Two top prospects from Michigan – cornerback Will Johnson and defensive tackle Kenneth Grant – will not work out at the Combine, per ESPN’s Jordan Reid and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Fellow Wolverine Mason Graham will only participate in the bench press, according to Rapoport.
Graham opted out of his workout, while Grant was diagnosed with a hamstring strain during Combine medical evaluations. Johnson missed the second half of the season with turf toe and is waiting until Michigan’s pro day to return to the field. He will be joined by Graham and Grant, and all three are expected to go in the first-round of April’s draft.
Johnson, Graham, and Grant join a growing list of players who are not working out at the Combine. Some, including Michigan teammate Colston Loveland, cannot participate due to medical reasons. Other top prospects like Travis Hunter are simply opting out.
Graham is the fourth-ranked prospect on Daniel Jeremiah’s pre-combine big board after three excellent seasons at Michigan. He is projected to be the first defensive tackle taken in the draft, with Grant battling for DT2 with a few other players. Johnson is among the top cornerbacks in the draft, but will need to prove that he’s healthy after last year’s absence.
The three Wolverines were major contributors to Michigan’s top-ranked defense in 2023 en route to a national championship. The team took a step back in 2024, but all three players still showed that they’re ready for the NFL.
Dont blame them. Couple years ago Michigan’s Ojabo tore his achilies during his pro day and cost himself being drafted in the 1st round. Fell towards middle of the 2nd due to the injury.
Ojabo injury reminds me of the time I wrecked a new Buick while test driving. Salesman suffered only minor injuries.
Important question, was the car ok?
If guys are going to be judged by fractions of seconds, it makes sense they’d want to sleep in their own beds and work out in a comfortable place. Plus for guys who made playoff runs it gives them extra time to train strictly for testing.