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Michigan fans dunk on Ohio State after draft proves player development was all hype

Ohio State prides itself on its development of the defensive line; however, looking at the draft results, Michigan clearly beats them out.
ByEricka Brockish|
Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant celebrates a sack on Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. during the College Football Playoff national championship game against Washington at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant celebrates a sack on Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. during the College Football Playoff national championship game against Washington at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. | Melanie Maxwell / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ohio State may have had more draft picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, but there is something to be said about the quality draft picks that Michigan had. The Wolverines were the only team to have three selections in the top 15 picks. Two of the three picks for Michigan were from their defensive line, with Mason Graham being taken by the Browns with the fifth overall pick, and Kenneth Grant being taken with the No. 13 pick.

Something that the Buckeyes seem to really want to rub in the face of Michigan is the development of their defensive line from when recruits come in to when they leave for the NFL. Well, if there is something that Michigan has proven with their draft picks in the last six years, it is that it doesn't matter how high of a rated recruit a player is, it matters how they are developed.

When looking at the players on the defensive line who have been drafted out of both Michigan and Ohio State, Michigan has had more first and second rounders coming out of their defensive line than Ohio State has.

Simply this year alone, the five-star defensive lineman from Ohio State had all gone outside of the first round, while a four-star and a three-star recruit out of Michigan both went top 15 in the first round.

Michigan is showing that development is more than just winning championships

The Wolverines have been one of the biggest pipelines to the NFL in the last five years, as before the 2025 NFL Draft, Michigan had sent 45 players to the NFL through the draft, and Ohio State had only sent 36. Now, after the draft, Michigan has sent 52 players to the NFL, and the Buckeyes, while able to make up some ground, have only sent 50 to the NFL.

Even on a down season, Michigan was able to have a very successful draft class, just going to show that it is not all about how highly rated players come to a program, it is about development. Ohio State says they develop guys the most, but by the look of where a lot of their players were taken, some would say otherwise, and those people would be Michigan fans.

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