Freshman Fall Factors: DT Kenneth Grant

Michigan's early enrollees have gotten a lot of attention, and rightfully so. As we get closer and closer to fall camp, we are going to take a look at some of the incoming freshmen who may have been forgotten. Players who despite not being a part of spring camp have an opportunity to see the field as a freshman in 2022.

Kenneth Grant is a big defensive tackle out of Merrillville, Indiana. Rivals rated him a 3-star who was rising late in the process. He may not have gotten the national attention he deserved, but in the Midwest Grant was in a Michigan, Ohio State, and Wisconsin battle for picking the Wolverines not long after his official visit.

Grant played both ways at Merrillville, playing guard along with defensive tackle. Grant is raw, but an unreal athlete. Despite being 6'5" 340lbs, he is agile, quick with his feet, and has a good burst that allows him to pursue ballcarriers.

His senior year stat line is like something from a create a player mode in a video game. He had 38 tackles, with 14.5 for loss and 6.5 sacks, and also forced four fumbles with two recoveries. He flashed his athletic ability throughout the year as well with two passes defended and blocked four field goals, two punts, and two extra points. You can see an interception he was able to pull in below.

Michigan has been recruiting players that play well on both sides of the ball for a while now. They have also favored multi-sport athletes, including players who excel at track and field. Grant isn't just big, he is strong, and he showed that strength competing in the shot put for Merrillville.

Grant is in a very similar position to our previous Fall Factor, Jimmy Rolder. Both players are raw and will need some time to become consistent contributors on the field, but both are so physically advanced and such gifted athletes, it is going to be almost impossible to keep them off the field.

READ: Freshman Fall Factors: LB Jimmy Rolder

Grant gives Michigan something it does not currently have in a true nose, but that is underselling his abilities. He can definitely fill gaps in the run game, but he has enough mobility, strength, and burst to put pressure on the quarterback and impact the stretch run game. Again, he is a raw prospect so he is going to have to improve upon the different levels of his game, but I have no reason to think he won't and when he does, he is going to be an absolute force in the middle of this defense.

Heading into the 2022 season, Grant can still dig out a role for himself as a freshman. The inside will be led by senior Mazi Smith, who is expected to take a big leap this year. Four redshirt freshmen in Rayshaun Benny, George Rooks, Ike Iwunnah, and Dominick Giudice all look to factor into the two-deep, as well as early enrollee freshman Mason Graham. None of them however have the size and strength combo of Grant. Grant will obviously have to fight for playing time, but I would not be shocked to see him have a role in Michigan's short-yardage defense and big packages like at the goal line. He is an intriguing long-term prospect, no doubt, but he is a force that will find the field this year.

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