Brandon Graham excited 'to answer every question' at the Senior Bowl

While many top draft prospects are quick to turn down invitations to the Senior Bowl, Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham jumped at the chance to play in the Mobile, Ala., all-star game next month.

Why?

"Because I just want to answer every question that everybody has about me and know that I’m a competitor and that’s what I like to do," Graham said. "Every drill that they want to do, I know it’s going to be all eyes on us so I want to be the one to come out victorious."

Rated the No. 19 overall prospect by ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., Graham is projected as a late first- or early second-round pick in most mock drafts. He led the NCAA with 26 tackles for loss this season and shared the Chicago Tribune's Silver Football Award as Big Ten MVP.

To lock up a first-round grade, Graham must prove to scouts he can be an every-down defensive end at his size - he's listed at 6-foot-2 and 263 pounds - or be effective in pass coverage as an outside linebacker.

In a week's worth of practices under prying eyes at the Senior Bowl, that's what he expects to do.

"I ain’t going to run away from no challenge and that's another challenge," said Graham, who's already begun preparing for the game in workouts with Michigan strength and conditioning coach Mike Barwis. "It's another college game for me. It’ll be nice to end on a game like that."

Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.