Kenneth Grant (American football)
{{Short description|American football player (born 2003)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Kenneth Grant
| image = MBN S24G01 FRESNOST-6.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Grant with the Michigan Wolverines in 2024
| number =
| position = Defensive tackle
| current_team = Miami Dolphins
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2003|10|27|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Merrillville, Indiana, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lb = 331
| high_school = Merrillville
| college = Michigan (2022–2024)
| draftyear = 2025
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 13
| pastteams =
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status = Unsigned draft pick
| highlights =
- CFP national champion (2023)
- Third-team All-American (2024)
- 2× second-team All-Big Ten (2023, 2024)
| statseason = 2025
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Tackles
| statvalue1 =
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 =
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 =
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 =
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 =
| statlabel6 = Interceptions
| statvalue6 =
| statlabel7 = Defensive touchdowns
| statvalue7 =
| pfr = GranKe01
}}
Kenneth Grant (born October 27, 2003) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, winning a national championship in 2023 and earning All-American honors in 2024. Grant was selected with the 13th overall pick by the Dolphins in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft.
Early life
Grant was born on October 27, 2003, in Merrillville, Indiana, the son of Kenneth Grant Sr. and Ewana Chatman.{{Cite web |last=Brugler |first=Dane |title=The Beast: 2025 NFL Draft Guide |url=https://static01.nyt.com/athletic/uploads/wp/2025/04/09073220/2025-Beast-v02.pdf |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 9, 2025 |website=The Athletic |pages=392}} He attended Merrillville High School, where he played football as an offensive and defensive lineman. He also competed in the shot put for the track and field team.{{cite web|title=Kenneth Grant|publisher=University of Michigan Athletics|accessdate=September 10, 2023|url=https://mgoblue.com/sports/football/roster/kenneth-grant/24351}}
As a senior, he totaled 38 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and blocked eight kicks (four field goal attempts, two punts and two extra-point attempts), leading Merrillville to an undefeated regular season and a 12-1 overall record. Grant was rated as a four-star recruit, the No. 3 ranked player in the state of Indiana, and the No. 102 overall ranked high school player in the country in 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/player/football/2022/?state=in|title=2022 Top Football Indiana Recruits|website=On3}}
College career
=Freshman season (2022)=
Grant committed to the University of Michigan in September 2021, and enrolled in July 2022.{{cite news|title=Here's why Kenneth Grant, 4-star defensive tackle, picked Michigan|newspaper=The Detroit News|author=Allen Trieu|date=September 28, 2021|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2021/09/28/trieu-why-defensive-tackle-kenneth-grant-picked-michigan-wolverines/5903885001/}}{{cite web|title=Kenneth Grant|publisher=247Sports|accessdate=September 10, 2023|url=https://247sports.com/player/kenneth-grant-46082230/}} In the 2022 season, Grant appeared in all 14 games on special teams and defensive line. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh called Grant "a gift from the football gods."{{cite web|title=Kenneth Grant is about to dominate for Michigan football in 2023|author=Chris Peterson|publisher=GBM Wolverines|date=August 21, 2023|url=https://gbmwolverine.com/2023/08/21/kenneth-grant-dominate-michigan-football-2023/}} In August 2022, he was included on Bruce Feldman's annual list of college football "freaks".{{cite news|title=Jesse Minter says Michigan football DT freshman Kenneth Grant is 'Mazi's junior'|publisher=USA Today|date=August 11, 2022|url=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/2022/08/11/jesse-minter-says-michigan-football-dt-freshman-kenneth-grant-is-mazis-junior/}} He finished his freshman season with eight tackles.
