Top 10 University of Michigan quarterbacks of all time
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (BVM) – The University of Michigan football team has a long and storied history dating back to 1879. The Wolverines have featured a slew of high-level signal callers since then. These are the top U of M quarterbacks from the late 19th century on.
10. Denard Robinson, 2009-12
The 5-foot-11 fireball burned the opposition with his blazing 4.32 speed. Robinson set a new NCAA Division I career rushing record by a quarterback with 4,495 yards. Plus he recorded 42 rushing TDs. He became the only student-athlete to tally 2,500 passing and 1,500 rushing yards in a year. The former All-American ranks fifth all-time in Wolverines career passing yards.
https://twitter.com/AlwaysMaize/status/882000160250896384
9. Elvis Grbac, 1989-92
Michigan won the Big Ten in each of the three seasons that Grbac was their starter. As a senior, he steered them to a Rose Bowl victory. Grbac holds the maize and blue mark for TD passes in a season with 25. And he slots third all-time in career TDs thrown at Michigan with 71.
1⃣5⃣ is 5⃣1⃣.
HBD to former @UMIchFootball QB Elvis Grbac! 🎂🎁🎈 pic.twitter.com/gea3htFy3C
— Michigan On BTN (@MichiganOnBTN) August 13, 2021
8. Tom Brady, 1996-99
Brady is No. 9 on the list of career passing yards at Michigan. He is 10th all time in career touchdown passes for the Wolverines. That is, despite the fact he didn’t take over the starting spot until his junior campaign. He bagged bowl game victories both years he led the first unit.
⏪ In his final collegiate game, @TomBrady overcame two 14 point deficits en route to @UMichFootball’s OT victory over Alabama in the 2000 Orange Bowl 🍊 pic.twitter.com/C5KGiq3uZE
— Capital One Orange Bowl (@OrangeBowl) February 3, 2022
7. Dennis Franklin, 1971-74
Franklin fueled the U of M offense from 1972-1974. He took Michigan to the Big Ten title every season he served as their top field general. His collegiate record under center speaks the loudest, as he closed his career at 30-2-1.
Some Dennis Franklin highlights for ya…
“Only the good ones…” pic.twitter.com/SWuEwhek3B— Dr. Sap (@DrSap4UM) February 10, 2022
6. Brian Griese, 1995-97
The second-generation gridder gets bonus points for leading 12-0 Michigan to their most recent college football championship. They finished No. 1 in the AP Top 25 to close his senior year. What’s more, Griese was 3-0 vs. blood rival Ohio State through his tenure.
5. Chad Henne, 2004-07
Henne claimed a Big Ten crown in his freshman year. To add, he owns a number of major Michigan passing records — most career completions, passing yards & touchdowns – and they aren’t close.
Another one of my favorites from Michigan-MSU. From 2007, the “Little Brother” game. Down 10 with 7:40 to play, Chad Henne led Michigan back to beat Sparty on a bad knee. pic.twitter.com/PnHISLbpFl
— Matt Barbish (@M_Barbish) November 16, 2019
4. Harry Newman, 1930-32
In 1932, Newman’s Wolverines won a college football title and seized the Knute Rockne Memorial Trophy. He was voted a consensus first-team All-American and awarded the Douglas Fairbanks Trophy as well. Newman went 24-1-2 in his career with the Wolverines.
3. Jim Harbaugh, 1983-86
Harbaugh’s roots in Ann Arbor run deep. He grew up on campus, his father Jack coached on Bo Schembechler’s staff from 1973-79. The present-day U of M head coach garnered All-American honors under center in 1986. He logged over 5,400 yards for the Wolverines and topped Ohio State twice.
Remembering the time when Keith Jackson raved about what @CoachJim4UM did against Notre Dame in 1986.
His voice will be missed, but the memories of his classic calls & phrases will live on!
@brandymancan @JohnKryk @BrMadej @TJA4Michigan pic.twitter.com/2Hs2Mg78ob— Dr. Sap (@DrSap4UM) January 13, 2018
2. Benny Friedman, 1925-26
The multi-faceted Friedman earned first-team All-American recognition twice in his two years as starting quarterback. In addition, he lined up all over the field. Believe it or not, Friedman even starred for the Wolverines on special teams. He is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
1. Rick Leach, 1975-78
Leach led Michigan to three Big Ten titles. He posted over 4,200 career passing yards with 48 TDs. Leach added 2,171 yards and 34 TDs on the ground. The left-hander was a top player of his time.
Here's some vintage Rick Leach @UMichFootball highlights to celebrate #WaybackWednesday. pic.twitter.com/bjIK7bOHsV
— Michigan On BTN (@MichiganOnBTN) July 15, 2020
