BREAKING: Defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny is forgoing the NFL Draft and returning to Michigan for the 2025 season. Huge news for the Wolverines! MORE:
As first reported by MLive on Friday morning and later confirmed by him on social media, Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny is forgoing the 2025 NFL Draft and is returning to Ann Arbor for his final season of eligibility.
Spoke with Michigan DL coach Lou Esposito, who says DT Rayshaun Benny will be back next year. Also loves Jaishawn Barham’s versatility — could play linebacker and edge in 2025.
— Ryan Zuke (@ryanzuke) January 17, 2025
So far during Benny’s time at Michigan, he has played in 39 games and racked up 71 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and three pass deflections. Although primarily a rotational player, he did start three games. In 2024, he played in 10 games and made 28 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two pass deflections.
Benny was a four star recruit in the 2021 class and the seventh-ranked player from the state of Michigan. Hailing from Detroit, Benny attended Oak Park High School where he was led by Greg Carter, who also coached Devin Gardner in high school before he played at Michigan. Just like Gardner, Carter’s coaching helped lead Benny to the Wolverines.
This is great news for Michigan, as the program already lost defensive linemen Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant and Josaiah Stewart to the NFL Draft this offseason. That means Lou Esposito and company will have a solid trio of Benny, Derrick Moore and TJ Guy in 2025. As reported by MLive in the above tweet, Esposito may also have linebacker Jaishawn Barham in the edge room next season. Finally, transfers Tre Williams (Clemson) and Damon Payne Jr. (Alabama) will figure into the interior rotation as well.
Welcome back to Ann Arbor, Rayshaun!