Tyson Graham

2016
One of six team captains

2015
One of 39 Coyotes who competed in all 11 games … started 10 of 11 games at free safety … earned honorable mention all-MVFC honors … finished as the team’s second-leading tackler with 71 including 41 solo stops and 1.5 for loss … finished second in the MVFC and ranked 29^th nationally in interceptions per game with four picks in 11 games … also credited with three pass breakups … forced a fumble that USD recovered at the goal line in the first quarter against Kansas State in the season opener (9/5) … twice led the team in tackles … had 10 stops in games against Youngstown State (10/3) and South Dakota State (11/14) … helped anchor a defense that ranked 31^st nationally in total defense and 21^stnationally in pass defense

2014
South Dakota’s leading tackler with 97 stops … ranked seventh in the Missouri Valley and 87^th nationally in tackles per game (8.1) … led the team with 44 solo tackles … one of six Coyotes who picked off a pass during the season … led the team with seven pass breakups … one of 25 Coyotes who played in all 12 games … started the final nine games of the season at free safety … had a solo tackle on Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota in the season opener at FBS national runner-up Oregon (8/30) … had eight stops (seven solo) against the Ducks … had 39 tackles in a span of three games against Southern Illinois (13), UNI (12) and Missouri State (season-high 14) … intercepted a pass in the home opener against William Penn that led to an offensive touchdown that sealed the win (9/6) … had seven special teams tackles.

2013
Played in all 12 games and started the first three games of the season at wide receiver … had a 37-yard reception at Kansas (9/7) … played mostly on special teams … had two special-teams tackles at UNI (10/19) and three special-teams stops vs. Youngstown State (11/2) … was named Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week (leading up to Illinois State).

2012
Redshirted…offensive scout team player of the week heading into the North Dakota State game.

Prep
Attended Highlands Christian Academy where he was named one of the top 50 players in Broward County, while earning Defensive Player of the Year honors and all-conference honors as a senior…He was selected for the Palm Beach vs. Broward All-Star Game…Led the team in tackles as a free safety with 96…Had 10 total touchdowns, 500 receiving yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions as a senior.

Personal
Son of Tyson Graham, Sr. and C’estquea Graham… kinesiology and sports science major.

GRAHAM HIGHLIGHTS

Graham was recruited to play receiver upon arriving at South Dakota. His coaches would jokingly argue that each wanted him on their side of the football. In the end, Jason Petrino won out getting Graham to permanently remain on the defensive side of the ball.

South Dakota has maximized his abilities, which are many, in regards to using Graham the right way. He has lined up playing safety, outside linebacker and even defensive end. Then think back to him originally coming aboard as a receiver and you get a sense of the athleticism and versatility in his skill set.

Blessed with terrific size (6-2 / 210), Graham has a nose for the football. Each individual season has peeled back another layer to his repertoire. In 2013, he started three games at receiver than in 2014 led the team in tackles (97). In 2015, he finished second in the MVFC and ranked 29^th nationally in interceptions per game with four picks in 11 games showing his back end capability. His final season at South Dakota, Graham had three sacks, five tackles-for-loss along with three more quarterback hurries. The combination combined ranked him third on the Coyotes’ defense.

Graham is a true height-weight prospect with natural athletic ability, who displays good range, burst and closing speed. Versatility is a calling card of his overall resume on the field showing up and succeeding in all facets of playing defense. His special team production will add value to his draft stock. Overall, Graham is a very instinctive play making safety that excels when things are in front of him. Gridiron Showcase invitation should be a critical piece to his draft puzzle. NFL Scouts will get a good face-to-face with the Coyotes’ former safety.