Tag: Jalen Graham

49ers re-sign familiar face at linebacker

The 49ers drafted Graham out of Purdue in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft.

A familiar face is set to return to the San Francisco 49ers’ linebacking core. On Tuesday, the team announced the signing of second-year linebacker Jalen Graham.

Graham was a seventh-round pick of the 49ers out of Purdue in the 2023 edition of the NFL draft. After spending training camp with the 49ers, Graham was waived by the 49ers. The former Purdue linebacker then signed with former 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters and the Washington Commanders.

On Monday, the 49ers signed Graham to the active 53-man roster off of the Commanders practice squad.

Via @49ers on Twitter:

Graham played in four games for the 49ers last season, recording one tackle in his rookie season.

With Dre Greenlaw and Curtis Robinson sidelined and Fred Warner dealing with an injury, Graham will provide some depth to the 49ers linebacking core alongside De’Vondre Campbell, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Dee Winters and Tatum Bethune.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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49ers lose 4 players, including 2 promising rookies, to other teams

After spending camp in Santa Clara, a pack of four former 49ers were claimed through waivers on Wednesday.

Following the final wave of cuts on deadline day, players went through the waiver process on Wednesday before becoming free agents. After the 53-player cutdown day on Tuesday, four former members of the San Francisco 49ers landed with new teams, including three players being claimed on Wednesday.

Rookies Jarret Kingston and Cody Schrader were claimed, along with former starting defensive back Samuel Womack. Kingston and Schrader each flashed in the preseason. Kingston was claimed by the Carolina Panthers and former Missouri All-American running back Schrader landed with the division rival Los Angeles Rams. Womack was claimed by the Colts.

Via @MaioccoNBCS on Twitter:

 

Along with losing Kingston, Womack and Schrader, the 49ers will also be without linebacker Jalen Graham. According to Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle, the Washington Commanders have claimed Graham. Graham was drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft out of Purdue.

Via @Eric_Branch on Twitter:

As final rosters are still being finalized with different moves, the 49ers were awarded no waiver claims on Wednesday.

 

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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49ers defense becoming second nature to 2 key pieces of team’s future

The second-year leap could be happening for a pair of San Francisco 49ers linebackers.

The San Francisco 49ers have been excellent at churning out quality linebacker play since head coach Kyle Shanahan arrived in 2017.

Fred Warner has developed into the NFL’s best off-ball LB, while players like Dre Greenlaw and Azeez Al-Shaair have developed to become to become high-quality starters. In Greenlaw’s case – a star.

As the page starts to turn on this iteration of the 49ers, finding new linebackers is going to be key to maintaining their defensive dominance. Warner is still outstanding and a First-Team All-Pro. Aside from that there’s no sure thing in the pipeline with Greenlaw and LB De’Vondre Campbell both set to hit free agency in 2025.

Two players who do factor into the future of the 49ers’ defense both seem to be coming along in their second seasons. 2023 sixth-round pick Dee Winters and 2023 seventh-round pick Jalen Graham both flashed in the preseason as rookies, but neither made a substantial on-field impact in the regular season.

Both players appear poised to make a leap in Year 2 according to defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen. He told reporters after Wednesday’s practice that San Francisco’s defense is becoming easier for Graham and Winters.

“Absolutely. Dee Winters plays fast. So does Jalen,” Sorensen said in a press conference. “The way to play fast is to know what you’re doing and to feel comfortable in that. And then you’re anticipating it. You have to learn a whole new system. It’s totally different in college. There’s a lot of differences. And then the details of what we do. So it’s understanding the differences in the offenses and then understanding the details of the defense. And once you start to grasp that, it starts to become second nature. Your brain is not slowing you down, then you can see that speed and you can fully cut it loose and that’s where they’re at. They’re taking that jump, both of them. It’s cool.”

Both players could be major factors in the 49ers’ defense in the future. Every step forward they take in this year’s training camp puts them on track to be a factor as early as this season.

There’s a starting SAM LB job open for San Francisco that either one of Winters or Graham could win. The SAM LB is only on the field in base packages, compared to the MIKE and WILL LBs who are on the field for virtually every down. De’Vondre Campbell is slated to start at the WLB spot.