=Sophomore season (2023)=
File:Kenneth Grant (53176751652) (cropped).jpg
Entering the 2023 season, Grant dropped from 359 pounds to 339. On September 9, in the second game of the season against UNLV, Grant tallied four tackles, two and a half tackles for a loss, a pass breakup and his first career sacks (1.5).{{cite news|title=Michigan football's running game still shaping up ahead of Bowling Green matchup|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|author=Tony Garcia|date=September 11, 2023|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2023/09/11/michigan-football-what-we-learned-bowling-green/70809871007/}} On September 30, Grant had his first career interception versus Nebraska.{{cite web|url=https://www.michigandaily.com/sports/football/michigan-defensive-line-produces-more-than-just-highlight-reel-interception-against-nebraska/|title=Michigan defensive line produces more than just highlight reel interception against Nebraska|work=The Michigan Daily}} On November 11, Grant chased down Penn State running back Kaytron Allen from behind to make a tackle and prevent a touchdown. The video of the 339-pound Grant chasing and tackling Allen went viral. Head coach Jim Harbaugh called it "maybe one of the best plays ever."{{cite news|title=Jim Harbaugh Witnessed 'Maybe One Of The Best Plays Ever' By A Michigan D-Lineman|publisher=SI.com|author=Trent Knoop|date=November 13, 2023|url=https://www.si.com/college/michigan/football/michigan-football-kenneth-grant-jim-harbaugh-talk-running-down-penn-state-kaytron-allen}}{{cite news|title=Michigan teammates still talking about Kenneth Grant's chase-down tackle|author=Angelique S. Chengelis|newspaper=The Detroit News|date=November 14, 2023|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2023/11/14/michigan-teammates-still-talkingkenneth-grants-chase-down-tackle-still-the-talk-of-michigan-football/71578884007/}}{{cite news|title=Kenneth Grant bolstering defensive line with speed and size|author=Charlie Pappalardo|date=November 14, 2023|newspaper=The Michigan Daily|url=https://www.michigandaily.com/sports/football/kenneth-grant-bolstering-defensive-line-with-speed-and-size/}}
At the conclusion of the 2023 season, Grant helped the Wolverines win a national championship; Michigan’s first since 1997.{{Cite web |title=Michigan does it at last, powering through Washington for first national title since 1997 |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/michigan-does-it-at-last-powering-through-washington-for-first-national-title-since-1997 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |website=FOX Sports |language=en-US}} He was named a second-team All-Big Ten selection, playing in all 15 games and recording 29 tackles, five tackles for a loss, three and a half sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery and five pass breakups.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/kenneth-grant-2.html|title=Kenneth Grant|website=Sports Reference-CFB}}
=Junior season (2024)=
Entering his junior season, Grant was ranked as one of the top interior defensive linemen in college football by members of the media.{{cite web|url=https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-top-10-returning-interior-defensive-linemen-for-the-2024-season|title=College Football: Top 10 Returning Interior Defensive Linemen for the 2024 Season|website=Pro Football Focus}}{{cite web|url=https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2025-nfl-draft-rankings-james-pearce-harold-perkins/|title=2025 NFL draft: Preseason defensive player rankings|website=USA Today}} He was widely considered to be a first round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/early-look-at-the-top-20-nfl-draft-eligible-college-football-players-taking-the-field-in-2024-season/|title=Early look at the top 20 NFL draft-eligible college football players taking the field in 2024 season|website=CBS Sports}}{{cite web|url=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/2024/04/29/pff-predicts-4-michigan-football-players-to-go-in-first-round-in-2025-nfl-draft/|title=PFF predicts 4 Michigan football players to go in first round in 2025 NFL draft|website=USA Today - Wolverines Wire}}{{Cite web|url= https://www.michigandaily.com/sports/football/with-mason-graham-and-kenneth-grant-at-the-center-michigan-defensive-line-primed-for-more-in-2024/#google_vignette|title=With Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant at the center, Michigan’s defensive line primed for more in 2024|website=The Michigan Daily}} In week four against the USC Trojans, Grant recorded two tackles, recovered a fumble and had his first sack of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore/_/gameId/401628489#home|title=Michigan v. USC (2024)|website=ESPN}} In week five against Minnesota, he had two tackles, a batted ball and a sack.