Top 10 University of Michigan football players of all time
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (BVM) — Many great student-athletes have donned the maize and blue at Michigan, the winningest college football program of all time. These are the top 10 Wolverines in team history.
10. Mike Hart, RB, 2004-07
Hart holds the record for career rushing yards (5,040) at Michigan and he’s the only back to reach 5,000 yards with the Wolverines. The 5-foot-9 New Yorker claims the most 100-yard rushing games (28) for U of M. Plus, he won Big Ten Freshman of the Year with 1,455 yards and nine ground scores in 2004. In addition, he recorded 1,005 rushing attempts without a fumble. Last year, Hart rejoined the Wolverines as running backs coach.
Michigan has had a line of great running backs and Mike Hart is one of the best 🔥
Trying to stop Mike Hart for all 60 minutes was almost impossible. @MHart2032 #GoBlue #Michigan pic.twitter.com/3OVUvv8jMj
— Saturday Gameday (@SaturdayGameday) March 19, 2022
9. Steve Hutchinson, OL, 1996-2000
Hutchinson set the standard for offensive line play at Michigan. As a senior, the 6-foot-5, 300-pounder pulled unanimous All-American honors. The left guard from South Florida played a key role on the Wolverines’ 1997 national title team. Hutchinson served as U of M captain twice. No. 76 didn’t give up a single sack in 1999 or 2000.
Michigan Wolverine Steve Hutchinson NFL & College Hall of Famer Honorary Captain M vs Washington pic.twitter.com/VKBxSZ7znO
— john r. ghindia (@jrgteam) September 12, 2021
8. Denard Robinson, QB, 2009-12
Shoelace streaked his way past defenders into the Michigan record books. The 5-foot-11 field general ranks second with 4,495 career rushing yards and fifth all-time with 6,250 passing yards. Add them together and his total yardage (10,745) tops the Wolverines by a wide margin. The Florida-born Robinson takes third in rushing TDs (42) and fourth (49) in passing TDs at U of M.
With Denard Robinson coming back to Michigan here's Shoelace destroying Notre Dame's soul pic.twitter.com/q7ymWMNlSb
— Trevor Woods (@WoodsFootball) February 23, 2022
7. Dave Brown, DB, 1972-74
The 6-foot-1 standout scored consensus All-American awards each of his final two seasons. As a senior, he was voted a unanimous pick. In 2007, Brown entered the College Football Hall of Fame. What’s more, he got selected for the U of M All-Century Team.
Back in 1972, MSU was knocking on Michigan’s doorstep. In the 3rd quarter with the Wolverines leading, 3-0, this was the Spartans’ best drive & best chance to score…until Dave Brown shot out of the M secondary like a missile and ended any hopes of MSU scoring.
Enjoy & GO BLUE!! pic.twitter.com/RJidIFlxNx— Dr. Sap (@DrSap4UM) May 9, 2020
6. Tripp Welborne, DB, 1987-90
“Tripp does more than any player we’ve ever had,” former coach Lloyd Carr once said. Welborne is the lone Wolverine to earn unanimous All-American distinction twice. The North Carolina native added a team MVP in 1990. And he’s enshrined in the Michigan Hall of Honor.
We are now 3 Sullivan Anthony “Tripp” Welborne III days from the start of the 2019 〽️🏈 Season.
Below is his 64-yard punt return vs UCLA in 1989.
The link below will take you to a few more Tripp videos on my Dr. Sap YouTube Channel:https://t.co/CbglNKwqSX
Enjoy & GO BLUE!!🤓👍 pic.twitter.com/cb2CUdnooC— Dr. Sap (@DrSap4UM) August 28, 2019
5. Bennie Oosterbaan, 1925-27
Oosterbaan was a three-time consensus All-American, with a unanimous nod in 1927. While known as a pioneer wide receiver, he could line up just about anywhere on the field. That includes on defense as well. In 1948, Oosterbaan coached U of M to a college football crown.
We'll see you Saturday when we officially retire Bennie Oosterbaan’s No. 47! #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/K0p7W04UtR
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) November 24, 2015
4. Anthony Carter, WR, 1979-82
AC tallied three All-American seasons at Michigan. Carter is No. 2 all-time both in receiving yards (3,076) yards and touchdowns (37) for the Wolverines. The great wideout also garnered team MVP accolades twice.
You can’t talk about Michigan-Illinois without mentioning this play from the 1982 game. Anthony Carter was special. He made great plays like this look so easy & effortless. Enjoy & GO BLUE!! pic.twitter.com/LpYNSAMzEY
— Dr. Sap (@DrSap4UM) October 10, 2019
3. Desmond Howard, WR, 1989-91
The 1991 Heisman Trophy winner left quite a legacy at U of M. Howard owns the single-season TD record with 19. He is among the top three in career TD catches (32). Beyond that, he’s No. 5 all time (1,211) in kickoff return yards.
Twenty-five years ago, Desmond Howard had his "Hello Heisman" moment for Michigan… #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/WwLBbyn3ZZ
— Campus Insiders (@CampusInsiders) November 24, 2016
2. Tom Harmon, RB, 1938-40
Harmon was a two-time All-American, consensus in 1939 and unanimous the following year. “Old 98” logged 30 rushing TDs and 16 passing TDs for the Wolverines. In 1940, Harmon captured the Maxwell Award and bagged the school’s first-ever Heisman Trophy.
To understand the dominant, downhill rambling beast that was 1940 Heisman winner Tom Harmon, watch these 2 runs and for posterity, Old 98 with the XP. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/GEhOrvhriW
— MVictors (@MVictors) December 17, 2021
1. Charles Woodson, CB, 1995-97
The U of M icon snared Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Woodson sits second all time with 18 career INTs. He’s highly decorated with a case full of trophies: Chuck Bednarik, Walter Camp, Bronko Nagurski, and Jim Thorpe awards. No. 2 even took home the 1997 Heisman Trophy.
2 DAYS UNTIL COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Throwback to Michigan’s great No. 2 Charles Woodson, the ONLY defensive player to win the Heisman 🏆pic.twitter.com/ofiI0fojFl
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 25, 2022
