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Michigan DT Kenneth Grant selected by Miami Dolphins in first round of 2025 NFL Draft

Anthony Broomeby:Anthony Broome•04/24/25•

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(Photo by Melanie Maxwell / USA TODAY NETWORK)

The Miami Dolphins selected Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Kenneth Grant with the No. 13 overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay. He ranked 21st on Pro Football Focus’ big board ahead of the event.

Grant appeared in 41 games in a Michigan uniform along the defensive line, making 17 starts and getting the opening nod in all 12 games this season. He was a third-team All-American selection this year and a two-time All-Big Ten honoree (second team, coaches, 2023-24; second team, media, 2024; third team, media, 2023).

Throughout his career, Grant recorded 69 total tackles, 9 passes defended and 6.5 sacks playing nose tackle on the Michigan defense.

“Grant is a broad-bodied nose tackle whose tape can run hot and cold depending on the game and the types of blocks he’s facing,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said. “He struggles to anchor when hit with down blocks due to his narrow base and tall pads, but he uses his power and length to beat single blocks and split double teams when he finds the crease. He had some sack production in college, and we could see him improve in that area once he learns to create more rush space with his hands. Grant’s game will finally come together in full when he’s able to take his impressive physical attributes and impose his will on opponents.”

Grant was a four-star recruit and the No. 277 player in the country in the 2022 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He ranked 33rd among defensive linemen and 9th among players out of the state of Indiana. He played his high school ball at Merrillville.

“He can do anything,” teammate Derrick Moore said, cited in his On3 profile. “You can double-team him. He can still beat it. You can triple team him. He can still beat it. You can drop him into coverage. He’s going to strap you down. He can do whatever. It’s crazy. I’ve never seen any D-tackles ever doing it, and I’ve been around a lot of great D-tackles. But he’s different. He’s really different.”

Grant and his linemate Mason Graham – who was selected No. XX overall by the XX – played their last games this season in a 13-10 win over Ohio State in Columbus. Postion coach Lou Espositio says that’s all you need to know about what they bring to the table in the NFL.

“Throw that Ohio State game on, the last game they played here, the last game they ever wore their jersey here, and tell me what you think, because they absolutely dominated,” Esposito said this spring. “They dominated a great team, and they dominated in a fashion that doesn’t happen for D tackles.

“Whoever gets those guys are going to have special talents, and they’re going to be really excited about them.”

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