Mason Graham is a rising star defensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns, drafted fifth overall in 2025 after dominating at Michigan. He’s already making waves in the NFL with his strength and quickness from a wrestling background.
Mason Graham’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Mason Graham |
| Nickname | None publicly known |
| Date of Birth | September 2, 2003 |
| Age | 22 (as of Feb 2026) |
| Birthplace | Mission Viejo, CA |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | N/A |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.92 m) |
| Weight | 320 lbs (145 kg) |
| Preferred Hand | N/A |
| Position | Defensive Tackle |
| High School | Servite High School, Anaheim, CA |
| University | University of Michigan |
| NFL Draft Year | 2025 |
| Draft Round | 1st Round, Pick 5 (Cleveland Browns) |
| Current Team | Cleveland Browns |
| Jersey Number | N/A |
| Turned Professional | 2025 |
| Net Worth | $27-30 million |
| Annual Salary | $10,218,548 APY |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Girlfriend | Serena Nyambio |
| Children | None |
| Instagram Profile | @mason.graham |
Mason Graham keeps his personal life low-key, focusing mostly on football and his relationship with Serena Nyambio, a Michigan volleyball player. They went public at the 2024 ESPYs and she was by his side at the 2025 NFL Draft. Fans love their supportive vibe on social media.
Early Career
Mason Graham grew up in Mission Viejo, California, and starred at Servite High School in Anaheim as a two-way lineman and wrestler, winning two Trinity League heavyweight titles. He racked up 60 tackles, 22 TFLs, and 14 sacks his senior year, earning LA Times High School Player of the Year. A four-star recruit, he flipped his commitment to Michigan after watching them play and enrolled early, skipping his high school senior semester.
As a true freshman in 2022, he played all 14 games with 27 tackles and 2.5 sacks. In 2023, he earned All-Big Ten honors, helped win the national title, and was Rose Bowl Defensive MVP with 36 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 3 sacks. His 2024 junior year was elite: unanimous All-American, 45 tackles, 3.5 sacks, Bronko Nagurski and Outland finalist. Career college stats: 108 tackles, 18 TFL, 9 sacks in 39 games.
Professional Career
The Cleveland Browns traded down to snag Mason Graham fifth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, the first DT off the board. He signed a four-year, fully guaranteed $40.87 million deal right away. As a rookie, Graham started 9+ games, logging 763 snaps—most among rookie interior linemen.
He posted 49 tackles (28 solo), 5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 4 passes defensed, and led rookies in pass-rush win rate (10.9%) while ranking high in run-stop percentage. Played 72.3% of snaps over 17 games, with 36 QB pressures (second on team). Dealt with a minor rib issue but stayed productive, earning All-Rookie nods. In 2026, he’s key to the D-line amid injuries, tying season-highs in tackles like five vs. Raiders.
Girlfriend
Mason Graham is Girlfriend Serena Nyambio, a standout Michigan volleyball player and academic star. They met as Wolverines student-athletes, went public at the 2024 ESPY Awards, and she celebrated his draft night with an Instagram post calling him a “good one” for the Browns. No kids or marriage yet—they keep things supportive and low-drama.
Mason Graham’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Mason Graham’s net worth sits around $27-30 million, driven by his massive rookie contract earnings. That includes the bulk of his $40.87 million deal already pocketed in year one, plus NIL leftovers from college. Expect it to climb with performance bonuses and future extensions as he locks down a starting DT spot.
Contract
Graham inked a 4-year, $40,874,192 fully guaranteed rookie deal with the Browns in 2025, averaging $10,218,548 per year. It features a $26.4 million signing bonus (prorated at $6.59M/year), base salaries starting at $840K, and escalating roster bonuses up to $5.18M in 2028. Includes a standard fifth-year option. Contract ranks 31st among IDL. Dead money trails if cut, but he’s locked in through 2028.
Salary
Mason Graham’s salary breaks down smartly for a top-5 pick, with most money upfront via that huge signing bonus—he took home $27.2 million in cash his rookie year alone, mixing base pay, bonus, and guarantees. Year two (2026) brings $2.7 million cash ($1M base + bonuses), against a $9.3M cap hit. It ramps to $4.55M in 2027 and $6.4M in 2028, keeping him paid like a star DT without backloading risks. Fully guaranteed means zero holdout worries; Browns got scheme versatility for pennies on the elite dollar.
Career Earnings
| Year | Team | Base Salary | Signing Bonus (Prorated) | Roster Bonus | Cash Paid | Cap Hit |
| 2025 | Browns | $840,000 | $6,591,671 | $0 | $27,206,684 | $7,431,671 |
| 2026 | Browns | $1,005,000 | $6,591,671 | $1,692,918 | $2,697,918 | $9,289,589 |
| 2027 | Browns | $1,120,000 | $6,591,671 | $3,435,836 | $4,555,836 | $11,147,507 |
| 2028 | Browns | $1,235,000 | $6,591,671 | $5,178,754 | $6,413,754 | $13,005,425 |
| Total | $4,200,000 | $26,366,684 | $10,307,508 | $40,874,192 | $40,874,192 |
Endorsements
Before the NFL, Mason Graham stacked NIL deals at Michigan like Wolverine Boots (renewed 2024), EA Sports for College Football 25, Randy Wise Automotive (first in 2023 for marketing/charity), Champions Circle, and Michigan Football Signing Event—valuing him at $659K. Now pro, expect NFL sponsors to pile on with his 75K Instagram followers and clean image, but no major 2026 deals announced yet. Wrestling roots and DT dominance make him perfect for rugged brands.
Career Records
Graham shines vs. rivals. College highlights vs. Ohio State (3-0), Michigan State (3-0), USC, Minnesota, Washington. NFL rookie year, strong run stops vs. Raiders (held to 2.9 YPC). No full records table yet as early-career player, but key games show his impact.
| Opponent | Competition | Year | Tackles | TFL/Sacks | Notes |
| Ohio State | College | 2024 | 7 | 0 | Win 13-10 |
| USC | College | 2024 | 6 | 1 sack | Win 27-24 |
| Minnesota | College | 2024 | 4 | 2 sacks | Win 27-24 |
| Washington | College | 2024 | 2 | 1 sack, FG block | Win |
| Las Vegas Raiders | NFL | 2025 | 5 | 1 TFL | Win 24-10, held run game |
| Alabama | College (Rose Bowl) | 2023 | 4 | N/A | Defensive MVP, natty path |
FAQs
1. Who is Mason Graham?
Mason Graham is a professional football defensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns in the NFL. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, earning two-time All-American honors, including unanimous first-team in 2024.
2. What is Mason Graham’s college background?
Graham attended the University of Michigan from 2022 to 2024, appearing in 39 games with 27 starts. He helped the team achieve a 35-6 record, win two Big Ten championships, and secure the 2024 national championship.
3. Where did Mason Graham go to high school?
Mason Graham attended Servite High School in Anaheim, California. He was a two-way starter on the football team and a standout wrestler, earning Trinity League heavyweight titles.
4. What position does Mason Graham play?
Mason Graham plays defensive tackle. At 6-3 and around 320 pounds, he excels as an interior lineman with strong leverage, hand-fighting skills, and run-stopping ability.
5. What were Mason Graham’s college stats?
Over three seasons at Michigan, Graham recorded 108 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks. In 2024, his junior year, he led defensive linemen with 45 tackles, 7 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks.
6. What awards did Mason Graham win in college?
Graham was a unanimous All-American in 2024, a second-team All-American in 2023, and All-Big Ten multiple times. He was the 2023 Rose Bowl Defensive MVP, Nagurski Trophy finalist, and Outland Trophy finalist.
7. When was Mason Graham drafted by the NFL?
Mason Graham was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He was the first defensive tackle chosen.
8. What were Mason Graham’s rookie NFL stats?
In his 2025 rookie season with the Browns, Graham played 17 games, recording 49 tackles (7 for loss), 0.5 sacks, and 4 passes defensed. He led rookie interior linemen in snaps with 763.
9. How did wrestling help Mason Graham’s football career?
Graham’s wrestling background, including two Trinity League heavyweight championships, developed his leverage, hand strength, and one-on-one battle skills. It contributed to his quick rise as a dominant interior defender.
10. What are Mason Graham’s career highlights at Michigan?
Highlights include a critical TFL in overtime of the 2024 Rose Bowl win over Alabama, blocking a field goal against Washington in 2024, and going 3-0 against rivals Michigan State and Ohio State.
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