Rayshaun Benny

NFL Draft Profile: Rayshaun Benny

Position: Defensive Tackle | School: Michigan | Class: Graduate Student (Senior)

Height: 6'4" | Weight: 305 lbs | Archetype: Balance

College Career Summary

Rayshaun Benny is a veteran of the "blue-collar" Michigan interior, having contributed to three Big Ten titles and the 2023 National Championship. A former four-star recruit who famously flipped from Michigan State, Benny’s career has been defined by his role as a high-floor rotational piece who eventually stepped into a starting role in 2025. After suffering a broken ankle/fibula in the 2024 Rose Bowl, he displayed immense Mental Toughness during a grueling rehab to return for his final season. In 2025, he earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors, serving as the dependable veteran presence on a defensive line that transitioned from the Jim Harbaugh era to Sherrone Moore.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 53

• Total Tackles: 103 (31 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 11.5 (3.0 in 2025)

• Sacks: 4.0 (1.5 in 2025)

• Fumble Recoveries: 1 (2025 vs. Purdue)

• Pass Breakups: 6

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
New Mexico	1 Tackle	B-	Solid anchor in season debut; limited snaps.
@ No. 8 Oklahoma	2 Tackles, 1.0 TFL	A-	Showed good "get-off" against elite competition.
Central Mich.	3 Tackles	B	Controlled the A-gap; shared Defensive Player of the Week.
@ Nebraska	3 Tackles, 1.5 Sacks	A+	Career High Sacks. Dominated the interior pass rush.
Wisconsin	3 Tackles	B+	Heavy lifting against the run; highly efficient.
@ No. 16 USC	1 Tackle	C+	Struggled with USC's lateral scheme; high pad level.
Washington	1 Tackle, 1 PBU	B	Active hands; neutralized the screen game.
@ Michigan St.	1 Tackle, 1 QBH	B-	Quiet statistically but disciplined in the rivalry game.
Purdue	6 Tackles, 1 FR	A	Career High Tackles. Recovered a fumble in a tight win.
@ Northwestern	4 Tackles, 1 PBU	A-	Great pursuit speed; vocal leader on the field.
@ Maryland	3 Tackles	B	Consistent run-stopping; kept LBs clean.
No. 3 Ohio State	3 Tackles, 1 PBU	B+	Fought hard in a loss; showed elite mental toughness.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Technical Mastery: Benny is one of the most technically sound DTs in the class. He understands leverage, hand placement, and gap integrity, rarely being "out-athleted" due to poor positioning.

• Versatility: Has the frame to play the 1-tech but the quickness to slide out to 3-tech. He is a "plug-and-play" prospect for multiple schemes.

• Durability & Mental Toughness: Returning from a major leg injury to play 12 games in 2025 proved his Stamina and dedication to the team.

• Pass Deflection: Uses his 6'4" height effectively to bat down balls (6 career PBUs) when the pass rush doesn't get home.

Weaknesses

• Lack of Elite "Twitch": While he is quick, he doesn't have the explosive first step seen in top-tier pass rushers. He wins more with Strength and effort than pure burst.

• Injury History: The Rose Bowl ankle/fibula injury will require a medical check. While he played through it in 2025, scouts will look for any loss of lateral Agility.

• Finishing Power: He gets into the backfield consistently but sometimes lacks the "closing speed" to finish the sack on mobile quarterbacks.

Scheme Fit: Best as a 3-Technique in a 4-3 "One-Gap" system or a DE in a 3-4 front.

NFL Comparison: Hassan Ridgeway / Roy Lopez

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 19/20 | Physical Tools: 16/20 | Attributes: 17/20 | Athleticism: 15/20 | IQ: 18/20

Final Grade: 85/100

Rayshaun Benny is the "glue" that makes a defensive line work. He doesn't seek the spotlight, but his Team Player mentality and ability to execute complex defensive assignments will make him a coaching staff favorite. He is a high-floor prospect who may not have a high ceiling as a double-digit sack artist, but he will provide 8–10 years of reliable service as a rotational or bridge starter. Because he lacks "freak" athleticism but excels in IQ and technique, he is a classic mid-round value.

Draft Projection: 4th - 5th Round