All-American Defensive Tackles at Michigan (11): Bill Yearby, Henry Hill, Dave Gallagher, Curtis Greer, Mike Hammerstein, Mark Messner, Chris Hutchinson, Jason Horn, Will Carr, Glen Steele and Bob Renes
All-American Defensive Tackles at Michigan (11): Bill Yearby, Henry Hill, Dave Gallagher, Curtis Greer, Mike Hammerstein, Mark Messner, Chris Hutchinson, Jason Horn, Will Carr, Glen Steele and Bob Renes
Academic All-American: Bob Renes
2nd Team: Chris Hutchinson
Outland Trophy: None
Vince Lombardi/Rotary Award: None
Finalist: Mark Messner
Semi-Finalists: Bob Renes, Lamarr Woodley
Big Ten Linemen of the Year: Mark Messner and Chris Hutchinson
All Big Ten (30): Tom Keating, Joe O'Donnell, Bill Yearby, Tom Cecchini, Tom Mack, Don Bailey, Tom Goss, Pete Newell, Henry Hill, Fred Grambeau, Dave Gallagher, Jeff Perlinger, Tim Davis, Greg Morton, Curtis Greer, Mike Trgovac, Kevin Brooks, Al Sincich, Mark Messner, Mike Evans, Chris Hutchinson, Buster Stanley, Jason Horn, Will Carr, Glen Steele, Bob Renes, Gabe Watson, Lamarr Woodley and Brandon Graham
Academic All-Big Ten (10): Joe Dayton, Juaquin Feazell, Jake Frysinger, Dave Gallagher, Chris Hutchinson, Bill Keating, Dale Keitz, John Marcum, Joe O'Donnell and Bob Renes
Big Ten Medal of Honor: Dave Gallagher and Bob Renes
Elected Captains (15): Bob Brown, Joe O'Donnell, Tom Cecchini, Henry Hill, Dave Gallagher, Mark Messner, Chris Hutchinson, Juaquin Feazell, Bob Renes, Eric Wilson, Grant Bowman, Pat Massey, Lamarr Woodley, Brandon Graham and Mike Martin
Most Starts: Mark Messner 49, Bob Renes, Glen Steele and Al Sincich 37, Billy Harris 35, Greg Morton and Josh Williams 34, Buster Stanley, Chris Hutchinson, Curtis Greer and Dale Keitz 33, Pat Massey 32
Michigan Linemen drafted by the Pros (seriously) and/or played in the NFL (25): Tom Keating, Arnie Simkus, Joe O'Donnell, Tom Mack, Bill Yearby, Dave Porter, Cecil Pryor, Tom Beckman, Fred Grambeau, Dave Gallagher, Doug Troszak, Walt Williamson, Greg Morton, John Hennessy, Curtis Greer, Kevin Brooks, Mike Hammerstein, Mark Messner, Brent White, Mike Evans, Will Carr, Ben Huff, Glen Steele, Josh Williams, Bob Renes (even Mark Messner was converted to a linebacker in the pros by the Los Angeles Rams)
The only 1st round draft picks were Bill Yearby in 1966, Dave Gallagher in 1974, Curtis Greer in 1980 and Kevin Brooks in 1985-Will Senior Bowl MVP Brandon Graham become a 1st Rounder in May, 2010
All Pro Defensive Lineman: Tom Keating 1964-75; All Pro-1966-67
| Year | Sacks |
2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 |
30 18 21 29 32 42 24 21 |
| 2003 | 29 |
| 2002 | 42 |
| 2001 | 50 |
| 2000 | 21 |
| 1999 | 29 |
| 1998 | 37 |
In 2011, we are improving under the leadership and coaching of Greg Mattison.
