Graham flashes the hands in one of the team's Fiesta Bowl practices.

"I remember thinking that I'm going to have to do a lot of lifting," Graham said. "He's a big guy. But he was real helpful with me. He gave me a few tips about how to get off the line and get open." Graham remembered everything and it's all paid off. The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder -- he's now bigger than Sharpe -- earned all-America honors after catching 51 passes for 753 yards and six touchdowns. He's also helped Colorado's tight side of the offensive line with Andre Gurode and Victor Rogers become one of the best in the nation.

"I take real pride in it," said Graham, who started games in each of his four years. "My tight end coach, Jon Embree, told me that if you want to be a great tight end you have to get down and block. Everyone knew I could catch the ball coming in, I just needed help on my blocking."

And it's his blocking that has caught the attention of not only sharp-eyed scouts, but also his peers and teammates.

"I've watched him on tape and he's an awesome player," said Oregon tight end Justin Peelle, a first-team all-Pac-10 selection. "I give the guy a lot of respect. He was good last year, but he wasn't nearly the player he is right now. He's the complete package."

Said Rogers, Colorado's All-American tackle who lines up next to Graham most every play, "To us he's a small offensive lineman and a fat wide receiver. He is able to give us a nice mix. He's a weapon that a lot of teams would kill for in this country."

Many teams would have back when he was 18, particularly the squad he'll be lining up against on Tuesday. His father, Tom, was a star linebacker for the Ducks in the late '60s and early '70s, and would have loved for his son to suit up for the place he not only played but also met Daniel's mother. Southern California and Arizona State were in the running for his services, as well, but Graham loved the idea of playing 40 minutes up the road from his home at the foothills of the Rockies.

"I grew up in Denver and I wanted to stay close to home so that my family could watch me every week," he said. "I liked Coach (Rick) Neuheisel when he was recruiting me. They threw the ball a lot, too."

	Daniel Graham has shown plenty of versatility in his four years at Boulder.

Neuheisel eventually left for Washington and Barnett came over from Northwestern, but that didn't change things for Graham, as all the current seniors decided to stick together and stay in Boulder.

Good thing he has. Without him, it's unlikely that the Buffaloes would have made such a miraculous run this year, or had pummeled Nebraska by 26 points (he had four catches for 112 yards and a TD to go with 14 dominant blocks). His presence as a receiver took the strain off Pesavento when he took over at quarterback for the injured Craig Ochs, particularly since the receiving corps had already been depleted by an early-season injury to senior John Minardi in the fifth game of the year. He was needed so much that he played through the pain of a broken rib.

"He's a warrior," said Pesavento when asked about it. "He's got so much heart -- so much respect and heart for this team. He would never let us down."

That's a common compliment given to this mature 23-year-old. Perhaps the biggest one he, or any tight end could receive is a comparison to perhaps the greatest player to ever play his position. Never mind this new breed of rail-thin tight ends that are more H-backs than anything. Graham resembles the ultimate old-schooler -- one whose name is emblazed on a trophy he now owns.

"His style of play, his relentlessness and being the complete package at tight end," said Barnett, "is a tribute to John Mackey." Even Shannon Sharpe can't take offense to that.

Marc Connolly is a senior writer for ABC Sports Online. He can be reached at marc.connolly@abc.com.