Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (78) celebrates after winning 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game against the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Kenneth Grant DL Michigan | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Kenneth Grant DL Michigan
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.95 seconds (51%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.0 DOB: 10/27/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | |
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.95 seconds (51%*) | |
| Age: 21.0 DOB: 10/27/2003 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 84.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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82% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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74% |
| Pass Rush: |
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78% |
| Run Defense: |
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88% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Late
Overall Rank:
#67
Position rank:
#15
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| College Games: 37 College Snaps: 981 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
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247 RATING: 90/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Byron Young - Alabama |
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91% |
| Mazi Smith - Michigan |
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85% |
| Kris Jenkins - Michigan |
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82% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Kenneth Grant hails from Merrillville, Indiana, where he was a standout at Merrillville High School. As a four-year starter, he helped his team to a 40-9 record and three consecutive regional titles. During his senior year, he contributed to the program's first undefeated regular season in nearly three decades. Grant was also a top-10 shot put thrower in school history.
At Michigan, Grant quickly made his mark, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2023. Over his two seasons, he appeared in 29 games, recording 29 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, five pass breakups, one interception, and one fumble recovery in 2023 alone. His versatility allowed him to play multiple positions along the defensive line, showcasing his potential as a disruptive force.
In his sophomore year, he appeared in all 15 games, starting five, and shared Defensive Player of the Week honors seven times. His standout performances included 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks against UNLV, an interception against Nebraska, and significant contributions in both the Big Ten Championship and the CFP National Championship.
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
- Effective in multiple defensive alignments, displaying versatility across the line
- Strong hand usage, consistently swatting away blockers and maintaining upper-body strength
- Powerful tackler with good burst and lateral agility, closing speed in the backfield
- High motor and pursuit speed, surprising for his size, allowing him to chase plays downfield
- Excellent run defender with the ability to anchor and hold his ground against double teams
- Disruptive in the backfield, capable of both single and two-gap techniques
- Adaptable to different NFL schemes, effective as a 3-technique in a 4-3 defense or as a DE in a 3-4
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Struggles with maintaining consistent pad level, which affects leverage
- Handling a full-time workload raises stamina concerns
- Can be heavy-footed on recovery when off-balance, affecting lateral movement
- Needs to develop a wider repertoire of pass-rush moves to succeed at the next level
- Occasionally narrows base off the snap, sacrificing control as a one-gapper
Scouting Report: Summary
Kenneth Grant is an athletic marvel who combines exceptional size, explosiveness, and raw power. His rare blend of physical traits, including running a sub-5.0 40-yard dash at 360 pounds, has generated significant buzz within the Michigan Wolverines program. Grant’s ability to disrupt the run game and collapse the pocket makes him a key addition to any NFL defensive front. His versatility allows him to excel in both 4-3 and 3-4 schemes, providing flexibility for defensive coordinators looking to maximize his impact.While concerns about his stamina and pad level persist, these are areas that can be addressed through experience. His effectiveness against double teams and ability to anchor against the run make him an enticing early-round target. Grant’s proficiency in both single and two-gap techniques further enhances his draft stock.
With his close to elite physical attributes and athletic prowess, Kenneth Grant has the potential to become a dominant force in the NFL. If he refines his technique and expands his pass-rush arsenal, he can develop into a disruptive presence on any defensive line, poised to make a significant contribution from day one.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
How other scouting services rate Kenneth Grant (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
25.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
5.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.