The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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12 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MARCH 2025 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS FOUR U-M STARS MAKE MEL KIPER'S BIG BOARD TOP 25 Michigan should be well represented at the top of the 2025 NFL Draft according to ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. The draft guru has four U-M stars inside the top 25 on his latest big board, released in late January. Defensive tackle Mason Graham comes in at No. 3 overall behind Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter. Not far behind Graham was classmate and cornerback Will Johnson, who sits at No. 6 overall. Tight end Colston Loveland was next up at No. 16 overall and the second-ranked player at his position in the class behind only Penn State's Tyler Warren, who was 12th. De- fensive tackle Kenneth Grant rounded out the U-M group at No. 25, fourth at his position behind Graham, Ole Miss' Walter Nolen and Oregon's Derrick Harmon. Senior edge rusher Josaiah Stewart made Kiper's posi- tional rankings as the 10th-best outside linebacker prospect in the class. He was the only Michigan player in this grouping who did not enter the draft early. The 2025 NFL Draft will be held April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wis. The first round will be held on the on Day 1 with the second and third rounds coming on Day 2. Rounds four through seven will take place on Day 3. NEW HOCKEY ARENA MENTIONED IN RECENT FEASIBILITY STUDY U-M has called Yost Arena its ice hockey home since 1973, but a recent feasibility study into the foundation of a wom- en's hockey program kicks around the idea of a new facility on campus. College Hockey News obtained the results of a recent study on what it would take to launch an intercollegiate varsity team for Michigan women's hockey, which has been playing under a club designation since 1994. Produced by College Sports Associates (CSA), the study outlined what would be necessary to get the ball rolling, which includes ex- panded facilities and, potentially, a new home for the men's and women's teams. "The seemingly most viable option is adding a new arena on campus that would house both teams," CHN reporter Ty- ler Kuehl said. "The new building, projected to cost around $300 million, would give a new home to both the men's and the new women's team. The plan would be to construct a rink with an 8,000-10,000 seating capacity, similar to what is seen at Mariucci Arena on the campus of the University of Minnesota. "While the cost of building a new arena is high, it would not only provide better amenities to fans but also give the teams improved facilities that are comparable to other elite programs around the NCAA. Yost Arena's capacity is cur- rently around 6,000." CHN's report also states the study included the option of two rinks for the separate programs. Michigan men's hockey would play in the larger arena, while a smaller rink similar to Minnesota's Ridder Arena (3,400 capacity) would be on the table. It would cost the university an estimated $330 mil- lion, per the feasibility study. The option of the men staying at Yost and a new arena for the women was not mentioned in the report. The cheapest option outlined in the study would be an expansion and upgrade of Yost, estimated to cost around $50 million. The proposed expansion from CSA would extend into the south parking lot near Schembechler Hall, which would cover additional locker rooms and more space for student-athletes. CHN says that the Michigan athletics department is cur- rently reviewing the study and will work with the board of regents to determine a path forward. The CSA study stated that if approved soon, a Michigan women's intercollegiate team could start play officially as soon as fall 2026. Yost was built in 1923 as a field house and housed the men's basketball team until it relocated to Crisler Arena, now Crisler Center, in 1973. The last major renovation of Yost came in 2012. — Anthony Broome MAIZE AND BLUE NOTEBOOK Former U-M defensive tackle Mason Graham is projected as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by ESPN analyst Mel Kiper. PHOTO COURTESY MASON GRAHAM