DRAFT PROFILE: BIO
The evolution of Kenneth Grant from an unheralded three-star recruit to a dominant force along Michigan's defensive front mirrors his trademark bull rush – steady, powerful, and ultimately impossible to ignore. After arriving in Ann Arbor as a raw 360-pound prospect, Grant reshaped his body and refined his technique while maintaining the freakish athleticism that made Michigan's staff view him as "a gift from the football gods." The Merrillville, Indiana native's junior campaign showcased his full potential, as he racked up 32 tackles, 6.5 TFLs and 3 sacks while earning Second-team All-Big Ten honors.
Grant's journey to the top of draft boards accelerated during Michigan's 2023 national championship run, where he emerged as more than just a space-eating nose tackle. His viral moment came against Penn State, chasing down running back Kaytron Allen from behind – a play that perfectly encapsulated his rare blend of mass and mobility. He followed that up with a junior season that saw him set Michigan's all-time record for pass breakups by a defensive lineman while anchoring one of college football's most dominant defensive fronts.
Beyond the highlight reel plays, Grant's sustained impact shows in the details – the consistent push on passing downs, the disciplined gap control, and the surprising range to make plays outside the tackle box. His combination of test numbers (4.95 forty at 339 pounds) and game film has scouts revisiting their initial projections of him as merely a two-down run stuffer.
SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS
- Athletic freak - made Feldman's list at #46 in 2022, he wrote "At 6-4, 360, he ran a sub-5.0 40, Jim Harbaugh told The Athletic this month. Ben Herbert, the UM strength coach who has trained more than his share of Freaks, said Grant has "incredible traits" and "is likely to be a No. 1 (Freak)" down the line if he applies himself."
- Impressive quick first step, putting immediate pressure on offensive linemen and quarterbacks
- Natural leverage advantage with compact frame and powerful base - excels at resetting the line of scrimmage in one-on-one situations
- Developed pass rush repertoire including swim, rip, club and spin moves - doesn't rely solely on bull rush despite power advantage
- Quick processor who recognizes blocking schemes and adjusts - particularly effective reading and defeating down blocks
- Active hands in passing lanes - school record holder for pass breakups by a defensive lineman shows awareness when rush stalls
- Three years of high-level production against elite competition - proven performer in biggest games and moments
- Special teams value as interior rusher on field goal block unit - blocked multiple kicks in high school showing natural timing
SCOUTING REPORT: SUMMARY
Grant's going to wreck shop in the right system. The film shows a defender who already dominates one-on-one blocks and has the raw tools to develop into a legitimate three-down force. What jumps off the screen is how he consistently wins the leverage battle against top competition – watch his work against Ohio State's interior line for evidence of his ceiling. The athleticism isn't just testing numbers; his pursuit angles and closing speed show up repeatedly in critical moments.
A 4-3 team running multiple fronts will maximize his skillset. Letting him shoot gaps on early downs while developing his pass rush would be the ideal development path. The flashes are there – his club-rip combination against Penn State was NFL-caliber, and his swim move is already polished enough to threaten guards. His ability to stack-and-shed while maintaining gap control will translate day one, but his pass rush upside separates him from typical nose tackles in this class.
The tape against Nebraska and USC really sealed it for me – this is a first-round talent who's barely scratched his ceiling. His combination of power at the point of attack and freakish closing speed creates mismatches against both power and zone blocking schemes. Watch his hand placement improve throughout the season; this is a player ascending at the right time who's shown he can dominate against NFL-caliber competition.
