Brandon Graham's draft prospects rising

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. took note of Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham’s two-sack, 3 1/2-tackle-for-loss game last week against Iowa. Both of Graham’s sacks came against left tackle Bryan Bulaga, Kiper’s No. 1-rated tackle in the 2011 class.

"In terms of pro potential, just consider that the Hawkeyes have the premier tackle tandem in the Big Ten,” Kiper wrote on ESPN.com. “This will be one of the first tapes that scouts review when trying to gauge what the future holds for Graham in the NFL."

Graham moved up two spots to No. 23 on Kiper’s “2010 Big Board” of draft prospects and ranks third among senior defensive ends behind Mississippi’s Greg Hardy and TCU’s Jerry Hughes.

After an 0-for September, Graham has three sacks in the last two games and is tied for the Big Ten lead with seven tackles-for-loss in conference play.

“I was hungry to get them,” Graham said. “I was starving for a minute. I’m kind of full a little bit, but I’m about to get even more.”

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.