Michigan football: Rayshaun Benny return is bigger than you think

Michigan football had arguably the best defensive line in college football this season and looking ahead to 2025, that might not change.

Yes, Michigan football is losing Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, and Josaiah Stewart. Each of them should be first-round picks. But there is plenty of talented left in the cupboard -- more than enough to once again have an elite defensive line, maybe the best in the Big Ten.

Derrick Moore showed he can be a first-round pick against Alabama. If he plays like that, he'll be an All-American. Moore is coming back along with T.J. Guy, another pass rusher who will earn himself a big chunk of change this season by improving his draft stock in a bigger role, but another major contributor coming back is Rayshaun Benny.

The 6-foot-4, 296-pounder was graded higher this season than Kenneth Grant. He stepped into a starting role after Kris Jenkins left for the NFL and more than held his own. In 2024, Benny had 29 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also had 5.5 tackles for loss and a sack in 2023.

Yet, Benny had just one tackle on the stat sheet against Alabama but flat-out dominated. He was pressuring the quarterback, collapsing the pocket, and was unblockable. He played so well that I was worried he would leave for the draft.

Instead, Benny will be back next season. That gives Michigan football a top-five defensive tackle in the Big Ten, at minimum. The Wolverines also have Moore, Guy, Cameron Brandt, Trey Pierce, and Enow Etta who all played in the ReliaQuest Bowl, plus Dominic Nichols and other blue-chip recruits.

Michigan football also landed Damon Payne and Tre Williams, two defensive tackles from Alabama and Clemson in the transfer portal. With Benny in the fold -- an elite player at an elite position -- plus all those other pieces, the defensive line dropoff won't be as drastic as expected.