ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny discussed the defense’s progress and team dynamics ahead of their home/season opener against the New Mexico Lobos inside The Big House in Ann Arbor.
Guys like defensive lineman Trey Pierce have been getting love from head coach Sherrone Moore and Benny, who said the 6’2” 315 315-pound sophomore has improved all around his game.
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“The stuff that used to bother him in the past doesn’t bother him,” said Benny. “If it’s a good play, good. If it’s a bad play, let’s get the next play and make it good.”
Benny added that his junior year was when he felt he came into his full self and expects high performance from Pierce.
“We got high expectations out of him,” Benny said.
Defense’s biggest jump
Benny said the biggest jump from the start of fall camp to now has been the team’s togetherness.
“It was a lot of new players, transfers, and just people who, like, didn’t have maybe the same role from last year, including myself,” Benny said. “Everybody is trying to get comfortable in the defense and know what they do best.”
When asked if Pierce plays more like 2025 NFL draft first-round picks Mason Graham or Kenneth Grant, Benny said he wouldn’t compare him to anyone.
“We’re all our own selves,” Benny said. “Just ultimately trying to be the best us every day.”
Benny shared that defensive captain Ernest Hausmann described the team as “starving,” not just hungry.
“We all pretty much embraced what he said,” Benny said. “We all felt the same way, so just ready to go out there and eat.”
Regarding individual and team goals, Benny noted that the focus is on improving every day and accumulating good days.
“We got new goals every day to work towards,” Benny said.
Benny praised newcomers Damon Payne Jr. and Tre Williams for fitting right in.
“We hang out with each other a lot,” Benny said. “Dame was the one we had to get comfortable, but he’s very funny now.”
Benny said Payne Jr. got comfortable around May or June, thanks to the close-knit nature of their group.
“We just pretty much opened the door with open arms,” Benny said.
Benny described the challenge of practicing against new true freshman starting quarterback Bryce Underwood, saying the defense has to chase him down and not give him lanes.
“He’s very good practice for us,” Benny said. “I just can’t wait for y’all to see it Saturday.”
Starting quarterback
Benny said he didn’t think much about who would be the starting quarterback, leaving that to the coaches.
“It was fun to see the guys compete,” Benny said. “Whatever was going to happen was going to be the best decision for the team.”
Locker room dynamics
Regarding locker room dynamics, Benny noted that the team mixes across position groups, creating a good atmosphere.
“Somebody might be at your locker who doesn’t belong there, but you ain’t going to trip,” Benny said.
Surprise in camp
When asked who surprised him most in camp, Benny said Williams and Enow Etta made big leaps in the last two weeks.
“They were just making plays, getting high production,” Benny said. “They’re peaking at the right time.”
Finally, Benny touched on how hungry the team is and described how this year feels very different from previous years.
“We were used to doing a lot of winning,” Benny said. “Last season was a little bit of a dip in that. So we look forward to getting that ball rolling again and ultimately end up at the natty.”