Thomas Graham Jr.
refer to caption
Graham in 2018
No. 37 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1999-06-26) June 26, 1999 (age 24)
Rancho Cucamonga, California, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:192 lb (87 kg)
Career information
High school:Rancho Cucamonga (CA)
College:Oregon (2017–2020)
NFL draft:2021 / Round: 6 / Pick: 228
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:19
Pass deflections:4
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Thomas Graham Jr. (born June 26, 1999) is an American football cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oregon. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Early years

Graham is the son of Thomas Graham Sr. and Tamisha Graham.[1] He initially attended Roosevelt High School in Corona, California, then transferred to Rancho Cucamonga High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California.[1] He was recruited by multiple college football programs, including Notre Dame and Nebraska, before committing to USC in July 2015.[1] The following summer, Graham de-committed from USC.[1] In December 2016, Graham committed to Oregon through the efforts of that program's then-head coach, Willie Taggart.[1]

College career

As a freshman in 2017, Graham started 12 of the Ducks' 13 games, recording 49 solo tackles and three interceptions.[2] In his 2018 sophomore season, he had 47 solo tackles and three interceptions.[2] As a junior in 2019, he again had 47 solo tackles, along with two interceptions, one coming in the 2020 Rose Bowl.[2] Overall at Oregon, Graham appeared in 40 games while registering 143 solo tackles, 39 assisted tackles, eight interceptions, and one forced fumble.[3]

In September 2020, with the Pac-12 Conference football season seemingly canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Graham opted out of his senior season with Oregon and declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.[4] In November, Graham accepted an invitation to play in the January 2021 edition of the Senior Bowl.[5]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10+3⁄8 in
(1.79 m) 		192 lb
(87 kg) 		31 in
(0.79 m) 		8+7⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		 4.49 s 1.61 s 2.59 s 4.19 s 7.08 s 34.5 in
(0.88 m)		 10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)		 13 reps
All values from Pro Day[6]

Chicago Bears

Graham was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round, 228th overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft.[7] On June 2, 2021, he signed his four-year rookie contract with Chicago.[8] He was waived on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[9][10] The Bears elevated Graham to their active roster after their secondary was depleted by injuries and COVID-19.[11] Graham made his NFL debut on December 20 against the Minnesota Vikings.[11] After playing every snap on defense with seven tackles and three pass breakups, he was signed to the active roster the next day.[12]

On August 30, 2022, Graham was waived by the Bears and signed to the practice squad the next day.[13][14]

Cleveland Browns

On September 13, 2022, Graham was signed by the Cleveland Browns off the Bears practice squad.[15] He was waived on October 11 and re-signed to the practice squad.[16] He was promoted back to the active roster on October 31.[17]

On August 4, 2023, Graham was waived/injured by the Browns and placed on injured reserve.[18] He was released on November 28.[19]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On January 23, 2024, Graham signed a reserve/futures contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.[20]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Thomas Graham Jr.'s success a product of his family's plan". NBC Sports. NBC. September 14, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c Young, Ashley (November 9, 2020). "Former Oregon corner Thomas Graham Jr. accepts invitation to Reese's Senior Bowl". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  3. ^ "Thomas Graham Jr". goducks.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  4. ^ Hoffmann, Shane (September 10, 2020). "Thomas Graham Jr. becomes third Duck in 4 days to opt out of 2020 season". Daily Emerald. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  5. ^ Crepea, James (November 9, 2020). "Oregon's Thomas Graham Jr. accepts invite to Senior Bowl". OregonLive.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  6. ^ "Thomas Graham Jr., Oregon, CB, 2021 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  7. ^ Mayer, Larry (May 1, 2021). "Bears address defense with CB Graham in Round 6". ChicagoBears.com.
  8. ^ Levine, Ben (June 2, 2021). "Bears Sign Four More Draft Picks". Pro Football Rumors. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  9. ^ Mayer, Larry (August 31, 2021). "Roster Moves: Bears announce 53-man roster". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  10. ^ Mayer, Larry (September 1, 2021). "Roster Moves: Bears sign 13 players to practice squad". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Kane, Colleen (December 22, 2021). "3 things we heard from Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy on Tuesday, including Justin Fields' comfort zone and whether Thomas Graham Jr. earned more playing time". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  12. ^ Mayer, Larry (December 21, 2021). "Roster Moves: Bears promote Graham; activate Burns, Shelley". ChicagoBears.com.
  13. ^ Mayer, Larry (August 30, 2022). "Roster Moves: Bears reach NFL's 53-man roster limit". ChicagoBears.com.
  14. ^ Mayer, Larry (August 31, 2022). "Roster Moves: Bears place 14 on practice squad". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  15. ^ Morrison, Laura (September 13, 2022). "Browns make moves, signing CB Thomas Graham Jr". fox8.com. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  16. ^ "Browns sign CB Thomas Graham Jr. to practice squad". ClevelandBrowns.com. October 13, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  17. ^ "Browns sign Thomas Graham Jr., Herb Miller to active roster, elevate 2 others from practice squad". ClevelandBrowns.com. October 31, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  18. ^ "Browns make roster moves - Aug. 4". ClevelandBrowns.com. August 4, 2023.
  19. ^ "Browns sign RB John Kelly Jr. to practice squad". clevelandbrowns.com. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  20. ^ "Steelers sign five to Reserve/Future contracts". Steelers.com. January 23, 2024.

External links

Chicago Bears 2021 NFL draft selections
Pittsburgh Steelers roster
Categories