Michigan Football Position Greats
It has been said in Michigan Football that "the expectation is for the position," and here are the best players who have played for the Michigan Football program by position.
Best Michigan Football Players By Jersey Number
100 Michigan Touchdowns (100 More)
Rick Leach, Steve Smith, Brian Griese, John Wangler, Bob Timberlake, Todd Collins, Harry Newman, Pete Elliott and Drew Henson were great quarterbacks at Michigan; however, none were elected Captain. Of course, prior to 1970, there was only one captain chosen; since 1970, we've had as many as four chosen in a single season. Don Moorehead, Dennis Franklin, Jim Harbaugh, Elvis Grbac, Tom Brady, Forest Evashevski, Benny Friedman and John Navarre were all elected Captains by their teammates.
The Best of Tommy Brady at Michigan
Some of the great running backsin Michigan Wolverine Football History include: Tom Harmon, Chris Perry, Anthony Thomas, Tyrone Wheatley, Tim Biakabatuka, Harlan Huckleby, Mike Hart, Gordon Bell, Larry Ricks, Jon Vaughn, Ricky Powers, Butch Woolfolk, Rob Lytle, Tony Boles, Jamie Morris, Stanley Edwards, Billy Taylor, Glenn Doughty, Dave Raimey, Ron Johnson, Don Lund, Don Dufek Sr., Bump Elliott, Bob Chappuis, Harry Kipke, Dick Kempthorn, Jim Pace, Bennie McRae, Gene Derricotte, Bob Chappius, Dave Raimey, Thomas Wilcher, Jim Detwiler, Hercules Renda, Horace Prettyman, etc. give us a great tradition of running backs.
The last Michigan fullback that was named All-American was Bill Daley in 1943 although we've had some "good ones" in Russell Davis, Ed Shuttlesworth, LeRoy Hoard, Jarrod Bunch, BJ Askew, Chris Floyd, Burnie Legette, Bob Perryman, Chuck Heater, Lawrence Reid, Gerald White, Bob Thornbladh, Fritz Seyferth, Dave Fisher, Jon Ritchie, Wally Weber, Dick Kempthorn, Aaron Shea, Dan Rice, etc.
5 Longest Runs in Michigan Football History
5 Longest Kickoff Returns in Michigan Football History
Tom Harmon: Michigan Football Legend
Tom Harmon Big Ten Icon #5 Part I Part II
Some of the great offensive linemen in Michigan Wolverine Football History include: Braylon Edwards, David Terrell, Marquise Walker, Amani Toomer, Mercury Hayes, Tai Streets, Marcus Knight, Jason Avant, Mario Manningham, Ron Bellamy, Derrick Alexander, Desmond Howard, Chris Calloway, Greg McMurtry, John Kolesar, Jim Smith, Anthony Carter, Gil Chapman, Clint Haslerig, Bennie McRae, Bennie Oosterbaan, Bill Hewitt, Jack Clancy, Terry Barr, Ed Frutig, Paul Goebel, Lowell Perry, Tom Maentz, Bill Hewitt, Dick Rifenburg, Paul Staroba, Jim Conley, etc. give us a proud tradition of receivers.
Wearing the Blue Collar: Jason Avant's story of faith and Michigan Football
Heisman Trophy Winner Desmond Howard named as a Big Ten Icon
Anthony Carter named as a Big Ten Icon
Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch named a Big Ten Icon
5 Longest Passes in Michigan Football History
5 Longest Punt Returns in Michigan Football History
Willis Ward The Trailblazer Remembering Willis Ward
Willis Ward Story: Preview of Black and Blue
Some of the great tight ends in Michigan Wolverine Football History include: Ron Kramer, Jim Mandich, Jerame Tuman, Aaron Shea, Mark Campbell, Jay Riemersma, Tony McGee, Derrick Walker, Eric Kattus, Paul Seal, Ben Joppru, Doug Marsh, Jeff Brown, Tim Massaquoi, Irv Wisniewski, etc.