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore/_/gameId/401628497#home|title=Michigan v. Minnesota (2024)|website=ESPN}} In week nine versus Michigan State, Grant had two tackles, including one for a loss and a fumble recovery as Michigan defeated the Spartans 24-17.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401628529/michigan-st-michigan|title=Michigan v. Michigan State (2024)|website=ESPN}} In week eleven against Indiana, he recorded his 12th career pass breakup. In doing so, Grant moved ahead of Ryan Van Bergen for the most pass breakups all-time for a defensive lineman in Michigan football history.{{cite web|url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2024/11/9/football-postgame-notes-michigan-at-indiana |title=Postgame Notes: #8 Indiana 20, Michigan 15 |publisher=CBS Interactive |work=MGoBlue.com |date=November 9, 2024 |access-date=November 9, 2024}}
Following the season, Grant was again given second-team All-Big Ten honors, and was selected as a third-team All-American by the Associated Press.{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/ap-all-america-college-football-fb5a85150bf6850fdc5d32275fe59938|title=AP All-America team: Travis Hunter, Xavier Watts back on first team; Ashton Jeanty is unanimous pick|work=Associated Press}} Grant started all twelve regular season games as a junior, ranking second on the team with five pass breakups, recording 32 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, three quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/43170112/michigan-star-defensive-lineman-kenneth-grant-entering-nfl-draft|title=Michigan star defensive lineman Kenneth Grant entering NFL draft|website=ESPN}}
On December 26, Grant declared for the 2025 NFL draft, foregoing the ReliaQuest Bowl and his senior year.{{cite web|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2024/12/26/michigan-wolverines-kenneth-grant-declares-for-nfl-draft/76959983007/|title=Kenneth Grant, Michigan defensive tackle, declares for NFL Draft|work=The Detroit News}} He finished his three year career at the University of Michigan with a 35-6 team record, two Big Ten championships, two All-Big Ten selections, All-American honors, was a national champion, and finished 3-0 against both rivals, Michigan State and Ohio State. Grant appeared in every game he was a member of the Michigan Wolverines, starting 17 games and totaling 69 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and an interception.{{cite web | last=Lounsberry | first=Matt | title=BREAKING: Michigan DT Kenneth Grant makes NFL Draft decision | website=SI.com | date=2024-12-26 | url=https://www.si.com/college/michigan/football/breaking-michigan-football-kenneth-grant-declares-for-2025-nfl-draft-defensive-tackle | access-date=2025-04-29}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 3 5/8
| weight = 331
| dash = 5.07
| ten split = 1.72
| twenty split = 3.01
| shuttle = 4.76
| cone drill = 7.65
| vertical = 31.0
| broad ft = 8
| broad in = 9
| bench = 27
| arm span = 33 1/2
| hand span = 10 1/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/kenneth-grant/32004752-4145-0451-f4ca-0554158e787f |title=Kenneth Grant Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=February 28, 2025}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1057333&DraftYear=2025 |title=Kenneth Grant College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=February 28, 2025}}{{Cite web |url=https://mgoblue.com/sports/2025/2/24/football-nfl-draft-2025 |title=2025 Michigan Pro Day |website=MGoBlue.com |access-date=April 13, 2025}}
}}
Grant was selected with the 13th overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. He was the second defensive tackle taken in the draft behind collegiate teammate Mason Graham (fourth defensive lineman).{{Cite web |title=Wolverines Tie Program Record with Three Chosen in First Round of NFL Draft |url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2025/4/24/football-wolverines-tie-program-record-with-three-chosen-in-first-round-of-nfl-draft |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=University of Michigan Athletics |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category||Kenneth Grant}}
- [https://mgoblue.com/sports/football/roster/kenneth-grant/24351 Michigan Wolverines profile]
{{2023 Michigan Wolverines football navbox}}
{{2025 NFL draft}}
{{DolphinsFirstPick}}
{{Miami Dolphins 2025 NFL draft picks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grant, Kenneth}}
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:Michigan Wolverines football players
Category:People from Merrillville, Indiana
Category:Players of American football from Lake County, Indiana