Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
The Michigan Wolverines are one of the most storied programs in college football. Including winning the 2023 National Championship, Michigan claims 12 National Championships and has won over 1,000 games. The Wolverines have had three Heisman Trophy winners over the years and many All-Americans, as well. These are the 25 best players to take the field for Michigan.
25. Jim Harbaugh, Quarterback (1983-86)
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Harbaugh is certainly synonymous with Michigan football. College football fans of a certain age likely know Harbaugh mostly for coaching the Wolverines, but when he left Michigan as a player, he was the school’s all-time leader with 5,449 passing yards. Harbaugh completed 62.4 percent of his passes and threw 31 touchdowns for the Wolverines. Harbaugh finished third during the 1986 Heisman Trophy race, the same season he led Michigan to the Rose Bowl.
24. Steve Hutchinson, Offensive Lineman (1996-2000)
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Hutchinson began his career at Michigan on the defensive line. Then moved to the offensive side of the ball — which was quite the good choice for both Hutchinson and the Wolverines. During his time at Michigan, Hutchinson helped the program win a National Championship in 1997. He also did not allow a sack during his final two seasons and was named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and a unanimous All-American (both in 2000).
23. John Navarre, Quarterback (2000-03)
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
One of two Michigan quarterbacks to throw for more than 9,000 yards. A three-year starter for Michigan, Navarre burst onto the scene when he threw four touchdowns against Bowling Green in his first collegiate game. By the time his career at Michigan came to an end, Navarre had more than left his mark within the annals of this storied program. He ranks second in career completions (744), passing yards (9,014) and touchdowns (70). Navarre also holds school single-season records with 270 completions and 3,331 yards — both set in 2003.
22. Bennie Oosterbaan, End (1925-27)
Bettmann/Getty Images
The durable Oosterbaan was one of the more unheralded stars of college football during the 1920s. A talented two-way end for the Wolverines, Oosterbaan was a three-time All-American. In 1925, Oosterbaan reportedly led the Big Ten with eight touchdowns. In addition to his success on the football field, Oosterbaan, who coached the Michigan football team from 1948-’58, was a standout basketball and baseball player for the Wolverines.
21. John Maulbetsch, Halfback (1914-16)
Bettmann/Getty Images
Known as the “Human Bullet” because of his low-running style with the football, the 155-pound Maulbetsch was among the early greats at Michigan. Despite dealing with a serious case of appendicitis while playing for the Wolverines, Maulbetsch was one of the game’s best in 1914. Following appendix surgery, he regained his form for Michigan in 1916. When his playing days finished, Maulbetsch spent eight years as head coach at what eventually became Oklahoma State University.
20. Bob Chappuis, Halfback/Quarterback (1942, 46-47)
Bettmann/Getty Images
Ever versatile, Chappuis was among the great college football players of the 1940s. He was the star of Michigan’s undefeated 1947 team that beat USC in the Rose Bowl. During that same season, Chappuis finished second in the race for the Heisman Trophy. Owner of several school records during his time at Michigan, Chappuis totaled 1,187 rushing yards and 2,068 through the air for his career. In addition to his athletic ability, Chappuis served as a gunner on B-25 planes during World War II. Talk about a dual-threat athlete.
19. Dan Dierdorf, Offensive Lineman (1967-70)
Bettmann/Getty Images
Dierdorf enjoyed a Hall-of-Fame career with the St. Louis “football” Cardinals. He then had a successful stint as an analyst. Before all of this, Dierdorf was a standout offensive lineman for the Maize and Blue. Dierdorf was a consensus All-American for the 1970 Michigan team that finished 9-1. Dierdorf was said to be one of legendary coach Bo Schembechler’s favorite players to ever suit up at Michigan. His college work ethic is considered second to none.
18. Tom Curtis, Defensive Back (1967-69)
Danny Moloshok/Getty Images
For those unaware of just how good of a college player Curtis was, pay attention. In his three seasons patrolling the secondary for the Wolverines, Curtis recorded 25 interceptions. A total that still stands as a school record. Ten of those picks came during the 1968 season, which also remains a school single-season mark. He also posted 431 return yards off those interceptions.
