Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham is 1 of 7 finalists for the Ted Hendricks Award.

Graham led the nation with 26 tackles for loss and recorded 10 1/2 sacks this year to earn first-team all-Big Ten honors. He would be the second Wolverine to win the award in four years, following close friend LaMarr Woodley.

TCU's Jerry Hughes, Oklahoma's Jeremy Beal, Texas' Sergio Kindle, Georgia Tech's Derrick Morgan, Texas A&M's Von Miller and Greg Romeus of Pitt also are finalists for the award, which is presented annually to the nation's top defensive end.

The winner will be announced Dec. 9.

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.