In an effort to narrow down his options, 2022 Stranahan (FL) 3-star LB Omar Graham released a list of his top 10 schools in late February. However, in the past month or so, Graham’s profile has continued to grow, and he put out a new top 7 list today that included Miami, Auburn, Florida State, Michigan, Penn State, Oregon, and UCF.
“Some new schools came into the picture, so after learning more about them, I became more interested - Michigan, Auburn, and Oregon are the new schools I’m talking to the most,” Graham said about why he cut his list. “All the schools are equal right now, so I’m just going to keep asking questions and doing virtual visits. They all have a lot of tradition and history, and great coaching staffs.”
Assuming the NCAA opens up visits when the dead period ends at the end of May, Graham has already set an official visit date to Auburn for the weekend of June 11th, and is talking with the Wolverines’ staff about setting an official visit for the weekend of June 4th. It’s clear these new programs have given Graham something to think about, as he also recently pushed back his planned decision date as well.
"I’ll decide sometime in the summer," Graham said. "I know I set a commitment date on my birthday (April 16th) but I pushed that back because it’s too soon. With the new programs coming into the picture, I want to learn all about these new programs to make sure I make the right decision.”
Of course, the local Miami Hurricanes have been a program that have been pushing for Graham since January, and the Canes appear to be getting a visit from the Stranahan star soon as well.
“When the dead period opens up, I’m going to try to go for an unofficial on my own,” Graham said of UM. “My dad loves the school, it’s close to home, and I like the culture there, there’s a lot of great players going there. I want to learn more about the program and get closer to the staff.”
Miami’s staff has put the full-court press on Graham lately, as he has heard from various UM defensive coaches like DeMarcus Van Dyke, Jonathan Patke, and Travaris Robinson, as well as head coach Manny Diaz himself.
“I know he’s a defensive guy, so that means a lot, because I play linebacker,” Graham said of Diaz. “I’m feeling like a priority. Not only does my position coach check up on me, but it’s also the corners coach and other people from the staff check up on me.”
While Graham has yet to physically visit UM’s campus, he was able to do multiple virtual tours guided by the Miami coaches.
“Coach Patke gave me a virtual visit when I was out of town for a tournament and coach (David) Cooney showed me around part of the school on FaceTime,” Graham said. “It was nice, he showed me the areas around the campus. I just like the way the campus looks and it’s close to home.”
In terms of factors that will be important to him when making a commitment, the Stranahan star has a well-thought out list of preferences he will be using to evaluate potential suitors.
“I’ll be looking for a great relationship with the coaches, a place where I can feel at home, great academics, a place where they will develop me, and just to be around people I can trust.”
In 5 games played for Mighty Dragons during the 2020 season, Graham posted 38 tackles, 11 TFL, 9 sacks and a FR.
“Some new schools came into the picture, so after learning more about them, I became more interested - Michigan, Auburn, and Oregon are the new schools I’m talking to the most,” Graham said about why he cut his list. “All the schools are equal right now, so I’m just going to keep asking questions and doing virtual visits. They all have a lot of tradition and history, and great coaching staffs.”
Assuming the NCAA opens up visits when the dead period ends at the end of May, Graham has already set an official visit date to Auburn for the weekend of June 11th, and is talking with the Wolverines’ staff about setting an official visit for the weekend of June 4th. It’s clear these new programs have given Graham something to think about, as he also recently pushed back his planned decision date as well.
"I’ll decide sometime in the summer," Graham said. "I know I set a commitment date on my birthday (April 16th) but I pushed that back because it’s too soon. With the new programs coming into the picture, I want to learn all about these new programs to make sure I make the right decision.”
Of course, the local Miami Hurricanes have been a program that have been pushing for Graham since January, and the Canes appear to be getting a visit from the Stranahan star soon as well.
“When the dead period opens up, I’m going to try to go for an unofficial on my own,” Graham said of UM. “My dad loves the school, it’s close to home, and I like the culture there, there’s a lot of great players going there. I want to learn more about the program and get closer to the staff.”
Miami’s staff has put the full-court press on Graham lately, as he has heard from various UM defensive coaches like DeMarcus Van Dyke, Jonathan Patke, and Travaris Robinson, as well as head coach Manny Diaz himself.
“I know he’s a defensive guy, so that means a lot, because I play linebacker,” Graham said of Diaz. “I’m feeling like a priority. Not only does my position coach check up on me, but it’s also the corners coach and other people from the staff check up on me.”
While Graham has yet to physically visit UM’s campus, he was able to do multiple virtual tours guided by the Miami coaches.
“Coach Patke gave me a virtual visit when I was out of town for a tournament and coach (David) Cooney showed me around part of the school on FaceTime,” Graham said. “It was nice, he showed me the areas around the campus. I just like the way the campus looks and it’s close to home.”
In terms of factors that will be important to him when making a commitment, the Stranahan star has a well-thought out list of preferences he will be using to evaluate potential suitors.
“I’ll be looking for a great relationship with the coaches, a place where I can feel at home, great academics, a place where they will develop me, and just to be around people I can trust.”
In 5 games played for Mighty Dragons during the 2020 season, Graham posted 38 tackles, 11 TFL, 9 sacks and a FR.
