A Key Transfer For UCLA Football? Jamie Graham From Vanderbilt

by Nestor on Jul 18, 2011 4:01 AM PDT in Football

It appears that the UCLA football program is gaining a transfer, who may be able to contribute immediately during the upcoming season. According to Jeff Lockridge - Vanderbilt beat writer for The Tennessean - former Vanderbilt DB Jamie Graham is transferring into UCLA to attend graduate school and to play football.

Graham reportedly was a "fan favorite" for the Commodores and also a face for their program:

At 6-0, 170, Graham is also reportedly a great athlete who can potentially play a role in our return game and provide depth in our defensive backfield. Bruins can certainly use some help in that department. Also, as Gold noted, he could be helpful to our secondary given the Bruins had lost Courtney Viney to transfer during this past off-season.

Since Graham has reportedly graduated, he will most likely be able to play immediately but he will only have one season. Some additional notes on Graham after the jump.

Graham got moved around a lot in Vandy:

Graham, who also plays guard on the Vanderbilt basketball team, has 15 catches for 118 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also is very effective at running the ball, picking up 113 yards on 19 rushes. His biggest game this season was at Georgia on October 18. That day Graham caught 4 passes for 36 yards and two touchdowns. Both scores were leaping catches at almost the same spot in the end zone. He made another similar catch against Florida in Nashville.

The speedy athlete also has returned 8 punts for 40 yards for the 'Dores.

Yes, Graham can play a little bit of basketball. At SBN's Anchor of Gold, Graham was described as a defensive "stopper" at the point guard position. Although, I will be surprised if he gets to join Coach Howland's program in Westwood.

Graham as mentioned above was a popular athlete among Vandy fans and he was also known as an excellent representative of the Vandy football program off the field. Sounds like he is going to be great addition to our program.

Welcome to Westwood Jamie.

GO BRUINS.

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Comments

I have a warm spot for Vanderbilt.

Red Sanders, after all, came from Vandy.

by BrendonBruin on Jul 18, 2011 5:52 AM PDT reply actions

Recruiting Advantage of Great Grad Schools?

After last week’s discussion of “dumbed down” degrees as a recruiting advantage, we get a great STUDENT/athlete, apparently because we have strong grad schools.

Welcome Jamie — glad you’re here.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jul 18, 2011 8:02 AM PDT reply actions

Something tells me...

he doesn’t give a damn about the strength of the grad school.

by bruinM on Jul 18, 2011 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Considering

he’ll only get to play on year, I’d say he does actually give a damn.

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Jul 19, 2011 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions

one year, that is

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Jul 19, 2011 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Why would you say that?

There are perfectly good grad schools closer to home. It’s not as if UCLA football has a stellar rep nationwide. I’d assume he did pick UCLA because it had the grad program he wanted.

by Seth Chandler on Jul 19, 2011 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions

How can you not like this guy???

Now…IF he can just help the FB team.

by GogetemBruins on Jul 18, 2011 8:56 AM PDT reply actions

From the "Dores"...

to the “Doors” University.

by GogetemBruins on Jul 18, 2011 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions

Basketball

Highly doubt he’ll get back in to hoops. He only played a brief portion of his freshman year at Vandy before giving it up to focus entirely on football.

He brought that football mentality to the hardwood and was the embodiment of “hustle” while he was on the court. Was like a shutdown DB covering the other team’s point guard as they brought the ball up the court. It was a lot of fun to watch.

Anchor of Gold
Twitter: AOG/JAWiv
Facebook: AOG

by KingJamesIV on Jul 18, 2011 9:15 AM PDT reply actions

by gbruin on Jul 18, 2011 9:56 AM PDT reply actions

Where did Viney and Presley end up transferring?

by bruinhoya on Jul 18, 2011 2:44 PM PDT reply actions

What's not to like?

A starter at a SEC school, has a degree, and still wants to better himself. You’re at the right place Jamie, welcome to UCLA and I, for one, am glad that you’re here.

by SWC Bruin on Jul 18, 2011 10:16 PM PDT reply actions