Roger Graham (American football)

Last updated

Roger Graham
No. 34
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born: (1972-11-08) November 8, 1972 (age 51)
Bronx, New York, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:187 lb (85 kg)
Career information
High school: Spring Valley (NY)
College: New Haven
Undrafted: 1995
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:1
Player stats at PFR

Roger Alton Graham (born November 8, 1972) is a former American football running back who played one season in the National Football League (NFL) for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys in 1995, following a career at University of New Haven where he won the 1993 Harlon Hill Trophy.

Contents

Early life and college career

Graham was born on November 8, 1972, in Bronx, New York. He attended Spring Valley High School before playing college football at University of New Haven. He gained 389 yards his senior season of high school as a fullback, and was recruited to New Haven as a linebacker. [1] He convinced the team to put him at tailback, and made an immediate impact when started, setting the all-time school record for single-game rushing yards, with 262 in a 30–31 loss vs. Shippensburg. [2] [3] A week later, he earned rookie of the week honors after a 251-yard performance against Southern Connecticut in a 60–64 loss. [4] He split time as tailback in his freshman season, but still managed to rack up 942 yards, a school record at the time. [5] He also scored eight touchdowns on 161 rushes, achieving 5.9 yards per carry.

Graham earned an increased role in his sophomore year, and broke the single-season New Haven record for rushing yards. Sports Illustrated named him player of the week after he recorded 298 rushing yards and five touchdowns (90, 61, 46, 46, 4) on 18 carries, with an average of over 16 per carry. [6] By September 12 he averaged over 210 yards rushing per game, leading the NCAA Division II. [6] By just four games played in the 1992 season, Graham had over 725 rushing yards on just 77 carries, averaging 9+ yards per. [7] He had 200 yards and two touchdowns in an 80–26 victory over Virginia Union on September 26. His coach, Mark Whipple, commented, "We want to put the football in Roger's hands 20 times a game. He is a game breaker. People bounce off him and then he has the speed to outrun other players. He's a combination of speed and power." [8] He also called Graham "the most talented back I've ever been around in coaching." [8] An article by The Journal News wrote, "The thought of an improved Graham is scary. He's already New Haven's second-leading career rusher, just four games into his sophomore year." [8]

Graham would become the school's all-time leading rusher in his fifth sophomore appearance, following a 192-yard game against Central Connecticut. [9] By his fifteenth overall appearance, Graham averaged over 120 yards rushing per game. [9] He helped the school achieve its sixth consecutive 1992 win following a performance that included 236 yards rushing, and three touchdowns, against American International. [10] In the game he became the first New Haven player to top 1,000 single-season yards, as well as the 20th New England player to reach 2,000+ total career yards. [10] He was named Division II honor role after carrying 17 times for 140 yards with two touchdowns, helping New Haven win its ninth game of the year. [11] He would finish the season with 1,717 rushing yards, helping New Haven make the playoffs and break the record previously set by him in the last year by 775. [5] The 1,717 yards was enough to lead the entire Division II as well as give him first-team Little All-American honors. [12] He finished third in Division II scoring with 22 touchdowns.

In his junior season, Graham would rack up over 1,600 yards, being rated one of the county's top running backs. In the third game of the season, against Clarion, Graham recorded 223 rushing yards on 21 carries, averaging over 10 yards per and helping New Haven rank 3rd nationally. On each of New Haven's scoring drives in the 35–23 victory, Graham made an important contribution. In the first, he made a 32–yard rush, setting up his one-yard rushing score; in the second, he scored his first career receiving touchdown, from 19 yards out, thrown by Jim Weir; over 60 of the yards gained in their third drive were gained by Graham; he ran for 52 yards in the fourth, later scoring on a one-yard rush; he also scored the touchdown in their fifth and final score, on a 2–yard rush set up by his 14–yard run. [13] Graham finished the year with 21 consecutive 100+ yard games. [14]

On ceremonies held on December 10, 1993, Graham was awarded the Harlon Hill Trophy, given to the best player in Division II, after beating out finalists Tyrone Rush and Jamie Pass. [14] He was given the honor despite not having started a single game all season, as senior back A. J. Livingstone was given the starting role each game. [14] His coach Mark Whipple said, "He's (Graham) better than the other guy. It's just that the other guy is a senior ... Roger will definitely be the man next year." [14] Whipple also said, "Next year, he's going to be the man. He has a chance to break every single record." [15] He became the first and only New Haven winner, following a season that included 1,687 rush yards, an average of 13.6 points scored per game, and an average of 9.2 yards per carry. [14] In the finalist voting, Graham received 35 first-place votes, and 165 total points. [14] At the time, the 165 points were the second-highest total in the history of the award. [14] His school finished the season undefeated, compiling a 10–0 record before being eliminated in the playoff quarterfinals. In addition, Graham was named to the Little All-American team for the second consecutive year. [16]

Following his award-winning junior season, Connecticut governor Lowell Weicker declared February 2, 1994, "Roger Graham Day". [17] His hometown of Spring Valley, New York did the same on June 1. [17] His teammates nicknamed him "Harlon" after his winning of the Harlon Hill Trophy. "The guys have nicknamed me 'Harlon.' It doesn't bother me," said Graham in a 1994 interview. [5]

He went from averaging 15 carries per game in his previous seasons to nearly 28 per game in the 1994 season. [5] In the first game of the season, a 38–6 victory against Bloomsburg, Graham recorded over 200 rushing yards and three scores in the 21st consecutive New Haven regular season victory. [18] An Indiana coach commented on Graham, "There is the run-and-shoot and then there is the run-and-shoot with Roger Graham ... Graham is certainly outstanding." [19] When the New Haven Chargers played Indiana, ranked no. 2 nationally, they won on a late field goal at the end of the fourth quarter. Graham played an important role in the game, which had the biggest attendance in school history. [20] By October 27, Graham trailed only Walter Payton, one of his favorite players, as all-time Division II scorer. [21] "I had a video of Payton that I watched all the time when I came to New Haven," he said. [21] "My style is to make the initial contact, bounce off the tackle and then make something happen." [21] "That's the way Payton ran," coach Tony Sparano said. [21] "Like Payton, Roger has the speed once he gets into the secondary to run away from people." [21]

With three games remaining in the 1994 season, Graham needed 55 points to break the all-time points record in Division II, 65 for all divisions; five touchdowns to set the Division II record, 12 all divisions; 778 yards to break all divisions record for rushing yards; and three 100-yard games to tie the all divisions record. [22] He had rushed for 1,197 yards and 15 touchdowns by that point. [22] Graham finished the season with 1,607 yards on 278 carries, a 5.8 average with 17 scores. [23] He finished no. 1 in the state of Connecticut for rushes, yards, touchdowns and yards per game (160.7). [23] He finished his career with 5,953 yards, fifth all-time in the NCAA. He was a 2000 inductee to the New Haven Chargers Hall of Fame. [24]

Professional career

Graham did not have an injury until his final college game, but "the timing couldn't have been worse", as it affected his combine statistics and made his draft projection go from round 3 to undrafted. [25] "Coming out of a small school, it hurts," he said. [25] "It doesn't look good to be in a small school and be in the predicament I'm in now." [25] He was ranked by Mel Kiper as the 34th rated running back in the draft.

He would end up going unselected, being signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys. He recorded 15 carries for 66 yards in two preseason games before being released. [5] [26] In February 1996, he was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars. [27] He appeared in one game with the Jaguars, becoming the fourth New Haven attendee to play professionally. [28] [29] It would be his only career game.

