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 DT Michigan | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Kenneth Grant DT Michigan
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/07/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.95 seconds (82%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.3 DOB: 10/27/2003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | |
| Last Updated: 02/07/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.95 seconds (82%*) | |
| Age: 21.3 DOB: 10/27/2003 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 87.6 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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81% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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76% |
| Pass Rush: |
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81% |
| Run Defense: |
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90% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Mid
Overall Rank:
#19
Position rank:
#8
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| College Games: 39 College Snaps: 1051 | ||
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) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Travis Jones - UConn |
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71% |
| Devonte Wyatt - Georgia |
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66% |
| Levi Onwuzurike - Washington |
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64% |
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: Weaknesses
- Pad level rises too quickly off snap, negating natural leverage advantage and allowing blockers to get under his pads
- Needs to maximize length and extension - too often allows blockers into his frame rather than using arms to create separation
- Pass rush impact runs hot and cold - flashes dominance but can disappear for stretches when initial move is stopped
- Susceptible to reach blocks and outside zone - lateral agility doesn't match exceptional straight-line speed
- Weight management could be ongoing challenge - played between 339-360 pounds in college and effectiveness dipped at higher end
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.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
Kenneth Grant percentiles vs other Defensive Tackles (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Kenneth Grant (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
22.9
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.