Michigan Football: Two former Wolverines earn Pro Bowl bids

There were two former Michigan football players who earned Pro Bowl invitations on Monday and for Brandon Graham, it was his first time.

Brandon Graham is known among Michigan football fans as one of the best players in the Rich Rod era and now, he’s also another former Wolverine to make his way to the Pro Bowl.

Graham has put together a spectacular NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles after being a first-round pick of the club back in 2010. Graham has notched 58 career sacks, including seven this season and won a Super Bowl title back in 2017, when the Eagles beat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Graham forced the fumble late that clinched the win. That moment was one of his career highlights. Another came in 2016, when he earned All-Pro honors, but following his seven sacks in 14 games, Graham was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2020.

Since the Eagles have been struggling and probably won’t make the playoffs, it’s probably going to be the high point of the season for Graham, who also has 42 tackles to his credit, as well as 12 tackles for loss and 14 quarterback hits.

Another former Wolverine heading to Pro Bowl

However, Graham won’t be the only former Michigan football player headed to the Pro Bowl, even though the game isn’t going to be played and it’s not the name you might think — it’s defensive end Frank Clark, who is going back for a 2nd straight year.

Clark was a second-round pick of Seattle back in the 2015 NFL draft but eventually, he made his way to Kansas City and last season, Clark won a Super Bowl with the Chiefs as he had eight sacks and 14 quarterback hits last season.

That earned Clark a Pro Bowl selection in 2019 and this season, he was recognized again as one of the NFL’s best pass rushers following five sacks and 12 quarterbacks hits so far this season.

The most well-known Wolverine in the NFL, Tom Brady didn’t make it but Brady has been much better than people are giving him credit for. He’s completing 65 percent of his throws and has led Tampa Bay to a 9-5 record. He’s also thrown 32 touchdowns and passed for 3,800 yards.

Yes, Brady has thrown 11 interceptions and is only three away from a career high in that category, but still, Tom has been plenty terrific and will be back in the postseason.