Kenneth Grant 2025 NFL Draft: Michigan DT Scouting Report

Kenneth Grant is a physically dominant defensive tackle prospect with a rare combination of size, strength, and athleticism. In this talented 2025 NFL Draft class, he is a DT who should go in the early rounds of the draft. Today, we’ll be breaking down this defensive tackle’s NFL outlook in this scouting report. We will be breaking down his strengths, areas for improvement, and his potential draft grade.

Kenneth Grant 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Grant materialized as a cornerstone of Michigan’s vaunted defensive front during his three-year tenure in Ann Arbor, contributing to a national championship in 2023 and earning Third-Team All-American honors in 2024. A former four-star recruit, Grant’s rare combination of size, power, and athleticism has elevated him into a projected early-round talent for the 2025 NFL Draft. While often overshadowed by teammate Mason Graham, Grant’s individual impact as a run-stuffing anchor with untapped pass-rush potential makes him a standalone prospect worthy of high praise.

HT: 6035
WT: 331
HAND: 1028
ARM: 3348
40: 4.96

Strengths

• Physical Dominance: Grant’s sheer mass and low center of gravity make him a nightmare for interior offensive linemen. At 331 pounds, he’s a natural space-eater who consistently demands double teams yet rarely cedes ground, even against combo blocks.
• Explosive First Step: Grant’s get-off is exceptional for a man of his size. He fires off the snap with a burst that allows him to penetrate gaps and disrupt plays before they develop.
• Run Defense: His ability to anchor against the run is elite. Grant resets the line of scrimmage with powerful hands and a sturdy base, clogging lanes and freeing up linebackers to make plays. His pursuit down the line is remarkable for his frame, highlighted by a viral chase-down tackle against Penn State in 2023.
• Hand Usage: Grant employs active, heavy hands to control blockers at the point of attack. He’s adept at stacking and shedding, showing flashes of a swim move and arm-over technique to disengage.
• Pass Disruption Awareness: With a school-record 12 career pass breakups for a defensive lineman, Grant’s knack for getting his hands up in passing lanes adds a unique dimension to his game.

Areas for Improvement

• Pass Rush Consistency: Grant flashes potential as a pass rusher (6.5 career sacks), but he lacks a refined arsenal of moves. Too often, he relies on his bull rush without a consistent counter, stalling out if his initial push is neutralized.
• Lateral Agility: His linear athleticism is impressive, but Grant can struggle with lateral redirection. Quicker offensive linemen can exploit this on outside zone runs, occasionally reaching him and sealing him off from the play.
• Pad Level: Grant’s tendency to stand upright on some reps diminishes his leverage advantage. Maintaining lower pads could elevate his already formidable power profile.
• Sustained Production: While disruptive, Grant’s stat sheet doesn’t always reflect his impact. Increasing his tackle-for-loss and sack totals could solidify his status as a three-down threat.

Conclusion

Grant is a freakish talent whose blend of size, strength, and mobility sets him apart in a loaded defensive tackle class. While he’s not yet a finished product as a pass rusher, his foundation as a run-game eraser and his flashes of dominance suggest a high floor and a tantalizing ceiling. For an NFL team needing a tone-setter up front, Grant is a plug-and-play prospect with the tools to anchor a defense for years to come.

Grant’s presence transforms the interior of a defensive line. In Michigan’s 2023 title run, he showcased his ability to collapse pockets and stonewall rushing attacks, often drawing extra attention that opened opportunities for teammates. His 2024 season (32 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 5 PBUs) as a full-time starter further highlighted his growth, particularly in high-stakes matchups against USC and Ohio State. His motor runs hot, with a relentless effort that shines through even on plays where he’s initially taken out of the action.

Grant projects as a versatile defensive tackle capable of thriving in both odd and even fronts. In a 3-4 scheme, he’s an ideal nose tackle, occupying blockers and anchoring against the run while offering enough burst to push the pocket. In a 4-3, he fits best as a 3-technique with the potential to slide to 1-tech in base packages. His ceiling is that of a Pro Bowl-caliber run defender with moderate pass-rush upside, akin to a more athletic Dalvin Tomlinson or a less polished Alim McNeill.

Grant’s rare physical traits and proven production make him a safe bet to contribute immediately as a run-stopper, with room to grow into a more complete three-down player. Teams seeking a disruptive interior presence will view him as a Day 1 prize.

Round Grade: Mid 1st to Early 2nd Round

Stats: Per Sports Reference

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