| Category | Defensive Rank | Big Ten Rank |
| Rushing | 35th | 3rd |
| Passing | 17th | 6th |
| Total | 17th | 5th |
| Scoring | 7th | 3rd |
| Pass Efficiency | 35th | 6th |
| Sacks | 26th | 4th |
Tackles for Loss Turnover Margin Turnovers Gained |
73rd 26th 26th |
6th 3rd 1st |
| First Downs | 16th | 4th |
| 3rd Down Conversions | 30th | 3rd |
| Red Zone | 4th | 1st |
In 2010, we ranked 109th in total defense with only 18 sacks. In the Big Ten, we rank 10th in rushing and scoring defense and 11th in total and pass defense plus first downs allowed. Our red zone defense was ranked 6th in the Big Ten.
| Category | Defensive Rank | Big Ten Rank |
| Rushing | 94th | 10th |
| Passing | 110th | 11th |
| Total | 109th | 11th |
| Scoring | 102nd | 10th |
| Pass Efficiency | 97th | 9th |
| Sacks | 94th | 7th |
Tackles for Loss Turnover Margin Turnovers Gained |
75th 110th 75th |
5th 11th n/a |
| First Downs | 104th | 11th |
| 3rd Down Conversions | 84th | 8th |
| Red Zone | 70th | 6th |
Michigan Football Position Greats
Michigan Football Sack Masters
2008 versus 2009: Lack of Michigan Defense
| 2008 | Big Ten Rank | NCAA Category | 2009 | Big Ten Rank |
| 51st | 6th | Rushing | 91st | 10th |
| 87th | 9th | Passing | 67th | 7th |
| 66th | 9th | Total | 82nd | 9th |
| 90th | 10th | Scoring | 81st | 9th |
| 81st | 10th | Pass Efficiency | 74th | 7th |
| 107th | 11th | Turnover Margin | 112th | 11th |
| 35th | 6th | Sacks | 72nd | 10th |
2007 Season: Our defense was ranked #27 in scoring defense, #58 in rushing defense, #10 in pass defense, #17 in pass efficiency defense and #26 in total defense. We are ranked #30 nationally in sacks with 31, #28 in turnover margin and #24 in tackles for loss. Defense did a horrible job against the run this year especially against Wisconsin, Ohio State, Oregon and Appalachian State, our four losses. We obviously can't stop spread offenses because we don't practice against spread offenses, and we don't recruit the personnel who can simulate spread offenses in practice. Our defense had zero sacks against Wisconsin and Ohio State to close the season, and the defense only created one turnover in each game. They couldn't stop teams in the second half when we needed them to do so; however, they did come up with strong closing efforts against Penn State, Illinois and Michigan State in the end. Our pass defense really improved when Donovan Warren became the starter, and Johnny Sears left the team. If we can recruit some strong safeties to go along with the strong linebacking core that we recruited, and four returning starters on our defensive line, that will help give us a strong nucleus for next season. I'd give the defense an overall grade of B- for 2007; they did a good job and our losses were more attributable to a lack of offense than a strong defense. The offense left them out on the field way too long in the Wisconsin and Ohio State games, and offensive failure to convert early opportunities contributed to the Oregon fiasco. Pin the Appalachian State loss on the defense, but had Engelmon started the season instead of Stevie Brown, we would probably not have been in that position.
| Year | Starting Defensive Tackles, Nose Tackles, Middle Guards | Opponent's Rushing Average per game | Opponent's Scoring Average per game | Total Losses | End of Season Rank | Notes |
2004 |
Gabe Watson/Larry Harrison/Alex Ofili/Rondell Biggs/Pat Massey/Alan Branch | 133.3 (21 sacks) |
23.2 | 3 | 14 | Texas quarterback, Young, shreds us for 5 TDs with 192 of 264 net rushing yards and 4 TDs. Ohio State gains 205 net rushing yards with Troy Smith netting 145. Michigan State nets 368 yards in rushing with DeAndra Cobb netting 205 yards and 2 TDs. Notre Dame's true frosh, Derrick Walker, nets 115 yards and 2 TDs. Northwestern's Noah Herron burns us for 156 net yards. Recruits: Marques Walton, Alan Branch, Tim Jamison, Will Johnson, etc. (Terry Taylor, Marques Slocum, Eugene Germany and James McKinney for 2005) Lost out on: Dewayne Hendricks, Vernon Gholston, etc. |
| 2003 | Grant Bowman/Norm Heuer | 116.6 (27 sacks) |
16.8 | 3 | 6 | Minnesota runs for a record 424 yards; recruits lost: Carnell Stewart (LSU), Kevin Brown (UCLA), Doug Van Dyke (Purdue), Kirston Pittman (LSU), David Patterson (OSU), Quinn Pitcock (OSU), Mo Dampeer (OK), Tim Washington (LSU), Calvin Thibodeaux (OK), Turk McBride (Tenn.), Conrad Bolston (MD), Victor Abiamiri (ND) |
| 2002 | Grant Bowman/Norm Heuer | 123.2 (42 sacks) | 20.4 | 3 | 9 | Outback Bowl win over Florida; opponents score a record 34 touchdowns; recruits lost: Travis Johnson (Miami-FL), Ian Scott (FL), Kalen Thorton (Texas), Chris Frome (ND), Haloti Ngata (Oregon), Brian Pickryl (Texas), Julian Jenkins (Stanford), Travis Leitko (ND), Greg Jones (Tenn.), Brandon Greeson (Nebraska) |
| 2001 | Shawn Lazarus/Norm Heuer | 89.1 (50 sacks) | 19.8 | 4 | 20 | MSU's T.J. Duckett runs for 211 yards as Spartans win 24-26; Jonathan Wells runs for 3 TDs for a 20-26 Buckeye win; Florida Citrus Bowl humiliation to Tennessee 17-45; we block 7 punts tying a record from 1950; we get Woods, Massey, David Spytek and Ofili, recruits lost include: Marquise Hill (LSU), Simon Fraser (OSU), Anttaj Hawthorne (Wisc.), Orien Harris (Miami-FL) and Sean Cody (USC) |
| 2000 | Shawn Lazarus/Eric Wilson/Dave Petruziello/Norm Heuer | 147.1 (21 sacks) | 19.1 | 3 | 11 | Northwestern's Damien Anderson runs for 244 yards and Wilcats net 332 on the ground and 654 in total offense en rout to scoring 54 points (31 in 2nd half) with 31 first downs; Florida Citrus Bowl winner, Big Ten Co-Champs; we get Kashama, recruits lost include Will Smith (OSU), Darrell Lee (FL), Greg Pauley (ND), Kalen Thornton (Texas and Vince Wilfork (Miami-FL) |
| 1999 | Bob Renes/Eric Wilson/Josh Williams | 120.8 (29 sacks) | 20.6 | 2 | 5 | Orange Bowl win; losses to MSU 31-34 with Bill Burke connecting for 400 yards, 255 to Plaxico Burress/Illinois 29-35;we recruited Boebert/Heuer and Bowman, recruits lost include Bernard Riley (USC), Jeff Womble (Fla.St.), Cedric Hilliard (ND) |
