5 Michigan players ranked among ESPN’s top 100 in college football

Michigan lost a program-record 13 players to the NFL draft this year, but the cupboards are far from bare in Ann Arbor.

The Wolverines have several key contributors returning as they begin their national title defense – contributors who are considered top talent in all of college football. ESPN released its rankings of the top 100 players for the 2024 season, and five Wolverines cracked the list: junior defensive tackle Kenneth Grant (No. 75), senior running back Donovan Edwards (No. 72), junior tight end Colston Loveland (No. 26), junior cornerback Will Johnson (No. 4) and junior defensive tackle Mason Graham (No. 2).

Michigan’s five players was second in the Big Ten behind Ohio State, although the Buckeyes didn’t have anyone in the top 10. No other Big Ten players made the top 10, which was headlined by Tennessee defensive end James Pierce Jr. at No. 1. The rankings were determined by a panel of ESPN experts.

Johnson, Graham and Loveland’s rankings are no surprise given their high ceilings after stellar sophomore seasons. All three are widely projected first-round picks in 2025.

Graham’s stat line in 2023 might not have been eye-popping – 35 tackles and three sacks – but he was a gap-plugging fixture in the middle of the defense.

“The 320-pound Graham is back to anchor the inside of a revamped but still talented Michigan defense that lost several players to the NFL draft,” ESPN wrote. “Graham, a second-team All-American last year, had 7.5 tackles for loss on a Michigan defense that led the nation in defensive EPA.”

He and Grant have the potential to be the most imposing defensive tackle duo in the country this season. The 6-foot-3, 339-pounder is No. 3 on Bruce Feldman’s annual “freaks” list for clocking a sub-5.0 in the 40-yard dash, maxing out at 18.75 mph on the GPS and pressing an 115-pound dumbbell 34 times on his right and 27 times on his left.

“In his second season at Michigan, Grant quickly became not just one of the defensive stalwarts of a stout defense but one of the most physically imposing players in the country,” ESPN wrote. “Grant tallied 16 solo tackles and 3.5 sacks, including a key one in the national championship game. Going into his third season, the sky seems to be the limit for a player ready to once again showcase his talent and unique physicality.”

Johnson was a five-star recruit out of Grosse Pointe South High and his lived up to the billing.

“A consensus All-Big Ten performer, Johnson had four interceptions last year, including a pick on the first play of the second half in Michigan’s national title victory over Washington,” ESPN wrote. “Opposing QBs had a QBR of just 4.3 (scale of 0-to-100) targeting Johnson last year, easily the lowest score for Big Ten DBs.”

Loveland was a first-team all-Big Ten selection last season and should have an even larger role in 2024. With the team losing its top two receivers in Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson, the former four-star recruit from Idaho could be Michigan’s top target in the passing game this season.

“Now that Brock Bowers is playing in the NFL, Loveland takes his rightful place as the premier tight end in college football, especially with his skills as both a receiver and blocker,” ESPN wrote. “The 6-5, 245-pound junior is incredibly athletic and finished third on Michigan’s national championship team last season with 45 catches, averaging 14.4 yards per catch.

Edwards had a lackluster junior season in a supplementary role behind Blake Corum, but he has home run potential in the open field – both as a receiver and runner.

“After three years of playing behind standout backs Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum, Edwards gets his chance to be Michigan’s lead back,” ESPN wrote. “The timing couldn’t be better as he’s on the cover of the College Football 25 video game. Edwards showcased his speed late in 2022 when he had 520 rushing yards on only 70 carries in Michigan’s final three games.”

Michigan opens the season Aug. 31 against Fresno State. View ESPN’s full top 100 here.