17. Willie Heston, Halfback (1901-04)
Sports Studio Photos/Getty Images
Heston is one of Michigan’s first true stars and a legend within Wolverines’ lore. However, his collegiate career began at the school now known as San Jose State. When he came to Michigan to play for legendary coach Fielding Yost, Heston was a major part of those dominant Michigan teams from the early 1900s. During Heston’s four seasons at Michigan, the team went 43-0-1 and outscored opponents 2,326-40. According to the school’s official records, Heston is Michigan’s all-time leader with 72 career touchdowns.
16. Mark Donahue, Offensive Lineman (1975-77)
Tony Ding /Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images
Dan Dierdorf gets plenty of attention as one of college football’s all-time great offensive linemen, and rightfully so. That said, Donahue is well worthy of equal celebration — and then some. Another Bo Schembechler favorite, Donahue started in 1975 and was then named a consensus, first-team All-American guard in both 1976 and ’77. In 2016, Donahue was added to Michigan’s football Hall of Honor.
15. Aidan Hutchinson, Defensive End (2018-21)
David Rosenblum/Getty Images
Hutchinson amassed quite a collection of hardware at Michigan. A unanimous All-American, Hutchinson won the Ted Hendricks and Lombardi Awards during his stellar 2021 season. During his Wolverines swan song season, Hutchinson recorded a school-record 14.0 sacks and 15.0 tackles for loss. For his career, Hutchinson totaled 153 tackles, including 81 solos. He was taken second overall by the Detroit Lions during the 2022 NFL Draft.
14. Mark Messner, Defensive Lineman (1985-88)
Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
It’s quite possible that Messner just might be the best of any Michigan front-four defenders. He’s the first position player to be named a first-team All-Big Ten performer for each of his four years at Michigan. That’s because Messner’s 36 career sacks are still the most in school history. The five he recorded versus Northwestern during the 1987 season remain a Michigan record. He finished his career as a consensus All-American in 1988.
13. Anthony Thomas, Running Back (1997-2000)
Bettmann/Getty Images
Affectionately known as “A-Train.” Thomas broke out during Michigan’s 1997 National Championship season when he was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Thomas topped 100 rushing yards twice in ’97 and finished with 4,472 for his four-year career with the Wolverines — ranking third all-time. The 1,733 yards he gained during his final 2000 campaign rank second for a single season at Michigan. Meanwhile, Thomas’s 55 career rushing touchdowns are the most by any Wolverine.
12. LaMarr Woodley, Defensive End/Linebacker (2003-06)
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Woodley put together an exceptional career at Michigan, ranking among the top five in school history with 24.0 sacks. But, his remarkable 2006 campaign was truly one for the ages. Half of Woodley’s career sack total came that season, tying him for the most by any Michigan player for a single season, at the time. A first-team All-American that season, Woodley was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and won the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end.
11. Chad Henne, Quarterback (2004-07)
Brian Bahr/Getty Images
Henne is one of only two quarterbacks in Michigan history who started a college game as a true freshman. When his career in Ann Arbor ended, Henne was Michigan’s all-time leader with 828 completions, 9,715 passing yards, and 87 touchdown passes. He earned first-team All-Big Ten honors for his 2007 senior season. Henne had his detractors while at Michigan, but statistically, it’s tough to argue with his spot on this list.
10. Ron Kramer, End (1954-56)
Bettmann/Getty Images
Established football fans likely know Kramer from his legendary days with Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers. Before that, however, Kramer was a two-way standout for Michigan. He also was a successful member of the Wolverines’ basketball and track and field teams. Yet, Kramer excelled on the football field, where he was a consensus first-team All-American in 1956. For his Michigan career, Kramer caught 53 passes for 880 yards with six touchdowns and is still considered among the best blocking ends of his time.
9. Denard Robinson, Quarterback (2009-12)
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
There are certain pundits and experts on Michigan football who feel Robinson might be the greatest offensive player in the history of the program. Perhaps that’s a stretch, but there is no denying Robinson’s versatile talent. Robinson recorded 6,250 career yards passing (fifth in school history) and 4,495 rushing yards (second in school history). Those 10,745 total yards are the most in school history, and his 4,272 from 2010 are also a single-season Wolverine record. Robinson was both Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-American in 2010.
