Thomas Graham Jr. (American football) explained

Thomas Graham Jr.
Current Team:Pittsburgh Steelers
Number:37
Position:Cornerback
Birth Date:June 26, 1999
Birth Place:Rancho Cucamonga, California, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:10
Weight Lbs:192
High School:Rancho Cucamonga (CA)
College:Oregon (2017–2020)
Draftyear:2021
Draftround:6
Draftpick:228
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:19
Statlabel2:Forced fumbles
Statlabel3:Fumble recoveries
Statlabel4:Pass deflections
Statvalue4:4
Statlabel5:Interceptions
Pfr:GrahTh00

Thomas Graham Jr. (born June 26, 1999) is an American professional 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 life

Graham is the son of Thomas Graham Sr. and Tamisha Graham. He initially attended Roosevelt High School in Corona, California, then transferred to Rancho Cucamonga High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California. He was recruited by multiple college football programs, including Notre Dame and Nebraska, before committing to USC in July 2015. The following summer, Graham de-committed from USC. 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. In his 2018 sophomore season, he had 47 solo tackles and three interceptions. 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

Chicago Bears

Graham was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round, 228th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft.[6] On June 2, 2021, he signed his four-year rookie contract with Chicago.[7] He was waived on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[8] [9] The Bears elevated Graham to their active roster after their secondary was depleted by injuries and COVID-19. Graham made his NFL debut on December 20 against the Minnesota Vikings.[10] After playing every snap on defense with seven tackles and three pass breakups, he was signed to the active roster the next day.[11]

On August 30, 2022, Graham was waived by the Bears and signed to the practice squad the next day.[12] [13]

Cleveland Browns

On September 13, 2022, Graham was signed by the Cleveland Browns off the Bears practice squad.[14] He was waived on October 11 and re-signed to the practice squad.[15] He was promoted back to the active roster on October 31.[16]

On August 4, 2023, Graham was waived/injured by the Browns and placed on injured reserve.[17] He was released on November 28.[18]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On January 23, 2024, Graham signed a reserve/futures contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.[19]

External links

Notes and References

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