The Michigan Wolverines weren’t able to repeat as national champions in 2024 after their majestic triumph in the 2023 College Football Playoff. Don’t blame the interior defensive line tandem of Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant.
Grant and Graham were almost inarguably the best defensive tackle combination in the nation. And with Grant’s recent pronouncement that he’s jumping to the NFL, there’s a conversation to be had about which is the better pro prospect of the two heavyweights.
As the “smaller” attacking tackle of the tandem, it’s easy to see Graham’s considerable upside. He’s ideally built for a 1-to-3 technique at 6-foot-3 and 320 listed pounds, with quick feet and a very powerful upper body. Graham played extensively as a true freshman and has continued to be one of the most effective interior pressure generators in college football. The sack totals aren’t gaudy, but a lot of what Graham does as a pass rusher is facilitating sacks from the outside rushers. Any questions about his run defense should be referred to Indiana or Ohio State, and they’re quickly answered with dominant performances against playoff teams.
Grant primarily played the nose tackle, but he and Graham have similar NFL positional potential. The 21-year-old Grant has dropped his weight down into the 335-pound range after arriving on campus at almost 370. He moves more like a 270-pounder with impressive lateral speed. He might be the best defensive lineman in the nation at getting his hands into passing lanes, and not just to get deflections but also erase throwing options.
Right now, Graham carries the higher draft profile. He’s almost universally projected in the first half of the first round, often in the first handful of picks. Grant tends to earn projections in the 20-40 overall range, though he’s shown upward mobility. Grant might appeal more highly to teams running an odd-man base front, but that remains to be seen. He’s got more of an “immovable object” style than Graham, who calls upon his wrestling background to torque off blockers more adeptly.
The two Wolverine teammates are tightly bonded. Reuniting them in the NFL seems a pipe dream, but Graham and Grant have effectively served as the NCAA version of Vince Wilfork and Richard Seymour for the last two-plus years at Michigan. Expect both to wind up being first-round picks who can be expected to play significant snaps right away.