Some of the great offensive linemen in Michigan Wolverine Football History include: Taylor Lewan, Jake Long, David Baas, Steve Hutchinson, Mike Kenn, John Arbeznik, Tony Pape, Zach Adami, Adam Stenavich, Matt Lentz, Adam Kraus, Jeff Backus, Jon Jansen, Jon Goodwin, Jon Runyan, Rod Payne, David Brandt, Maurice Williams, Steve Everitt, Matt Elliott, Greg Skrepenak, Dean Dingman, John Vitale, Rich Strenger, Tom Dohring, Doug James, Mike Husar, Mike Hoban, Clay Miller, Damon Denson, John Elliott, Stefan Humphries, Joe Cocozzo, Tom Dixon, Ed Muransky, George Lilja, John Powers, Rob Doherty, Guy Murdock, Jim Czirr, Kirk Lewis, Jim Coode, Mark Donahue, Walt Downing, Bubba Paris, Kurt Becker, Bill Dufek, Paul Seymour, Jon Geisler, Reggie McKenzie, Dan Dierdorf, Steve Smith, Joe O'Donnell, Stephen Schilling, Dave Molk, Robert Brown, Julius Franks, Ralph Heikkinen, Bruce Hilkene, Merv Pregulman, Tom Mack, Ernie Vick, Jack Blott, Dominic Tomasi, Robert Wahl, Joe Dayton, Robert Kolesar, Gerald Ford, Charles Bernard, Ernest Allmendinger, Arthur Walker, Joe Morrow, etc.
Michigan Football in the 1970s
Some of the great defensive linemen in Michigan Wolverine Football History include: Lamarr Woodley, Brandon Graham, Mark Messner, Curtis Greer, James Hall, Bob Renes, Glen Steele, Josh Williams, Gabe Watson, Alan Branch, Dan Rumishek, David Bowens, Will Carr, Jason Horn, Chris Hutchinson, Chris Godfrey, Tony Henderson, Warde Manuel, Dan Jilek, Dan Rumishek, Jeff Perlinger, Mike Trgovac, John Hennessey, Mike Evans, Matt Dyson, Mike Hammerstein, Dave Gallagher, Henry Hill, Tim Davis, Cecil Pryor, Clint Spearman, Robert Thompson, Al Sincich, Tom Cecchini, Pete Newell, Tom Goss, Bill Yearby, Eric Wilson, Buster Stanley, Kevin Brooks, Trevor Pryce, Leonard Ford, Dave Porter, etc.
Michigan Football Sack Masters
Some of the great linebackers in Michigan Wolverine Football History include: Erick Anderson, Jarrett Irons, Steve Morrison, Larry Foote, Dhani Jones, Ian Gold, Ron Simpkins, Mel Owens, Jerry Meter, Mike Mallory, John Anderson, Mike Taylor, Marty Huff, Calvin O'Neal, Victor Hobson, Steve Strinko, J.J. Grant, Robert Thompson, Paul Girgash, John Milligan, Andy Moeller, Andy Cannavino, Mike Boren, David Harris, Sam Sword, Tom Kee, Frank Nunley, Bill Laskey, Rocky Rosema, Tom Stincic, Roger Zatkoff, Frank Nunley, Maynard Morrison, etc.
Some of the great defensive backs in Michigan Wolverine Football History include: Charles Woodson, Ty Law, Jeremy LeSueur, James Whitley, Don Dufek Jr., Mike Bass, John Rowser, Bo Rather, Will Peterson, Brad Cochran, Garland Rivers, Mike Jolly, George Hoey, Barry Pierson, Frank Gusich, Barry Dotzauer, Marlin Jackson, Leon Hall, Clarence Thompson, Andre Weathers, Donovan Warren, etc.