8. Jake Long, Offensive Lineman (2003-07)
Kirby Lee/Getty Images
Long endured quite the journey at Michigan. He overcame various injuries and even survived a house fire during his time on campus. On the football field, though, Long earned a starting spot during his redshirt freshman season. He was a two-time consensus first-team All-American for the Wolverines and also earned Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year honors in both 2006 and ’07. He then went on to become the overall No. 1 pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.
7. Anthony Carter, Wide Receiver (1979-82)
Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images
There were not many better collegiate receivers during the late 1970s and into the ‘80s than “AC.” Just 5’11”, Carter’s lack of size did not keep him from building elite status. The Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player as a senior in 1982, Carter finished his career as Michigan’s all-time leading receiver with 2,681 yards — which currently ranks as third in school history. His 141 receptions and 33 touchdowns also rank within the top five all-time for the Wolverines.
6. Mike Hart, Running Back (2004-07)
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
It might be surprising for some casual Michigan (and college football) fans in general to realize how good a college player Hart was at Michigan. With 5,040 yards, Hart is the all-time leading rusher in Michigan history. Talk about an accomplishment. Hart also ranks among the top 10 in Wolverines history for most single-season yards (1,562 in 2006) and career touchdowns (41). Hart was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2004, a two-time All-Big Ten first-team performer, and finished fifth in the race for the 2006 Heisman Trophy.
5. Braylon Edwards, Wide Receiver (2001-04)
Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images
Edwards never had the consistently strong NFL career that was expected, but when it came to his college career, Edwards was one of the best receivers this century. Edwards remains Michigan’s all-time leader with 252 receptions, 3,541 yards, and 39 touchdowns. His 97 catches in 2004 are also a school record. Edwards, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best wide receiver in 2004.
4. Rick Leach, Quarterback (1975-78)
Bettmann/Getty Images
Leach joins Chad Henne as the only two Wolverines quarterbacks to start as a true freshman. Hailing from nearby Flint, Leach was praised for his versatility as a signal-caller. Leach threw for 4,045 career yards with 48 touchdowns (fifth in school history). He also ran for 2,171 yards, and his 34 rushing touchdowns rank sixth all-time at Michigan. Leach finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting in 1978.
3. Desmond Howard, Wide Receiver/Kick Returner (1989-91)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
Quite the personality. It’s no wonder Howard has enjoyed a post-football career as a sports media personality with ESPN. Howard was the second Michigan football player to win the Heisman Trophy. That came after his sensational 1991 season, where he set a school record with 19 receiving touchdowns. Howard, one of the more charismatic players in college football history, is third all-time in Michigan history with 32 career receiving touchdowns while totaling 134 receptions for 2,146 yards. He’s also the school’s all-time leader with a 26.9 average yards per kickoff return and ranks fifth with 1,211 kickoff return yards.
2. Charles Woodson, Defensive Back (1995-97)
Albert Dickson/Getty Images
OK, there are plenty of reasons to put Woodson at the top of our list. But, we’ve slotted him into the runner-up slot. He’s Michigan’s third and most recent Heisman winner (1997). Woodson also remains the only player whose primary position was on defense to win the award. His 18 interceptions rank second all-time in school history. Eight of those picks came in 1997, which are tied for third-most in the annals of Michigan football in terms of single-season accomplishments. He also recorded 21 receptions for 370 yards with three touchdowns and rushed for three touchdowns with the Wolverines.
1. Tom Harmon, Halfback (1938-40)
LMPC/Getty Images
There’s more to Harmon than being the father of former UCLA football player and veteran Hollywood star Mark Harmon. Tom Harmon is the first Michigan player to win the Heisman Trophy. During his three seasons with the Wolverines, Harmon rushed for 2,151 yards and threw for nearly 1,400 yards (to go along with 16 touchdowns). His 33 career touchdowns broke legendary Red Grange’s record at the time. Harmon also led the country in scoring in both 1939 and ’40. His No. 98 was retired by the school.
