Can Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant make up for Mazi Smith’s departure?
Michigan will lose defensive tackle Mazi Smith to the NFL after his outstanding career, and there’s no doubt he’ll be tough to replace. Smith progressed each season, and when it came time for him to step up two years ago, he more than answered the bell.
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Smith had arguably the most pressure on him on the defensive side of the ball two seasons ago, singled out as the player Michigan most needed to rise if the Wolverines were going to meet their potential on defense. He did it, and then some. He followed up with another great season this year and will now chase his NFL dreams.
Now, it’s up to some young bucks to take his place. The good news … there are plenty to choose from. Stud defensive lineman are tough to come by most years, but the Wolverines have hoarded some outstanding talent in the last few recruiting classes. In-stater Rayshaun Benny, now a junior entering spring ball, continues to progress, and he’ll be called upon to take another step this year.
But the freshmen “gifts from the gods,” as head coach Jim Harbaugh referred to them before the season — Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant — will be asked to do the heavy lifting inside. Grant ran a sub-5.0 40-yard dash and continues to get in better shape, while Graham, simply put, was the best true freshman defensive tackle Michigan has seen, maybe ever.
Graham surprised many by playing at an incredibly high level as a true frosh on the defensive line. He didn’t necessarily surprise himself … nor did his fellow freshmen surprise him. He knew they could make an early impact.
“For sure. Right when we got in there, there was some chatter from other guys saying, ‘you guys are legit,’ stuff like that,” Graham recalled. “We just stayed on that path and proved we are that class.”
As for his personal success …
“I always knew I was a good player, but I didn’t know what my role would be this year,” Graham continued. “Coming in, whatever coach [Mike] Elston wanted me to play … I had that connection with him and all the other guys on the line.”
And what a steal he was. A former 3-star prospect initially committed to Boise State, Graham remained under the radar until midway through his senior year. Michigan coaches were blown away by his film, and USC and others tried to swoop in after he committed to the Wolverines.
Why it took everyone so long to find him is anyone’s guess.
“I don’t really know,” Graham said. “My senior season I started pretty fast. Maybe schools caught notice of that?”
No question, though, he was underrated, and he admitted he felt it. But there’s nowhere he’d rather be besides Michigan, and he’s already made a name for himself with several more years still to progress.
He’s not alone. Grant is just coming into his own, too, and he and his freshman linemate will be asked to hold down the fort along with Benny, senior Kris Jenkins, and others this year. Grant is destined for big things, Graham predicted.
“He’s just a menace,” Graham said with a huge grin. “You see his body? You just see that body in the middle just plugging gaps, shedding blocks … anything you need from a nose guard or a D-tackle, he is it.”
And part of the reason the Michigan defense figures to be formidable for the foreseeable future.
