Mark Messner’s career records for sacks (36) and tackles for loss (70) are out of reach, but Brandon Graham could finish his Michigan career No. 2 in both categories.

Graham already ranks second on Michigan’s all-time list with 25 1/2 sacks, and he needs six more TFLs to overtake his good friend LaMarr Woodley for second place in that category. With 47 tackles for loss, including 17 this year, Graham is currently tied for fourth with Victor Hobson.

“I got to put up some more,” Graham said. “I got two games left and hopefully I get that third, but I’m just trying to win that tackle for loss one.”

Graham said he’s not consumed by the numbers, but it “means a lot” to be listed among the greatest pass rushers in Michigan history.

With 6 1/2 sacks this year - all in the October - Graham has passed James Hall (25), Chris Hutchinson (24), Glen Steele (24), Woodley (24) and others on Michigan’s career list

“I know how much I hear Woodley’s name and all these names,” Graham said. “It just feels good because I know somebody’s going to be talking about me next year or in years to come saying that you’ve got to get up there with Brandon Graham to pass him up. I know somebody’s going to pass me up, it’s just always good to have your name thrown out there.”

A few more Brandon Graham notes • You can read an NFL scout’s take of Graham here, and here’s what former Lions general manager Matt Millen had to say about the senior defensive end's draft prospects: “I like him. He plays with great leverage. He can burst. He can get to the edge because he knows how to take the inside. He’ll have to adjust to the pro game cause he’s going to run into good players every week. The NCAA, you get some average players. But the good thing about him is you know when he’s expected to make a play, he makes a play. And he’s factor in every game. He’s a good player and he’s a great kid. Just a wonderful kid.”

• Graham said his biggest hit of the year came in the third quarter of the Michigan State game, when he knocked running back Glenn Winston horizontal.

“He was off his feet for real,” Graham said.

Detroit Crockett coach Rod Oden, who coached Graham in high school and Winston in little league, told Graham before the game of his premonition the two would meet on the field.

“He was saying like, ‘There’s going to come a time where you and Glenn meet in the hole. We’re going to see who’s on who’s back,” Graham said. “I was like, ‘It sure ain’t going to be me.’”

• Graham’s personal philosophy on tackling: “I just see myself hurting everybody with the ball. I want to make sure they don’t want to touch that ball no more.”

• Cornerback Troy Woolfolk on what stands out about Graham’s game: “He has great explosion. Most (defensive) linemen are kind of slow off the ball. He came in here as the No. 1 linebacker in the nation so he still has that speed and explosiveness. And he still has that hitting mentality. He doesn’t just use his big body to flop on you, he’ll blast you.”

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.