“Max out. Go first round. Win the natty.” Michigan DT Rayshaun Benny joined In the Trenches this week to preview his final season in Ann Arbor — from coming back stronger after injury to stepping into a leadership role on the D-line:
After spending years as a rotational force behind two of the most dominant defensive tackles in recent Michigan memory, Rayshaun Benny is finally stepping into the spotlight — and he’s ready to make the most of it.
The fifth-year senior joined Jon Jansen on In the Trenches this week to discuss his mindset heading into his final season in Ann Arbor and the leadership role he’s embracing along Michigan’s defensive front.
Benny’s 2024 season was derailed early after suffering a broken fibula in the Rose Bowl win over Alabama. Though he returned to action last fall, he revealed it wasn’t until around Big Ten play began when he started feeling 100 percent again.
“I really didn’t start feeling comfortable until a few weeks into the season,” Benny said. “I started feeling better and started getting more movement and feeling myself again, but that process was long.”
Now with a full, healthy offseason under his belt for the first time in his career, Michigan’s most seasoned interior lineman is locked in.
“I’m not recovering from an injury,” Benny said. “This was really the first offseason I had to be able to train and get better. So, really just trying to maximize this year. I don’t have no other eligibility, so trying to max out, do what I can do to go first round (in the draft).”
Having spent his career rotating with (and learning from) Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, Benny now steps into the role of veteran mentor on the defensive line — a responsibility he welcomes.
“I was that guy before — I was the young guy, and I know what it felt like to look up to somebody … so it just feels good being an older guy knowing that I got people looking up to me,” Benny said.
His presence, combined with the additions of Tre Williams and Damon Payne Jr., has Michigan fans, and even Benny himself, feeling confident about the defensive line’s strength this season.
“Playing together against Alabama gave us a huge confidence boost,” Benny said. “Then we brought in some new pieces through the portal and added a strong group of freshmen. It’s exciting because there’s still a lot of meat left on the bone. We really found our rhythm at the end of last season, and now it’s about keeping that momentum going and seeing how far we can take it.”
Being named the No. 9 returning defensive tackle in the country by Pro Football Focus puts Benny squarely in the spotlight this fall. He’s determined to use the added attention to prove to NFL scouts he’s more than just a rotational piece.
“Not necessarily just sacks, more so TFLs and everything,” Benny said. “Getting off blocks again and just causing havoc in the backfield. Just to be able to show I’m a ball player, for real. That’s the whole thing. Show my full capabilities (in my) last year.
“I was able to show some — I wasn’t really me all the way, but just be able to build this confidence throughout the offseason to be able to trust my leg and trust everything that’s going on with it.”
As for his goals this season? Crystal clear.
“Win the natty. Go first round. And be top-five in everything, every defensive statistic,” Benny said.