Heisman Trophy Winner Charles Woodson named as a Big Ten Icon
Some of the great safeties in Michigan Wolverine Football History include: Tom Curtis, Rick Volk, Thom Darden, Jim Betts, Dave Brown, Dwight Hicks, Randy Logan, Jim Pickens, Mike Harden, Tom Jackson, Keith Bostic, Evan Cooper, Erik Campbell, Doug Mallory, Ivan Hicks, Tony Gant, Vada Murray, Tripp Welbourne, Corwin Brown, David Arnold, Shonte Peoples, Marcus Ray, Tommy Hendricks, Cato June, Ernest Shazor, etc.
Marcus Ray breaks down Rich Rodriquez
Vada Murray: A Great Michigan Safety and Football Player
Some of the great placekickers and punters in Michigan Wolverine Football History include: Jay Feely, Ali Haji-Sheik, Remy Hamilton, Don Bracken, Hayden Epstein, J.D. Carlson, Bob Bergeron, Mike Gillette, Dana Coin, Mike Lantry, Zoltan Mesko, Kraig Baker, Brandon Kornblue, Garrett Rivas, Frank Steketee, Monte Robbins, Chuck Ortmann, etc. No placekicker or punter has ever been elected Captain at Michigan until Mesko in 2009.
Michigan Football's Best Kickers
Michigan Football Players who Lettered in other Wolverine Sports
Some of the great Head Coaches in Michigan Wolverine Football History include: Bo Schembechler (21 years), Lloyd Carr (28 years, 13 years as Head, 15 as assistant), Fritz Crisler (10 year as as Head Football Coach, 31 years total service to Michigan as Athletic Director), Fielding Yost (25 years as Head Coach, 41 years of total service to Michigan as Athletic Director), Bennie Oosterbaan (31 years), Gary Moeller (22 years-5 yrs. Head, 17 as assistant), Bump Elliott (13 years, 11 years as Head, 2 as assistant), Harry Kipke (8 years as Head, 2 as assistant), etc.
The Schembechler Years I II III IV V VI VII VIII
Bo Schembecher: Big Ten Icon Coach
Brady Hoke Step Into My Office
Some of the great Assistant and Position Coaches in Michigan Football History include: Lloyd Carr, Gary Moeller, Jack Harbaugh, Bill McCartney, Cliff Keen (1926-1958=33 years as Football Coach, 45 total years of UM service), Jerry Hanlon (23 seasons), Jim Young, Larry Smith, Chuck Stobart, George Mans, Tirrel Burton (22 seasons), Elliot Uzelac, Dick Hunter, Frank Maloney, Paul Schudel (10 seasons), Don Nehlen, Milan Vooletich, Tim Davis, Jerry Meter, Les Miles, Ron Vanderlinden, Bob Thornbladh, Hank Fonde (10 years), Dennis Brown, Dennis Fitzgerald, Don James, Tony Mason, Don Dufek (12 seasons), Bob Hollway, Jack Fouts, Jack Nelson, Tom Reed, Jed Hughes, Louie Lee, Y.C. McNeese, Bob Chmiel, Alex Agasse, Cam Cameron, Bill Harris, Jim Herrmann (20 seasons), Bobby Morrison, Phil Bromley, Fred Jackson (21 years), Greg Mattison(7 seasons), Mike Debord (12 seasons), Kit Cartwright, Erik Campbell (13 seasons), Vance Bedford, Brady Hoke, Stan Parrish, Teryl Austin, Terry Malone, Andy Moeller, Bill Sheridan, Scot Loeffler, Ron English, Ron Lee, Steve Stripling, Steve Szabo, William Dodd, Robert Shaw, Ernie McCoy, Pete Kinyon, Jack Blott (21 seasons), Matt Patanelli, Bill Orwig, Wally Weber (28 seasons), George Ceithaml, Ray Fisher (24 seasons), Harry Kipke, Bennie Oosterbaan, Ray Courtright (15 seasons), Germany Schulz, Prentiss Douglass (10 seasons), George Little, Franklin Cappon, Edwin Mather, etc. (Note: Michigan State's Hall of Famer Clarence "Biggie" Munn was a former Michigan Assistant Football Coach for 7 seasons from 1938-45)
