Jim Harbaugh accepted the Big Ten’s three-game suspension in 2023. Yet not a single negative word came from Michigan’s players or coaches. Instead, his former team rallied around him, even wearing ‘Free Harbaugh‘ shirts in a bold show of support. That loyalty speaks volumes about how deeply his players respect him—and how eager many are to follow him into the league.
There’s no doubt Harbaugh has always worn his heart on his sleeve when it comes to Michigan. After nearly a decade leading the program in Ann Arbor, he returned to the NFL to coach the Los Angeles Chargers. But he didn’t leave Michigan behind. He brought his signature coaching style to L.A.—and possibly a pipeline of talent.
With the Chargers now eyeing top prospects in the upcoming draft, don’t be surprised if a few familiar faces from Michigan join him. One name to watch: defensive tackle Kenneth Grant.
In an interview with ESPN, Grant, who played a key role in Michigan’s 2023 national championship run, didn’t hide how much Harbaugh meant to him. The standout defensive tackle even shared his dream of reuniting with his former coach in the NFL, saying, “I mean, (it would be) a lot.”
“It would mean a lot.”
NFL draft DT prospect Kenneth Grant reflects on how it would feel to reunite with coach Jim Harbaugh on the Chargers pic.twitter.com/OTRwMkkvQf
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 21, 2025
In addition, Grant didn’t just praise Harbaugh’s coaching. He opened up about the man behind the headset, too, saying, “Aside from football, he’s a great coach, great person in general. I mean, it’s so much to relate to, you know, just listen to him. Listen to him talk. I mean, you could learn so much from him, but also kind of like get a laugh out of it too.” Looking back, Grant said what really stuck with him was how Harbaugh believed in him from the start.
“I think just recruiting me to be honest, you know, he knew my potential that I could have, what I could do. He saw the light in me, you know. It was just all about winning for him, all about winning that National Championship, winning rivalry games. And I mean, that’s something I want to be a part of.” No doubt, Grant is one of the top DT prospects. If he revealed his wish to join his former coach, he could likely do so.
In three seasons at Michigan, the NCAA Champion racked up 69 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. He left it all on the field, and in return, Harbaugh once called him and his star teammate Mason Graham “gifts from the football gods.”
The Chargers are reportedly eyeing Grant for a first-round pick this year. But until then, we’ll have to sit tight and see how it all plays out. And funny enough… While Harbaugh might love his Wolverines, he’s also being advised to steer clear of picking this Michigan prospect.
Jim Harbaugh shouldn’t draft Kenneth Grant?
Jim Harbaugh has never hidden his love for Michigan. He played there in the ’80s, came back in 2015 to coach, and spent nearly a decade building something special. Even when he jumped back to the NFL, he hired Jesse Minter, his defensive coordinator from the Wolverines, to run the Chargers’ defense in Los Angeles. Now, with the draft coming fast, the Chargers are being tied to a bunch of Michigan prospects.
For weeks, tight end Colston Loveland looked like the guy. But with reports saying he could be off the board before pick No. 22. So, as is obvious, the attention is shifting. Now, some believe defensive tackle Kenneth Grant could be next in line. But guess what? Not everyone’s on board.
Draft expert Brent Sobleski warns Jim Harbaugh: Unless you’re getting a true superstar, nose tackle just isn’t worth a first-round pick. And he doesn’t think Grant is that guy. He believes the Chargers would be smarter to grab a wide receiver or tight end early. That’s because once Day 2 hits, the best pass catchers could be gone. With the team desperate for some offensive weapons, they can’t afford to sit back and hope for the best. Hence, Grant might not see his dream coming true this year!
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