Related Research Articles

Corey James Dillon is an American former football running back who played for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots. Dillon played college football for the Washington Huskies and was selected by the Bengals in the second round of the 1997 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roger Craig (American football)</span> American football player (born 1960)

Roger Timothy Craig is an American former football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders and Minnesota Vikings. Craig went to four Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowls with the 49ers. Craig was the first NFL player to have 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season. Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey are the only other players to have accomplished that feat. He currently works as the VP of Business Development at TIBCO Software.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gale Sayers</span> American football player (1943–2020)

Gale Eugene Sayers was an American professional football halfback and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). In a relatively brief but highly productive NFL career, Sayers spent seven seasons with the Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1971, though multiple injuries effectively limited him to five seasons of play. He was known for his elusiveness and agility and was regarded by his peers as one of the most difficult players to tackle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LaDainian Tomlinson</span> American football player (born 1979)

LaDainian Tarshane Tomlinson is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. After a successful college football career with the TCU Horned Frogs, the San Diego Chargers selected him as the fifth overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft. He spent nine years with the Chargers, earning five Pro Bowl appearances, three Associated Press first-team All-Pro nominations, and two NFL rushing titles. Tomlinson was also voted the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2006 after breaking the record for touchdowns in a single season. He played two further seasons with the New York Jets, before retiring. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercury Morris</span> American football player (born 1947)

Eugene Edward "Mercury" Morris is an American former professional football player who was a running back and kick returner. He played for eight years, primarily for the Miami Dolphins, in the American Football League (AFL) as a rookie in 1969 then in the American Football Conference (AFC) following the 1970 merger with the National Football League (NFL).

Leslie Barley is a former Arena Football League fullback and linebacker. In a career lasting ten years, he played for the Charlotte Rage, the Connecticut Coyotes, the Tampa Bay Storm, the Grand Rapids Rampage and the Milwaukee Mustangs. He played college football at Winston-Salem State University. He was named First Team All-Arena in 1995 and Second Team All-Arena in 1998.

Kory Gerren Sheets is a former American football running back. He played college football at Purdue and he was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. Sheets was also a member of the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers and Oakland Raiders of the NFL and the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walter Payton</span> American football player (1953–1999)

Walter Jerry Payton was an American professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears. Nicknamed "Sweetness", he is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time.

Lorenzo Maurice White is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Oilers (1988–1994) and Cleveland Browns (1995). He was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1992, recording his best season with 1,226 rushing yards and 1,867 yards from scrimmage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marv Hubbard</span> American football player (1946–2015)

For the career criminal of the same name, see Battle of Alcatraz

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Smith (running back)</span> American football player (born 1981)

Jonathan McKenzi Smith was an American football player for the Amsterdam Admirals. Lives in Cypress, CA.

Gordon Carl Lockbaum is an American former college football player, who was a standout two-way player in NCAA Division I-AA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stefan Logan</span> American gridiron football player (born 1981)

Stefan Logan is an American former professional football player who was a running back and special teamer in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Miami Dolphins of the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at the University of South Dakota. Logan has also played for the BC Lions, Montreal Alouettes, and Ottawa Redblacks in the CFL, and the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions of the NFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Strong</span> American football player

Elmer Kenneth Strong was an American professional football player who was a halfback and fullback. He also played minor league baseball. Considered one of the greatest all-around players in the early decades of the game, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1957 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967 and was named to the NFL 1930s All-Decade Team.

The 1947 Wisconsin Badgers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Wisconsin in the 1947 Big Nine Conference football season. The team compiled a 5–3–1 record and finished in second place in the Big Nine Conference. Harry Stuhldreher was in his 12th year as Wisconsin's head coach. The team was ranked No. 9 in the AP Poll before losing to Michigan on November 15, 1947. The team averaged 280.1 yards per game of total offense, 205.9 yards per game by rushing, and 74.2 by passing.

