For the next few months, the LA Chargers' first-round selection at 22 will be vehemently debated online. While Michigan tight end Colston Loveland is currently the clubhouse leader in most mocks to be the selection, there is a possibility that he is off the board by the time the Chargers are on the clock.
That would open the door to a variety of other selections, perhaps most notably one of his Michigan teammates.
On an episode of Bolt Breakdowns via the Guilty as Charged Podcast, Chargers Wire writer Alex Katson mentioned a conversation he had at the East-West Shrine Bowl in Texas that may provide some insight into what will happen in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant was one of many participants at the yearly college all-star game. Katson says he spoke to a source who claims Grant told him about his desire to play for the Chargers:
"Kenneth Grant did tell at least one media member at the Shrine Bowl that wasn't me, but I did hear it from the person that he did tell, that he would very much like to play for the Chargers," Katson explained. "Michigan defensive tackle, for anybody that doesn't know. Probably gonna be around the 22 range. Might go a little bit earlier, but he is very much a fan of the coaching staff that came over from Michigan [...] (Jim) Harbaugh, (Jesse) Minter, defensive line coach Mike Elston. He's also pretty close with DBs coach Steve Clinkscale. Apparently, he has family in LA. So, something to think about, perhaps."
Michigan's Kenneth Grant is interested in reuniting with Jim Harbaugh on the Chargers
Grant was a member of Michigan's National Championship team in 2023 with Harbaugh and the aforementioned other members of the current Chargers' coaching staff.
Statistically, Grant had arguably his best season in 2024. The standout draft prospect set career highs in pressures (27), run stops (22) in his final Michigan campaign. He also received the highest single-season PFF defense and run defense grades of his career in 2024.
After the Philadelphia Eagles' dominant defensive line wrecked the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, it'll be interesting to see just how much the league values a deep defensive tackle draft class. For the Chargers, that very well might start with Grant in the first round.