| Football Coach | Seasons |
| Keen, Cliff | 33 |
| Oosterbaan, Bennie | 31 |
| Carr, Lloyd | 28 |
| Weber, Wally | 28 |
| Yost, Fielding | 25 |
|
24 23 |
|
| Burton, Tirrel | 22 |
| Moeller, Gary | 22 |
| Schembechler, Bo | 21 |
| Blott, Jack | 21 |
| Jackson, Fred | 21 |
| Herrmann, Jim | 20 |
| Courtright, Ray | 15 |
|
14 13 |
|
| Dufek, Don | 12 |
| DeBord, Mike | 12 |
|
10 10 10 |
|
| Fonde, Hank | 10 |
| Cappon, Franklin | 10 |
| McCoy, Ernie | 10 |
| Miles, Les | 10 |
| Kipke, Harry | 10 |
| Douglass, Prentiss | 9 |
| Hollway, Robert | 9 |
| Harris, Bill | 9 |
Michigan Football Players who became Wolverine Football Coaches
Michigan Assistant Football Coaches through 2004
| Former UM Player/Coach | Where are they now? | Area of Coaching |
| Anderson, Kurt | Eastern Michigan | Tight Ends |
| Austin, Teryl | Baltimore Ravens | Defensive Backs |
| Bedford, Vance | Louisville | Defensive Coordinator |
| Cameron, Cam | Baltimore Ravens | Offensive Coordinator |
| Campbell, Erik | Iowa | Wide Receivers |
| Cartwright, Kit | Indiana | Associate Athletic Director |
| DeBord, Mike | Chicago Bears | Tight Ends |
| Elliott, Bob | San Diego State | Retired, Defensive Coordinator |
| Elston, Mike | Notre Dame | Tight Ends |
| English, Ron | Eastern Michigan | Head Coach |
| Fisher, Jim | Oregon | Assistant Director-Football Operations |
| Goodwin, Harold | Pittsburgh Steelers | Offensive Line |
| Hankwitz, Mike | Northwestern | Defensive Coordinator |
| Harbaugh, Jim | San Francisco 49er's | Head Coach |
| Harbaugh, John | Baltimore Ravens | Head Coach |
| Heater, Chuck | Temple | Defensive Coordinator |
| Herrmann, Jim | New York Giants | Linebackers |
| Hoke, Brady | Michigan | Head Coach |
| Hollway, Mike | Ohio Wesleyan | Head Coach |
| Ingram, Jerald | New York Jets | Running Backs |
| Jackson, Fred | Michigan | Running Backs |
| Loeffler, Scot | Auburn | Quarterbacks |
| Mallory, Curt | Michigan | Defensive Backs |
| Mallory, Doug | Indiana | Defensive Coordinator/Safeties |
| Mallory, Mike | New Orleans Saints | Special Teams |
|
Malone, Terry Manning, Roy |
New Orleans Saints Michigan |
Tight Ends Linebackers |
| Mattison, Greg | Michigan | Defensive Coordinator |
| McNulty, John | Arizona Cardinals | Wide Receivers |
| Miles, Les | LSU | Head Coach |
| Moeller, Andy | Baltimore Ravens | Offensive Line |
| Morrison, Steve | Syracuse | Defensive Coordinator |
| Parrish, Stan | Siena Heights | Quarterbacks |
| Ray, Marcus | Central Michigan | Graduate Assistant |
| Shafer, Scott | Syracuse | Defensive Coordinator |
| Sheridan, Bill | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Defensive Coordinator |
| Stobart, Chuck | Ohio State | Retired |
| Stripling, Steve | Cincinnati | Defensive Line |
| Szabo, Steve | Colgate | Linebackers |
| Trgovac, Mike | Green Bay Packers | Defensive Coordinator |
| Uzelac, Elliott | Maryland | Retired |
