Newsstand: Michigan arrives in Tampa for clash against Alabama

Tweets Of The Day

Michigan has arrived in Tampa, Fla., for the Dec. 31 ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama. The Wolverines are searching for their eighth win of the season and 1,0012th all time (most among all football programs at any level).

MI FL#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/DJ2sZDhubI

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 27, 2024

Former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh called defensive tackles Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham “gifts from the football gods.” Both panned out and are now headed to the 2025 NFL Draft after their junior seasons.

In July 2022, Jim Harbaugh said Michigan had two freshmen who were “gifts from the football gods.” Neither had even played a snap in college yet.

Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant both leave after three years as All-Americans, national champions and projected first-round picks. pic.twitter.com/7PT9Q3lja7

— Brandon Koretz (@BrandonKoretz) December 26, 2024

Grant announced Thursday that he’s headed to the NFL Draft. More from The Wolverine’s Anthony Broome:

Grant appeared in 41 games in a Michigan unform along the defensive line, making 17 starts and getting the opening nod in all 12 games this season. He was a third-team All-American selection this year and a two-time All-Big Ten honoree (second team, coaches, 2023-24; second team, media, 2024; third team, media, 2023).

Over the course of his career, Grant recorded 69 total tackles, 9 passes defended and 6.5 sacks playing nose tackle on the Michigan defense.

Grant was a four-star recruit and the No. 277 player in the country in the 2022 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He ranked 33rd among defensive linemen and 9th among players out of the state of Indiana. He played his high school ball at Merrillville.

BREAKING: Michigan DT Kenneth Grant has announced he will enter the 2025 NFL Draft

The 6-foot-3, 339-pounder registered 7 tackles for loss and 3 sacks in 2024.

Details HERE: https://t.co/dVHapOYhDv pic.twitter.com/tvibQtExao

— TheWolverine.com (@TheWolverineOn3) December 26, 2024

Throwback highlights from the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl against Alabama, a 27-20 Michigan win to advance to the national title game.

A college football classic and grand way to begin 2024.

Throwing it back to one of the greatest games in Michigan history, our 27-20 Rose Bowl victory.#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/mpA99g9rym

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 26, 2024

Highlights of former Michigan forward Ignas Brazdeikis.

Iggy Brazdeikis Michigan Highlights (2018-19) pic.twitter.com/kIxtr5gFmo

— The Roman Epire (@RomanWilsonSzn) December 26, 2024

Quote Of The Day

“Michigan is a great program. They won a national championship a year ago. They’re in a bit of a rebuilding stage. This year was a learning curve. But they’ve done a lot with recruiting. They flipped some guys and have the pieces they need to go back out there and compete for a national championship. You saw what they did to Ohio State. That was crazy.”

— Deon Glover, the father of UNLV cornerback transfer Tony Grimes, who has mutual interest with Michigan

Headlines Of The Day

• EJ Holland, The Wolverine: Father of transfer CB Tony Grimes talks Michigan, looking to schedule visit
• Clayton Sayfie and Anthony Broome, The Wolverine: Podcast: Justice Haynes commits, previewing Michigan vs. Alabama
• Anthony Broome, The Wolverine: Michigan mailbag: Roster building philosophy, over/under Bryce Underwood starts, more
• Chris Balas, The Wolverine: The 3-2-1: Next year’s Michigan offensive line, portal thoughts, and a prediction
• Clayton Sayfie, The Wolverine: Analysis: Why Michigan LB transfer commit Troy Bowles didn’t play much at Georgia, what he brings to Ann Arbor

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