It happens every year. A highly-touted recruit arrives in Ann Arbor with a mountain of expectations, only to find themselves buried under one of the most talented depth charts in the country. That is basically the story of the Michigan football Kechaun Bennett transfer. Bennett, a former four-star edge rusher from Connecticut, spent four seasons in the Big Blue system. He won a National Championship ring. He played in the Rose Bowl. He even blocked a crucial punt against Minnesota in 2024.
But for a kid who was ranked the top player in his state coming out of high school, "special teams hero" wasn't the final destination he had in mind.
Honestly, the move wasn't a shock. When Sherrone Moore took over the program, he didn't mince words about the defensive line. He called it the best in the country. He wasn't lying. With guys like Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant clogging the middle, and a rotation of NFL-caliber ends like TJ Guy and Derrick Moore, the path to significant snaps for Bennett was basically a brick wall. On April 23, 2025, Bennett made it official and entered the NCAA transfer portal as a graduate student.
The Reality Behind the Michigan Football Kechaun Bennett Transfer
Why did it take four years? Usually, if a four-star doesn't start by year three, they're gone. But Bennett stayed. He was a "culture guy." He was the "Scout Team Defensive Player of the Week" more times than he probably cares to remember. You've got to respect the grind.
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In 2024, he actually appeared in all 13 games for Michigan. That sounds like a lot, right? Well, look closer at the numbers. He was only on the field for about 27 defensive snaps the entire season. Most of his work came on kick coverage and punt return units. He was productive there—that blocked punt against Minnesota literally set up a touchdown—but at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, he wanted to be hunting quarterbacks, not chasing down returners.
A New Chapter in Los Angeles
When the Michigan football Kechaun Bennett transfer portal news broke, schools started calling. It didn't take long for him to find a home. By April 30, 2025, he had committed to UCLA.
It was a smart move. DeShaun Foster’s Bruins were desperate for experienced edge rushers. They needed someone who had seen Big Ten level physicality and could jump into the rotation immediately. Bennett didn't just join the rotation; he became a focal point.
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- 2025 Stats at UCLA:
- 11 games played, 3 starts.
- 25 total tackles (nearly 4x his entire Michigan career total).
- 3.0 tackles for loss.
- His first career collegiate sack (against UNLV).
Seeing him finally get those stats is a bit of a "told you so" moment for the scouts who liked him coming out of Suffield Academy. He always had the frame. He always had the first-step quickness. He just needed the airtime.
Why the Portal Actually Worked for Both Sides
Sometimes a transfer is messy. This wasn't one of them. Michigan needed the roster spot to bring in high-impact portal targets like wide receiver Jaime Ffrench and quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi. Meanwhile, Bennett needed a place where he wasn't the fifth option on the depth chart.
It's a classic case of the modern "grad transfer" success story. Michigan got four years of high-character depth and special teams production. UCLA got a veteran starter who could lead a young room. Bennett got his degree and a chance to put real film together for NFL scouts.
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If you’re a Michigan fan, you probably remember him mostly for that #52 jersey flying down the field on punts. If you’re a UCLA fan, you see him as a reliable veteran who stabilized a defense during a transition year.
What’s Next for Kechaun Bennett?
Now that the 2025 season is in the rearview mirror, Bennett is eyeing the professional ranks. His jump in production at UCLA—logging 103 snaps in just the first three games—showed that the "Michigan developmental" label carries weight. He might not be a first-round lock, but a 6-foot-4 edge with Big Ten experience and a high motor is exactly what teams look for in the late rounds or as a priority free agent.
The Michigan football Kechaun Bennett transfer serves as a reminder that "bust" is a relative term. He didn't start at Michigan, but he was a contributor to a championship-winning era. Then, he went and proved he could play at a high level elsewhere.
If you're tracking former Wolverines in the pros, keep an eye on Bennett's Pro Day numbers this spring. His wingspan and agility scores are likely to surprise some people who only ever saw him on the Michigan bench. You can follow his draft prep through UCLA’s official athletic site or catch his highlights from the 2025 season on YouTube to see the difference a change of scenery can make.
For fans following the portal this cycle, the lesson is simple: don't write off the "reserve" players from elite programs. Sometimes they just need a different jersey to show what they're actually worth.