NFL
Rayshaun Benny
DT · #99 · Baltimore Ravens
At Michigan
2021-2025
Drafted
Round 7, Pick 250 · 2026 · Baltimore Ravens
Honours
Woodley-Graham Award, National Champion, 3x Big Ten Champion
What they did in Ann Arbor
Woodley-Graham Award Winner
Overview
Rayshaun Benny was a defensive lineman for Michigan from 2021 to 2025. An in-state product from Oak Park, he developed from a rotational player into a full-time starter and earned All-Big Ten recognition in his final season.
Benny appeared in 54 career games with 15 starts and was part of three consecutive Big Ten championship teams and the 2023 national championship squad. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round (250th overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Career Statistics (Michigan)
Season | Games | Starts | Tackles | Solo | Ast | TFL | Sacks | PD | FF | FR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2022 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 4 | 9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2023 | 14 | 1 | 27 | 13 | 14 | 5.5 | 1.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
2024 | 11 | 2 | 29 | 15 | 14 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
2025 | 13 | 13 | 35 | 19 | 16 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
Career | 54 | 16 | 107 | 53 | 54 | 12.0 | 4.0 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
Career Highs
Tackles: 6 (vs. Purdue, Nov. 1, 2025)
Tackles for Loss: 2.0 (multiple times)
Sacks: 1.5 (at Nebraska, Sept. 20, 2025)
Year-by-Year Notes
2021 (Freshman)
Appeared in three games in a reserve role.
2022 (Sophomore)
Played in 13 games as a rotational defensive lineman.
2023 (Junior)
Saw increased action in 14 games (one start). Recorded 27 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and a forced fumble. Suffered a broken ankle in the Rose Bowl and missed the national championship game, where he served as an honorary captain.
2024 (Senior)
Appeared in 11 games with two starts. Posted 29 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
2025 (Graduate Student)
Started all 13 games. Finished with 35 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery. Earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors and the Woodley-Graham Award as Michigan’s top defensive lineman.
Awards & Honors
Third-Team All-Big Ten (2025)
Woodley-Graham Award (Top Defensive Lineman, 2025)
Five-time letterman (2021–2025)
Three-time Big Ten Champion
National Champion (2023)
Background
Hometown: Oak Park / Detroit, Michigan
High School: Oak Park High School
Recruiting: Four-star prospect; originally committed to Michigan State before flipping to Michigan
Ranked among the top players in the state of Michigan in the 2021 class
Benny waited his turn behind established defensive linemen before becoming a full-time starter in his fifth year.
Legacy at Michigan
Rayshaun Benny represents the development path of a local product who earned his role through patience and consistency. He contributed on three Big Ten title teams and a national championship squad before stepping into a starting role and earning All-Big Ten recognition in 2025.
His combination of size, strength, and experience along the interior defensive line made him a reliable presence in his final season.
Quick Facts
Height/Weight: 6-3 / 6-4, 298–305 lbs
Position: Defensive Line (Interior)
Jersey: No. 26 (later wore No. 55 at times)
Drafted: 2026 NFL Draft – Round 7, Pick 250 (Baltimore Ravens)