ANN ARBOR >> Michigan defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny knows that donning the No. 55 jersey comes with certain expectations. While it doesn’t have the cachet at Michigan of Heisman Trophy winners Charles Woodson’s No. 2 or Desmond Howard’s 21, the number carries some weight.

Most recently, All-America defensive lineman Mason Graham, a projected first-round NFL Draft pick next month, wore No. 55. Other big names at Michigan who have worn it include Brandon Graham, a 15-year NFL veteran who was the Big Ten co-MVP in 2009, and linebacker Dhani Jones, who played on the 1997 AP national championship team.

Benny, from Detroit, wore No. 55 at Oak Park High School but was given 26 when he arrived at Michigan in 2021.

“Definitely looking forward to it. Just want to live up (to) it,” Benny said Friday of the number change. “For me, it was personal because the whole time I played football, I had that number, then I came here and switched it up. It just felt kinda good getting back into it. It felt like I was back to my roots.”

The number worn at Michigan, he said, is “legendary.”

“You know who’s been here,” he said.

The 6-foot-4, 296-pound fifth-year senior wants to build his own legend this season and is expected to be among the leaders of a deep defense. Benny was a backup playing behind Graham and Kenneth Grant, both expected to be high draft picks next month, but he also considered heading to the NFL.

After the Wolverines finished last season 8-5, including three straight wins to end the season, including upsets of Ohio State and Alabama, Benny decided he wanted another year at Michigan.

“There was more on the table for me,” Benny said. “I think we can get another natty (national championship). The team looked good, so I wanted to run it back with my guys.”

Benny played in 11 games and made two starts last season, including the bowl game. He had 29 tackles, including 3.5 for loss. He said his goal this season is to become a leader and to help the younger players.

“Real happy with how we ended,” Benny said of last season, “so just looking forward to how the guys keep developing.”

Michigan added two experienced tackles from the transfer portal, Tre Williams, who was at Clemson, and Damon Payne from Alabama. Graham has said all offseason he expects to see Trey Pierce also take a big step this fall, and Benny mentioned Enow Etta as another.

“I like how deep we are,” Benny said. “This year reminds me actually of the ‘23 year with how deep we are on the D-line. I got high expectations for this year.”

And Benny has high expectations for living up to his new jersey number, as does defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who during a recent appearance on the in-house podcast, “In the Trenches,” said Benny is going to play a major role this fall.

“He knows how to lead because the guys that were in his room, that’s the guys he’s used to being around with Mason and KG,” Martindale said of Benny. “I told you the cool thing about the Northwestern game of how the veterans reacted to the other guys coming into the game and there was no drop-off, I think that it’s the same thing with Rayshaun. He knows what it’s supposed to look like. He’s gonna be a fun guy to watch.”