Thomas Graham Jr. Bio
Thomas Graham Jr. (born June 26, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback who plays in the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Oregon, where he developed into one of the most productive defensive backs in the Pac-12 Conference. Graham was selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and has since spent time with the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the Baltimore Ravens.
Early Life and Background
Thomas Graham Jr. was born on June 26, 1999, in Rancho Cucamonga, California. He is the son of Thomas Graham Sr. and Tamisha Graham, and grew up in the Inland Empire region east of Los Angeles. His early years in Southern California exposed him to a strong youth football culture that helped shape his athletic foundation.
Graham initially attended Roosevelt High School in Corona, California, before transferring to Rancho Cucamonga High School in his hometown. The move allowed him to compete at a higher level and showcase the coverage skills that would later draw attention from college recruiters across the country.
During his high school career, Graham was recruited by several major college football programs, including Notre Dame and Nebraska. He committed to USC in July 2015 before de-committing the following summer. In December 2016, he committed to Oregon, a decision helped by the recruitment efforts of then-Ducks head coach Willie Taggart.
Path to American Football
Graham’s recruitment path reflected his standing as one of the more versatile defensive backs in his recruiting class. After opening himself back up following his de-commitment from USC, he weighed options from programs across multiple Power Five conferences before settling on Oregon, where the defensive scheme fit his skill set as a press-man corner.
That decision launched a college career that would turn him into a draft prospect. By the time he reached the NFL, Graham had already accumulated significant starting experience against top-tier Pac-12 passing attacks, providing a foundation for his transition to professional football.
Thomas Graham Jr. Career
Early Career at Oregon (2017–2020)
Graham arrived at Oregon and immediately earned a starting role as a true freshman in 2017. He started 12 of the Ducks’ 13 games that season and recorded 49 solo tackles along with three interceptions, signaling his readiness for top-level competition.
Across his Oregon career, Graham appeared in 40 games and registered 143 solo tackles, 39 assisted tackles, eight interceptions, and one forced fumble. As a sophomore in 2018, he posted 47 solo tackles and three interceptions, and he repeated the 47 solo-tackle mark as a junior in 2019 while adding two interceptions, one of which came in the 2020 Rose Bowl.
In September 2020, with the Pac-12 season in jeopardy due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Graham opted out of his senior year and declared for the 2021 NFL Draft. He later accepted an invitation to the January 2021 Senior Bowl, a stage that allowed him to prove himself against other top senior prospects.
Chicago Bears Era (2021–2022)
Graham was selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round, 228th overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on June 2, 2021, and was waived on August 31 before being re-signed to the practice squad the following day.
His NFL debut came on December 20, 2021, against the Minnesota Vikings after Chicago elevated him from the practice squad. Graham played every defensive snap in that game, finishing with seven tackles and three pass breakups, and was signed to the active roster the next day. He was waived by the Bears on August 30, 2022, and returned to the practice squad.
Cleveland Browns Era (2022–2023)
On September 13, 2022, Graham was signed by the Cleveland Browns off the Bears’ practice squad. He was waived on October 11 and re-signed to the practice squad, then promoted back to the active roster on October 31.
Graham’s time in Cleveland was cut short the following preseason. On August 4, 2023, he was waived/injured by the Browns and placed on injured reserve, and he was later released on November 28.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024)
On January 23, 2024, Graham signed a reserve/futures contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was waived on August 27 and re-signed to the practice squad before being released on October 29, 2024.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2025–Present)
Graham signed with the Baltimore Ravens on August 18, 2025. He was waived as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day, and he was later waived from the practice squad on September 3.
Notable Events and Milestones
Graham’s most memorable early professional moment came in his NFL debut against the Minnesota Vikings, where he logged seven tackles and three pass breakups while playing every defensive snap. That performance forced Chicago to keep him on the active roster and validated his draft selection.
Thomas Graham Jr. Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Thomas Graham Jr. is the son of Thomas Graham Sr. and Tamisha Graham. His parents supported his athletic development throughout his youth in the Inland Empire, and his family remained a steady presence as he moved through high school transfers and his eventual college commitment to Oregon.
2025 Season Performance
Graham entered the 2025 NFL season with the Baltimore Ravens after signing on August 18. He spent the early portion of the year moving between the active roster and practice squad as the Ravens shaped their secondary depth chart.
As the season progresses, Graham’s role with Baltimore will depend on health and performance within a deep cornerback room. His experience across multiple defenses in Chicago, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh gives him a flexible profile that special teams coordinators value.
Looking ahead, Graham’s path back to a sustained active-roster role will likely hinge on standout play on special teams and dependable depth contributions in the secondary, areas that have defined his professional journey since his December 2021 debut.