December 31, 2024: Michigan defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny 26 gives chase to Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe 4 during an NCAA, College League, USA football game between the Michigan Wolverines and Alabama Crimson Tide at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. /CSM Tampa United States - ZUMAc04_ 20241231_faf_c04_044 Copyright: xMikexJanesx

Apr 26, 2026, 6:14 PM CUT

Rayshaun Benny Reunites With Former Michigan Coach as He Heads to the Ravens

After five years at Michigan, Rayshaun Benny's draft pick moment arrived late on Day 3 as the Baltimore Ravens picked him overall 250th. With that, now comes a reunion with a former (interim) head coach.

Jesse Minter and defensive line coach Lou Esposito were both part of Benny's days at Michigan.

Minter, who was Michigan's defensive coordinator (in 2022) when Benny was a freshman, is now the head coach of Baltimore. The transition means an already known system, instead of walking into an entirely new one.

In Baltimore, it is more than just a fresh start under Minter. Benny also links back up with former Michigan position coach Lou Esposito, who was brought in by the new Ravens coach.

January 1, 2024: Baltimore Ravens new coach Jesse Minter is the fourth head coach in franchise history at the Under Armour Performance Center. - ZUMAm67_ 20240101_zaf_m67_020 Copyright: xKevinxRichardsonx

Benny was picked in the seventh round, a landing spot that ties up directly with his history. According to reporting by Detroit Free Press, the later pick was a bit of a surprise, as Benny was widely projected as a fourth-round talent, being placed between picks 90 and 150.

“Iron sharpens iron… just gives me a standpoint on how I’ll turn out in the league,” Benny said about his development in an appearance on Good Morning Football.

Now in Baltimore, the switch seems less a restart and more a prolonging. The 10th defensive lineman for the Ravens this year has had a five-year-long journey of his own to reach here.

How Benny worked his way up at Michigan

Before heading to the Baltimore Ravens, Rayshaun Benny spent five seasons with the Michigan Wolverines football team. His path there was quite the climb.

Initially, he only played a few snaps as a reserve piece, and gradually, he was given a bigger role.

In his final season in 2025, the transition was obvious. Benny started all 13 games and put up 35 tackles, three tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks, along with a couple of pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

Over time, that consistency added up. Throughout his college life, he appeared in 53 games over five seasons and made 107 tackles, with 12 of them being TFLs.

Now reunited with his former coach, the secondary addition will be hoping for a chance to make the most out of his draft pick.

Written by

Debanjali Rakshit

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote