Wolverine Digest

Analyst expects Jim Harbaugh to take Michigan defender in NFL Draft

Former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh could be eyeing a specific Michigan defender in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Chris Breiler|
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

In this story:

Michigan WolverinesLos Angeles Chargers

With the 2025 NFL Draft roughly two months away, there are a number of Wolverines who are expecting to hear their names called in the first-round. In fact, four Michigan draft prospects have been projected to be first-round selections - including Mason Graham, Will Johnson, Colston Loveland, and Kenneth Grant. And with former Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh now leading the Chargers out west, the expectation is that he'll be eyeing another Wolverine in this year's draft.

On Thursday, FOX college football analyst Joel Klatt said he expects Harbaugh and the Chargers to go all-in on Kenneth Grant with their first-round pick.

Michigan Football
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"Here's what's fascinating," Klatt said. "The Chargers are sitting here, and Jim Harbaugh just saw three of his Michigan Wolverines selected already. So Will Johnson, Mason Graham, and Colston Loveland are all off the board. I just don't think that Jim Harbaugh is going to allow a Michigan Wolverine to pass them up right there, and in particular when that guy is Kenneth Grant, the defensive tackle from Michigan."

At 6-3, 339 pounds, Grant proved himself to be one of the most dominant defensive linemen in all of college football during his time in Ann Arbor. And while he doesn't get as much attention as teammate Mason Graham, there's some belief that Grant could ultimately prove to be the best pick of any Wolverine this year.

"Nobody knows Kenneth Grant better in this league than Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter, the defensive coordinator. And do they need defensive help? Maybe not. But guess what? I sat with those guys face-to-face, and they each told me, 'hey, in the long run, Kenneth Grant might be the best one of them all.'"

You can watch Klatt's full segment on Harbaugh's potential pursuit of Grant below:

Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI -

More Michigan News:

Michigan Football: New OC Chip Lindsey speaks on rivalries with Michigan State, Ohio State

Michigan Football: Chip Lindsey talks expectations and development of the 2025 quarterback room

Michigan Football: Ranking all 14 incoming transfers based on predicted production

For additional coverage of University of Michigan athletics:

Published
Chris Breiler
CHRIS BREILER

Christopher Breiler launched Winged Helmet Media and began covering the Michigan Football program in an unofficial capacity in 2017. He then joined Wolverine Digest as part of the FanNation network in 2021 as a contributing writer, where he served as both a writer and a photographer on game days. In 2024, he took over as the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines On SI. His love for Michigan Football brought him into the industry, and his passion for being a content creator has led to some amazing experiences along the way.

Home/Football