Breaking Now: Will Michigan football’s projected 1st-round picks opt out down stretch? Kenneth Grant Says…
Michigan Football’s Dilemma: Will 1st-Round Picks Opt Out? Kenneth Grant Says No
As Michigan football looks toward the final stretch of its regular season, with only three games remaining, there’s a looming question that has become more pressing with each passing week: how many of the Wolverines’ star players, many of whom are projected to be first-round NFL draft picks, will choose to finish out the season, especially as the potential for injuries increases? It’s a complex question, especially in the modern college football landscape, where players have increasingly opted to sit out the end of the season — particularly bowl games — in order to protect their draft stock and prevent injury. In a sport that is growing in competitiveness and where players face a massive step up to the professional ranks, the decision to play or sit out isn’t just about team loyalty but also about self-preservation and long-term goals.
As the Wolverines’ season has experienced a downturn with a series of losses, Michigan’s roster, which includes several top-tier draft prospects, finds itself at the intersection of college football’s old traditions and the new age of player empowerment. The trend of opting out to avoid injury and preserve one’s professional future has been growing in recent years, especially with star players who are already projected to go early in the NFL draft. But one player in particular, defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, is making it clear that he will not be one of those players to abandon his teammates and the final games of the season. Grant, who is a projected first-round pick, has unequivocally stated that he will not sit out the rest of the year.
“I mean, nah, I’m not sitting out,” Grant said confidently when asked about the possibility of skipping the rest of the season to focus on his draft stock. “Definitely want to go out there and put great things on film. I don’t really know my draft status right now, I guess, first-round you could say, but I don’t really pay attention to that stuff.”
Grant’s words reflect a mindset that is rooted in his desire to finish what he started at Michigan, not just for himself but for the program and the fans that have supported him. It’s clear that Grant is committed to putting everything he has into his final games as a Wolverine, and for him, sitting out is simply not an option. “It’s another opportunity to go out there and put great things on film,” he added. “Whatever my draft status is, I’m never satisfied with that. Never satisfied until I’m No. 1, that’s my mentality.”
Grant is not the only Michigan player being mentioned in first-round NFL draft projections. According to College Football Report, the Wolverines have five players currently considered potential first-round picks: defensive back Will Johnson, defensive tackle Mason Graham, tight end Colston Loveland, defensive end Josaiah Stewart, and Grant himself. Johnson is the highest-ranked among them, slotted at No. 5 overall, with a projected landing spot in Jacksonville. Graham is ranked No. 11 by Cincinnati, Grant at No. 13 by Dallas, Loveland at No. 20 to the Los Angeles Chargers, and Stewart at No. 21 to Atlanta. All of these players are contributing at a high level this season, but only Stewart has completed all four years of his collegiate eligibility. For the rest, including Johnson, Loveland, and Graham, injuries have impacted their availability and game time.
Will Johnson, for example, has missed the last two games due to a foot injury, and Loveland has been sidelined for one game after being injured during the USC matchup. Stewart, meanwhile, was absent for the Minnesota game earlier in the season. Even with these setbacks, Grant and Graham have remained active and continue to lead by example. Grant, who has already recorded 13 tackles (five for loss), two sacks, and two fumble recoveries, is proving that his focus is on the present and not solely on the future. His performance on the field this season is an indication that his primary goal is to leave a lasting legacy at Michigan, not just secure a spot in the NFL.
The focus of Michigan’s upcoming games is critical, with the Wolverines facing off against top-tier competition in their final three matchups. The first challenge on the docket is No. 10 Indiana, which has been one of the most surprising stories in college football this season. Under first-year head coach Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers are undefeated through their first nine games, a feat that has never been achieved in their program’s history. On Tuesday, when the College Football Playoff selection committee released its initial rankings, Indiana was slotted at No. 8 in the nation, putting the Hoosiers in the thick of the conversation for a playoff spot.
This meteoric rise for Indiana underscores just how quickly the landscape of college football can change, especially in the age of the transfer portal and the influence of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals. In fact, the Hoosiers’ turnaround is a stark contrast to the 2023 season, where Michigan, just a year ago, demolished Indiana 52-7. Now, Michigan enters this game as a 14.5-point underdog, with the Hoosiers looking to prove that their early-season success is no fluke. The Hoosiers have a potent offense that ranks No. 19 in the nation in total yards (averaging 484.4 yards per game) and No. 2 in scoring, averaging 46.6 points per game.
The Wolverines’ defense, which has been one of the better units in the nation this year, faces its toughest test yet. As the secondary has been plagued by injuries, including the absence of both Will Johnson and sophomore Jyaire Hill during the Oregon game, the defense has had to adapt. Zeke Berry, who has started much of the season at nickel back, was moved to cornerback for the loss to Oregon and will likely see more action in that role against Indiana, depending on the health of Johnson and Hill.
Michigan’s defensive unit has already faced some of the top offenses in college football this season, including Oregon, Texas, and Washington. All three of those teams rank in the top 25 in total offense, with Oregon sitting at No. 11, Texas at No. 16, and Washington at No. 24 in passing offense. So, the Wolverines are no strangers to high-powered offenses. Grant, for his part, remains confident that Michigan’s defense can rise to the occasion. “I mean, it’s college football, anything can happen,” he said of Indiana’s rise to prominence. “It’s a testament to them — they’re undefeated, so just another great opportunity to go out there and compete.”
As Michigan moves forward into this pivotal stretch of the season, the attention will continue to be on the top draft prospects, particularly those with first-round potential. The question of whether players like Grant, Graham, Johnson, and others will sit out in favor of preparing for the NFL draft is one that will only grow louder as the losses accumulate. But for players like Kenneth Grant, it’s clear that their commitment to their team, their legacy, and their opportunity to finish strong is stronger than the allure of an early exit.
For Michigan, and for fans who remain invested in the program’s success, the hope is that these star players — especially Grant — will continue to lead by example. They represent the heart and soul of the team, and their determination to fight through adversity, rather than take the easy route, could serve as the catalyst that sparks a resurgence for the Wolverines in the final stretch of the season. In a season full of unexpected twists and challenges, having a player like Kenneth Grant, who is committed to seeing things through, is a reminder of the value of dedication, grit, and the belief that anything is possible if you’re willing to put in the work.