Name: Rayshaun Benny
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 296 lbs.
High school: Oak Park (MI) Oak Park
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #26
Last year: I ranked Benny #40 and said he would be a backup defensive tackle (LINK). He made 13 tackles.
TTB Rating: 81
Benny redshirted in 2021, playing in just three games. Last season he became a regular backup on the defensive line, though not heavily used. Mazi Smith, Mason Graham, and Kris Jenkins took up the majority of defensive tackle snaps, and all three shined more than Benny.
But the buzz has been building for Benny, and he seems to have become quicker during his couple years on campus. Despite putting on a few pounds since last year, he looked more athletic in the spring game than he did in his first or second years.
Smith is gone to the NFL, but Graham and Kenneth Grant are likely to take most of the nose tackle snaps. But with Graham likely playing more nose tackle this year, that opens up some more snaps at 3-tech for someone like Benny. He should have a good season, and it will be interesting to watch going into 2024 whether Michigan will aim to start Graham and Grant at the DT and NT positions, respectively, or whether they’ll play Benny at 3-tech and use Graham in both places. Those should be three starter-quality players for two spots in 2024.
Prediction: Backup defensive tackle
You need to login in order to vote
You must belogged in to post a comment.