Jonas Randolph is a former American football player who won the Harlon Hill Trophy in December 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1892 Yale Bulldogs football team</span> American college football season

The 1892 Yale Bulldogs football team represented Yale University in the 1892 college football season. In its fifth and final season under head coach Walter Camp, the team finished with a 13–0 record and outscored opponents by a total of 429 to 0. Mike Murphy was the team's trainer. The team is regarded as the 1892 national champion, having been selected retrospectively as such by the Billingsley Report, Helms Athletic Foundation, Houlgate System, National Championship Foundation, and Parke H. Davis. Yale's 1892 season was part of a 37-game winning streak that began with the final game of the 1890 season and stopped at the end of the 1893 season.

The 1962 Boston College Eagles football team represented Boston College as an independent during the 1962 NCAA University Division football season. The team compiled an 8–2 record and outscored opponents by a total of 250 to 123.

The 1949 Trinity Hilltoppers football team was an American football team that represented Trinity College of Hartford, Connecticut, as an independent during the 1949 college football season. In their 15th season under head coach Dan Jessee, the Hilltoppers compiled a perfect 8–0 record, shut out four of eight opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 312 to 38.

Jaleel McLaughlin is an American football running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Notre Dame College and Youngstown State and is the NCAA's all-time leading rusher.

References

  1. Hersch, Hank. "Mowing 'Em Down". Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com.
  2. "New Haven loses 31-30 despite Graham". Hartford Courant . November 17, 1991 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  3. "Odds and ends". Hartford Courant . November 17, 1991 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  4. Kryger, John (November 28, 1991). "Lipetz shines for Rutgers". The Journal News via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Fuller, Jim (July 17, 2012). "NEW HAVEN 200: Roger Graham rewrites New Haven football record book". New Haven Register.
  6. 1 2 "SI names Graham player of the week". Hartford Courant . September 15, 1992 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  7. Drummond, Steve (September 27, 1992). "Graham blossoms into a college grid star". The Journal News via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  8. 1 2 3 Drummond, Steve (September 27, 1992). "Graham blossoms into a college grid star (continued)". The Journal News via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  9. 1 2 "Graham breaks school record". The Journal News . October 4, 1992 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  10. 1 2 "Graham, New Haven romp over AIC, 66-7". The Journal News . October 18, 1992 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  11. "Untitled". The Journal News . December 13, 1992 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  12. "Untitled". The Journal News . December 27, 1992 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  13. Anderson, Woody (September 19, 1993). "Graham rushes for 223 yards as New Haven wins". Hartford Courant via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Graham tops Rush, Pass for 'Harlon Hill'". The Bradenton Herald . December 11, 1993 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  15. Newberry, Paul (December 11, 1993). "Graham wins Hill Trophy". Indiana Gazette via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  16. "Bargiel, Paskas are All-Americans". The Record . December 17, 1993 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  17. 1 2 "1) Roger Graham plays here". Hartford Courant . August 26, 1994 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  18. "Graham blasts for 205 yards; New Haven tops Bloomsburg". The Journal News . September 2, 1994 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  19. Balint, Bill (September 16, 1994). "Indians geared up for run-and-shoot". Logansport Pharos-Tribune via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  20. Yantz, Tom (September 18, 1994). "New Haven rallies to beat No. 2 Indiana". Hartford Courant via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 Smith, George (October 27, 1994). "Running With Payton". Hartford Courant via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  22. 1 2 Smith, George (October 27, 1994). "Payton-like Graham planned it that way". Hartford Courant via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  23. 1 2 Anderson, Woody (November 27, 1994). "What about future?". Hartford Courant via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  24. "Roger Graham (2000) - Hall of Fame". University of New Haven Athletics.
  25. 1 2 3 Price, Terry (April 18, 1995). "All Graham Would Like Is Opportunity To Knock". courant.com.
  26. "Cowboys cut Graham". The Journal News . August 23, 1995 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  27. "Jaguars Sign RB Roger Graham". www.jaguars.com.
  28. "Roger Graham Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  29. "Roger Graham Stats". Pro Football Archives.