchdown toss, as the senior also registered five tackles vs. Ocean Township

In his final game vs. Brick High, Graham kicked a 47-yard field goal in the first quarter and then added a 45-yarder in the fourth, helping the Mustangs finish with an 8-2 record

He closed out his prep career with 2,031 yards and 21 touch-downs on 96 receptions (21.16-yard average).

Sociology major

Son of Eileen and Gordon Graham

Father played for the West Virginia University soccer team

Born 8/04/86

Resides in Brick, New Jersey.