Ray Graham: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Pittsburgh RB

Ray Graham looks to become the next Pittsburgh running back to get drafted, joining the likes of LeSean McCoy, Dion Lewis and Rashad Jennings.

While Graham may not be quite as talented as the other Pittsburgh running backs, he still has plenty of potential to be an impact player in the NFL. He's got a good combination of speed, vision and elusiveness to make a contribution early in his career.

Let's take a look at five things you need to know about Ray Graham. 

Background

Full Name: Raymond E. Graham

Birthday: September 18, 1990

Hometown: Elizabeth, New Jersey

High School: Elizabeth High School

Major: Communication

Year: Senior

Graham was a four-year letterman while in high school. He excelled in each of his four seasons before choosing the University of Pittsburgh over Rutgers and Maryland.

Statistics

What's impressive about Ray Graham is that he really did have an impact in each of his four seasons at Pittsburgh. He had a career yards per carry average of 5.5 and rushed for nearly 3,300 yards during his career.

Graham suffered a torn ACL during the 2011 season, but bounced back nicely in his final season to have his best statistical year while at Pittsburgh.

YEAR	ATT	YDS	YDS/ATT	REC	YDS	TD
2009	61	349	5.7	8	46	4
2010	148	922	6.2	24	213	10
2011	164	958	5.8	30	200	9
2012	222	1042	4.7	36	340	13

All statistics courtesy of Sports-Reference.com.

Draft Process

Measurables

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 199 lbs.

Arm Length:  30-1/4"

Hand Size: 9-5/8"

Combine Results

40-yard dash: 4.80 seconds

Bench press: 18 reps

Vertical jump: 32.5"

Broad jump: 112"

3 cone drill: 7.17 seconds

20-yard shuttle: 4.21 seconds

60-yard shuttle: 11.63 seconds

Pro Day results

40-yard dash: 4.70 seconds

One of Ray Graham's biggest strengths was thought to be his speed. However, he failed to display that speed at the combine or his pro day. 

None of his other performances during drills really stood out, either.

All combine results courtesy of NFL.com.

All pro day results courtesy of WalterFootball.com.

Interesting Facts

It's easy to say you come from a football family, but in Ray Graham's case he really does. 

Not only does Graham play football, but his father, Raymond Graham, played football at Purdue. He also has two uncles (Malik and Jamil Jackson) who played football at Rutgers.

His brother, and future pick of the 2013 NFL draft, Khaseem Greene, is a linebacker at Rutgers.

Observations

LeSean McCoy, a former Pittsburgh running back, is one of the best running backs in the NFL. Dion Caputi of National Football Post feels that McCoy and Ray Graham have a similar skill set:

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#Pittsburgh RB Ray Graham has drawn some loose comparisons to Shady McCoy. Similar sort of skill set. Unofficial 4.72, but he's quick.

— Dion Caputi (@nfldraftupdate) February 24, 2013

 

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Ryan Lownes of Bleacher Report gives us some interesting information concerning Graham's family tree:

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Here's a great "did you know": RB Ray Graham is the younger brother of #Rutgers LB Khaseem Greene.

— Ryan Lownes (@ryanlownes) April 16, 2013

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