Campbell was an All-Pro in 2021 for the Packers, but has seen his play decline some since then. He’s still a quality player who may regain his All-Pro footing playing alongside Warner. It’s not off the table though that the 31-year-old is on the backside of his prime and simply regressing as a player.

Both Graham and Winters could find their way into the starting lineup in 2024 if the latter of those outcomes comes true for Campbell.

That will all play itself out. The good news for the 49ers is that it looks like Winters and Graham are trending toward being NFL-caliber LBs. If that is the case, it would put San Francisco’s defense in a great position to continue dominating in the second level even as it goes through some changes.

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Arkansas hoops looks to even record on trip to College Station

Texas A&M is Arkansas’ all-time most-faced team, holding a 107-61 series advantage.

After falling below .500 for the first time in Head Coach Eric Musselman‘s tenure, the Arkansas basketball team (12-13, 3-9 SEC) will try to even its record again Tuesday night with a trip to Texas A&M.

The Razorbacks have lost three of their last four games, as Musselman continues to seeks ways to overcome injuries and inconsistent play on the court.

Arkansas was down two primary big men Saturday in a 71-67 loss at Mississippi State, after having the lead with a minute to play. Sophomore Trevon Brazile has remained out with a recurring knee injury since a loss to Ole Miss on Jan. 24. Senior Jalen Graham missed Saturday’s game with an inured shoulder, sustained in a loss to No. 8 Tennessee last Wednesday.

It is unknown if either player will return against the Aggies.

Texas A&M (15-10, 6-6 SEC) is Arkansas’ most-common opponent all-time in a series that dates back 100 years. In 168 previous meeting between the two schools, Arkansas has a 107-61 overall advantage, which gives them more wins against the Aggies than any other team.

The schools were each charter members of the now-defunct Southwest Conference from 1927-91, until the Razorbacks left for the Southeastern Conference, A&M joined them in the SEC in 2012.

Arkansas won this season’s first showdown in Fayetteville, 78-77, on junior Tramon Mark‘s buzzer beater, after the Hogs squandered a 20-point lead.

The Aggies are coming off of two losses, including a 74-73 defeat at Vanderbilt last Tuesday and Saturday’s 100-75 blowout to No. 15 Alabama.

Tuesday’s game will tip at 6 p.m. on ESPN.

The firm of Mitchell, Graham and Lawson putting in work for Razorbacks

Makhi Mitchell the complete package. Jalen Graham the scorer. Chandler Lawson, the enforcer. Arkansas needs all three.

The disappointment of Arkansas basketball’s 2023-24 season is clear. That doesn’t mean, though, all is awry.

Arkansas has to, basically, win the SEC Tournament in March to make a fourth straight NCAA Tournament and have a shot at extending its Sweet Sixteen run to four, as well. Odds are long. They’re not impossible.

A big reason why is the improved play of Arkansas’ big-man corps over the last two weeks. The center-forward trio of Makhi Mitchell, Chandler Lawson and Jalen Graham have found their best run of the year in Arkansas’ last few games and have helped the Hogs stave off the cellar.

If that sounds like a backhanded compliment, it is. Not toward Mitchell, Lawson and Graham, each of whom bring a different element to Arkansas’ front line.

Mitchell is the most complete of the three. In his second season with the Razorbakcs, the Rhode Island transfer’s numbers have dipped this season compared to last. Only Eric Musselman could tell you why last year’s starting center has found far fewer minutes this season.

Mitchell’s numbers are finding their way back up now. He’s played in 25 minutes or more each of the last four games while averaging almost 14 points and nine rebounds per game over that span and shooting a career-best 81% from the free-throw line. Toss in two assists a game and seven total blocks and he’s been the Hogs’ best player in February.

Graham is the offensive specialist. A player who never found a regular role in his first season from Arizona State, defense and rebounding held him back last year. Neither are exception this year, but good enough to earn more consistent minutes. His scoring touch, always the best of the three, has stayed strong, too, as he’s averaging double figures in his last three games.

