The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Graham declares for NFL Draft
12.12.2020 | Football
Texas senior defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham will forgo the Longhorns’ bowl game and his additional eligibility and enter the 2021 NFL Draft.
Austin – Texas senior defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham will forgo the Longhorns' bowl game and his additional eligibility and enter the 2021 NFL Draft, he announced Saturday.
Statement from Ta'Quon Graham:
"With the regular season officially over, I feel it's time to say my goodbyes and start to prepare for the Senior Bowl and the NFL combine as the next steps in fulfilling my dream of playing in the NFL. I want to thank the University of Texas faithful, my teammates, my coaches, the football staff, my friends and my supportive and loving family. I will always hold my hand high, while extending my index and pinky fingers to form the most recognizable college symbol in the world. Being a Longhorn is what football in the state of Texas is all about and wearing Burnt Orange is a true privilege. I will always remember my time here and will miss you all. Hook 'em Horns!"
Graham, a team captain in 2020, recorded 72 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 48 games (24 starts) during his career at The University of Texas. This season, he ranks third on the team with seven tackles for loss, tied for second with two sacks and tied for the team lead with two quarterback hurries. Graham posted his best performance as a Longhorn in Texas' come-from-behind win over then-No. 6 Oklahoma State on Halloween, notching five tackles (three solo), 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack and a fumble recovery. All of those were career-high marks for the Temple, Texas native. Graham took over a starting spot on the defensive line full-time in 2019, and has started each of the last 23 games for Texas over the past two seasons (13 in 2019, 9 in 2020). Last season, he ranked second on the team in both sacks (3.5) and tackles for loss (12.0), and was second among Longhorn defensive linemen in tackles (31). He finished his junior campaign with one of his biggest games of the year, racking up four tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack in Texas' 38-10 win over then-No. 11 Utah in the Valero Alamo Bowl.
