In 2024, Michigan may have the top defensive tackle tandem in the nation.
The Michigan Wolverines still have a lot of hope for the 2024 season on the defensive end of the ball, even though they lost a number of important players and assistant coaches following the 2023 campaign. The defensive line talent that Michigan will have back in juniors Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant is a major factor in that.
Wolverine supporters now have even more reason to be enthusiastic about Michigan’s defensive line in 2024 after Max Chadwick and Pro Football Focus named Graham and Grant among the top ten returning interior defensive lineman in the nation. Even better, Grant came in at number six on the list and Graham came in first.
Mason Graham entered Ann Arbor as a low four-star recruit, but since his freshman year in 2022, he has been a very productive part of Michigan’s defense, an amazing accomplishment given that he was surrounded by players like Mazi Smith and Kris Jenkins. Graham achieved the best PFF grade of any FBS true freshman in the nation in his debut season, 80.3. With increased playing time in 2023, he kept up his strong play, earning a spot on the coaches’ first team All-Big Ten and second team All-American teams.
With three sacks and 7.5 tackles for a loss in 2023, Graham used his strength and quickness to apparently break into rival backfields at will. Graham was one of just two defensive linemen in the country to rank in the top 10 for both run and pass defense, according to PFF. Such stats demonstrate that Graham is a formidable opponent, which adds to his value and solidifies his position as the best tackle in the country.
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In addition, Graham has been lauded by Chadwick as a possible candidate in the 2025 NFL Draft, with the coach drawing some impressive parallels between Graham and top prospects such as Jalen Carter and Quinnen Williams.
Conversely, Kenneth Grant was somewhat of a revelation in the previous year. Grant lived up to the rumors that he might be a breakout player in 2023 that we had been hearing all winter. In his sophomore season, Grant made the second team coaches and third team media All-Big Ten, recording five tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks in his first taste of extended playing time.
By wins over average, Grant was the sixth-best returning interior defensive lineman among the Power Five, according to PFF. With a 78.4 pass rushing grade, he demonstrated his ability to pressure the passer as well. His quickness and size (6-foot-3, 349 pounds) further enhance his appeal as a possible selection possibility. Oh, and he has the ability to pursue running backs downfield, as demonstrated by his play against Kaytron Allen of Penn State.
Michigan still has a strong chance to have the greatest defensive tackle tandem in the nation for the upcoming season, even without Jenkins on the field. By getting to the quarterback, Graham and Grant have both demonstrated the ability to impede passing attempts. Grant has the opportunity to get better in this area in 2023 with more playing time, but Graham has also been exceptional against the run throughout his career. Furthermore, both guys will be difficult for any offensive line to handle due to their unique blend of size, strength, and incredible quickness.
With these two studs in the mix, Michigan supporters should be thrilled about the defensive front’s potential in 2024, despite the fact that there may still be some doubts about the depth behind them.