Lawson is the defensive and rebounding specialist. His numbers have taken a dive with the emergence of Mitchell and Graham in recent weeks, but it’s not a slack on Lawson’s play, but instead a matchup thing with limited numbers to go around. Lawson is never going to fill it up – he has just one game in double figures – but coach Eric Musselman has counted on him for toughness and awareness in the paint as Lawson still leads all the bigs in minutes per game.

Whether their play of recent weeks is enough for Arkansas to dig at least somewhat out of its SEC hole remains to be seen. Either way, without them, the Hogs would have no chance.

Arkansas vs. LSU: How to watch, stream, listen, key players and more

Can the Eric Musselman’s Hogs start their first winning streak of SEC play when they face LSU today? Here’s how to catch all of the action.

The Arkansas Razorbacks (11-10, 2-6 SEC) have a golden opportunity to begin their first SEC winning streak of the season when they face the LSU Tigers (11-9, 3-4 SEC) later today.

Following the team’s 91-84 win over Missouri on Wednesday, the Hogs arrive in Baton Rouge with some newfound swagger and momentum that had been absent in their last eight contests.

[autotag]Tramon Mark[/autotag] looks to build off of another stellar offensive performance, where he eclipsed 20 points for the seventh tme this year. [autotag]Makhi Mitchell[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalen Graham[/autotag] are also coming off of arguably their best performances of the season.

Mitchell tied his career-high in points, 19, to go with 14 rebounds. It was his second straight double-double as he also notched 13 points and 12 rebounds in last Saturday’s loss to Kentucky.

Graham was extremely active on both ends of the floor on Wednesday and stuffed the stat sheet. He finished with 19 points, 4 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks, in what was easily his best defensive performance as a Hog.

The Pete Maravich Center in Baton Rouge hasn’t been the most friendly arena for the Razorbacks in recent years. They’ve only won one out of their last four games at LSU, the most recent one being last season’s disappointing 60-57 loss on the same night as the football team’s thrilling Liberty Bowl win over Kansas.

Entering Saturday’s game the Tigers are rested yet wounded as they’ve lost three straight games. Their last outing being a 109-88 blowout loss to Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

It’s a prime opportunity for the Razorbacks to get another win and here’s how you can watch, listen and stream all of the action.

Musselman pleased with recent performance of Mitchell, Graham and Lawson

Eric Musselman had nothing but praise for the trio of Makhi Mitchell, Jalen Graham and Chandler Lawson after team’s 91-84 win over Missouri.

[autotag]Arkansas basketball[/autotag] picked up a much-needed road win over Missouri on Wednesday night and avoided becoming the Tigers’ first victim in SEC play.

The win was, in large part, due to a dominant performance inside from the Hogs’ emerging “three-headed monster” of [autotag]Makhi Mitchell[/autotag], [autotag]Jalen Graham[/autotag] and [autotag]Chandler Lawson[/autotag]. Musselman singled all three out for their recent play following the 91-84 victory on Wednesday night.

“I think our three-headed bigs have been unbelievable,” Musselman said. “Chandler and Jalen and (Makhi) have been oustanding. Not good, but outstanding.”

The trio combined for 38 points and 18 rebounds, and helped Arkansas hold a 26-point advantage over Missouri when it came to points in the paint. Mitchell accounted for 19 points and 14 of the trio’s 18 rebounds. Graham had a phenomenal outing on the defensive end, recording four blocks and three steals to go with his 13 points.

“Jalen is looking at the rim and being super, super aggressive. He had four steals, four assists,” Musselman said. “Chandler continues to do the little things that might not show up in the box score. And (Makhi), when he plays like that, he’s as good as anybody in the country.”

While the team has been without forward Trevon Brazile the last two games, it’s been great to see the trio of Mitchell, Graham and Lawson step up and shine in their individual roles.

Wednesday night’s victory over a hapless, 0-8 SEC team like Missouri might not be the turnaround that spurs this team to the NCAA Tournament, but it could be the beginning of Arkansas salvaging what has been an abysmal season thus far. If they do start to salvage the season, it will be on the continual improvement from Mitchell, Graham and Lawson.

The Hogs will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to Baton Rouge to face the LSU Tigers. Tip-off is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on ESPN2.

Hogs put away pesky UNC-Wilmington behind Keyon Menifield Jr.’s 32 points

Arkansas was able to put away a pesky UNC-Wilmington behind an incredible offensive onslaught, led by Keyon Menifield’s 32-point performance.

It was an offensive showcase in Bud Walton Arena on Saturday evening as [autotag]Arkansas basketball[/autotag] was able to put away a very pesky UNC-Wilmington team, 106-90. With the win, the Hogs enter SEC play with a 9-4 record on the year.

Both teams showed minimal rust from their extended breaks in the first half as Arkansas shot 15-30 (50%) from the field and UNCW shot 18-33 (54.5%). The first half featured eight ties, eight lead changes and the Hogs appeared to have their hands full.

That was until they went on a late run to gain some much-needed breathing room at halftime, with a 48-42 lead.

The offensive onslaught from both teams continued into the second half, but [autotag]Eric Musselman[/autotag]’s squad was able to fend off any run that UNCW tried to put together. The Hogs led by as much as 19 late into the second half while also never letting the Seahawks get closer than four (59-55).

UNCW kept it around 10 for final stages of the second half and the Razorbacks capped off the win with a slam dunk from Jalen Graham, giving them the final tally of 106-90.

[autotag]Keyon Menifield Jr.[/autotag] was easily the star of the night, scoring 32 points on 8-14 shooting from the field, 3-7 shooting from 3-point land and 13-17 from the charity stripe. He added five assists, four rebounds and only three turnovers.

The Hogs had four other players in double-figures – [autotag]Tramon Mark[/autotag] (18), [autotag]Jalen Graham[/autotag] (16), [autotag]Devo Davis[/autotag] (14), and [autotag]Trevon Brazile[/autotag] (12). Brazile led the team with eight boards while Graham and Davis each had six apiece.

Arkansas is back in action next Saturday when they begin SEC play in Bud Walton Arena against the Auburn Tigers. Tip-off is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. and will be on ESPN2.

49ers 2023 rookie report card is mostly useless at halfway point

The #49ers rookie report card is … bare.

The 49ers didn’t pick until late in the third round of the 2023 draft. It didn’t seem like a big deal considering they still walked away with a nine-player class that had a chance to fill a couple of key needs.

There was never a realistic possibility the 49ers’ rookie class had a wide swath of contributors. However, the early returns from that group can’t even be labeled as “not promising” because the reality is a vast majority of the players haven’t had any chance to make a real contribution.

We went through the rookie class and dished out “grades” for their first half performances. It won’t take long to notice a pattern:

Even with all the new faces, could Jalen Graham be Arkansas’ X-factor?

If Graham really has improved, Arkansas isn’t just good, but may be elite.

One of the most common complaints casual Arkansas basketball fans had last year was about how much playing time Jalen Graham had.

The 6-foot-10 forward, entering his second season with the Razorbacks after transferring from Arizona State, would explode offensively in one game, then barely get off the bench in five of the next six. To the average fan, it made little sense.

Those paying attention to both ends of the floor and those who listened to coach Eric Musselman’s press conferences knew. Graham was not exactly known for his work ethic. His defense was poor and his rebounding was a regular mark of negative note by his coach.

Based off the offseason, those habits have changed for the better, Musselman said.

“Jalen Graham’s practice habits are dramatically different than last year. Dramatically,” Musselman said. “He’s done an incredible job of understanding expectations and then following through on his part.”

Graham averaged 5.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 9.4 minutes over 31 games last season. Against Florida on February 18, he scored 26 points in 27 minutes on 12 of 15 shooting. The next game, he scored eight in 18 minutes then he played just 33 minutes over the next seven games.

Given the six players expected in Arkansas’ rotation from the transfer portal, if Graham wanted to increase his minutes, he knew he had to have better habits and a better attitude.

He thinks he has developed.

“I want to be one of the guys who contributes to a March run more than I did last year,” Graham said. “Watching from the sideline wasn’t good for me. That’s not who I am. I want to help us win a lot of games.”