| Vanderlinden, Ron | Penn State | Linebackers |
| Wheatley, Tyrone | Buffalo Bills | Running Backs |
Michigan Football players and coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame: Desmond Howard, Albert "Benny" Benbrook, Dave Brown, Anthony Carter, Fritz Crisler, Tom Curtis, Dan Dierdorf, Bump Elliott, Pete Elliott, Benny Friedman, Tom Harmon, Willie Heston, Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch, Ron Johnson, Harry Kipke, Ron Kramer, George Little, Jim Mandich, John Maulbetsch, Reggie McKenzie, Bill Morley, Harry Newman, Bennie Oosterbaan, Marv Pregulman, Bo Schembechler, Germany Schultz, Neil Snow, Ernie Vick, Bob Westfall, Tad Wieman, Albert "Ox" Wistert, Alvin "Moose" Wistert, Francis "Whitey" Wistert and Fielding "Hurry Up" Yost
Miscellaneous
Michigan Wolverines in the NFL
Michigan Football All-Americans
Michigan All-Star Game Participants
Michigan Football Lettermen A-K L-Z
Michigan Academic All-Americans
College Football's Greatest Rivalry #1 #2 #3 #4
Michigan Football Hype #2 #3 (The Game)
Bob Ufer: The Life in a Season (Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX, Part X, Part XI) Voice of Michigan Football 1945-1981
Frank Beckmann: Voice of Michigan Football 1981-2013
Top Overtime Wins in Michigan Football History
Game Videos on YouTube
Bentley Library Michigan Football Game Videos, 1930-1986
Michigan Replay Video Collection, 1975-2010
2007 Michigan 28 Michigan State 24 Part I Part II
2007 Michigan 38 Notre Dame 0 Part I Part II
2006 Michigan 31 Michigan State 13
2006 Michigan 47 Notre Dame 21 Part I Part II
2005 Michigan 34 Michigan State 31
2003 Michigan 31 Ohio State 23 Part I Part II
2003 Michigan 38 Notre Dame 0 Part I Part II
2002 Michigan 27 Penn State 24
2000 Michigan 38 Ohio State 26 Part I Part II
1999 Michigan 24 Ohio State 17 Part I Part II Part III
1999 Michigan 26 Notre Dame 22
1997 Michigan 20 Ohio State 14 Part I Part II
1997 Michigan 21 Notre Dame 14 Part I Part II
1996 Michigan 13 Ohio State 9 Part I Part II
1996 Michigan 45 Michigan State 29
1995 Michigan 31 Ohio State 23 Part I Part II
1994 Michigan 40 Michigan State 20
1993 Michigan 28 Ohio State 0 Part I Part II
1992 Michigan Ohio State Part I Part II
1992 Michigan 35 Michigan State 10
1991 Michigan 31 Ohio State 3 Part I Part II
1991 Michigan 45 Michigan State 28
1990 Michigan 16 Ohio State 13
1989 Michigan 28 Ohio State 18
1989 Michigan 10 Michigan State 7
1988 Michigan 34 Ohio State 31 Part I Part II
1988 Michigan 17 Michigan State 3 Part I Part II
1986 Michigan 26 Ohio State 24
1986 Michigan 27 Michigan State 6
1985 Michigan 27 Ohio State 17
1985 Michigan 31 Michigan State 0
1985 Michigan 20 Notre Dame 12
1983 Michigan 24 Ohio State 21
1982 Michigan 31 Michigan State 17
1981 Rose Bowl Michigan vs. Washington
1979 Michigan 21 Michigan State 7
1978 Michigan 28 Notre Dame 14
1973 Michigan 10 Ohio State 10
1970 Michigan 34 Michigan State 20
Bob Ufer Poem: Burying Michigan
1969 Michigan 24 Ohio State 12
1968 Michigan 28 Michigan State 14
1965 Rose Bowl: Michigan 34 Oregon State 7
1959 Michigan 23 Ohio State 14
1950 Michigan 9 Ohio State 3 (The Snow Bowl)