| 1998 | Bob Renes/Eric Wilson/Josh Williams | 121.8 (37 sacks) | 18.1 | 3 | 12 | Losses to Notre Dame, Syracuse 28-38 (after being behind 7-38) and Ohio State 16-31 (only 2 first downs); Big Ten Co-Champs, Florida Citrus Bowl winner |
| 1997 | Bob Renes/Eric Wilson/Juaquin Feazell | 89.0 | 9.5 | 0 | 1 | Started calling MG=NT; Big Ten and National Champs 12-0 |
| 1996 | Will Carr/Ben Huff | 114.6 | 15.3 | 4 | 20 | Outback Bowl loss |
| 1995 | Will Carr/Jason Horn/Juaquin Feazell | 93.2 | 17.2 | 4 | 17 | Lloyd Carr takes over in 1995 season; move from a 5-2 to 4-3 scheme; MG to NT |
| 1994 | Trent Zenkewicz/Tony Henderson/Jason Horn | 124.2 | 22.3 | 4 | 12 | Holiday Bowl Champs; Biakabutuka runs for 313 yards in win over Bucks |
| 1993 | Jason Horn/Ninef Aghakhan/Tony Henderson/Buster Stanley/Damon Denson/Steve Rekowski | 108 | 13.3 | 4 | 21 | Outback Bowl Champs |
| 1992 | Chris Hutchinson/Tony Henderson/Ninef Aghakhan/Gannon Dudlar | 90.8 | 14.3 | 0 | 5 | Big Ten & Rose Bowl Champs (3 ties, no losses) |
| 1991 | Chris Hutchinson/Tony Henderson/Ninef Aghakhan/Mike Evans | 105.4 | 16.9 | 2 | 6 | Big Ten Champs, Rose Bowl humiliation to Washington 14-34; Florida State wins 31-51 |
| 1990 | T.J.Osman/Chris Hutchinson/Steve Rekowski/Alex Marshall | 104.7 | 16.5 | 3 | 7 | Gary Moeller takes over in 1990 season; Big Ten Co-Champs, win in Gator Bowl |
| 1989 | Chris Hutchinson/Mike Teeter/Mike Evans/Brent White | 109.9 | 15.3 | 2 | 7 | Big Ten Champs, Rose Bowl loss to USC; Rocket Ismail returns 2 kickoffs for TDs as Irish win |
| 1988 | Mark Messner/T.J. Osman/Brent White/John Herrmann/Mike Evans | 129.7 | 13.9 | 2 | 4 | Big Ten & Rose Bowl Champs |
| 1987 | Mark Messner/John Herrmann/Billy Harris/T.J. Osman | 133.5 | 14.3 | 4 | 19 | Hall of Fame Bowl Champs; Darrell Thompson nets 201 yards in Gopher win; Spartans win on 7 picks off Demetrius Brown and Lorenzo White's 185 yards rushing |
| 1986 | Mark Messner/Dave Folkertsma/Billy Harris | 118.5 | 15.6 | 2 | 8 | Big Ten Champs, Loss in Rose Bowl |
| 1985 | Mark Messner/Mike Hammerstein/Billy Harris | 119.1 | 8.1 | 1 | 2 | Fiesta Bowl Champs over Nebraska; Bob Golic has 26 tackles in Irish win |
| 1984 | Mike Hammerstein/Kevin Brooks/Al Sincich/Joe Gray/Nate Rogers/Dave Meredith | 145.1 | 16.6 | 6 | n/a | Holiday Bowl loss to BYU; Iowa shuts us out 0-26; opponents combine for a record 45% 3rd down conversion percentage record |
| 1983 | Kevin Brooks/Al Sincich/Vince DeFelice/Mike Hammerstein | 112.7 | 13.3 | 3 | 8 | Sugar Bowl loss to Auburn |
| 1982 | Winfred Carraway/Al Sincich/Kevin Brooks/Dave Meredith/Mike Hammerstein | 112.0 | 17.0 | 4 | 15 | Big Ten Champs, Loss in Rose Bowl |
| 1981 | Tony Osbun/Cedric Coles/Winfred Carraway/Clay Miller/Doug James/Mike Hammerstein | 128.1 | 13.5 | 3 | 12 | Bluebonnet Bowl Champs |
| 1980 | Mike Trgovac/Jeff Shaw/Winfred Carraway/Cedric Coles/Dave Nicolau/Tony Kelsie | 116.6 | 10.8 | 2 | 4 | Big Ten & Rose Bowl Champs |
| 1979 | Curtis Greer/Dale Keitz/Mike Trgovac/Chris Godfrey | 105.1 | 12.6 | 4 | 18 | Gator Bowl loss |
| 1978 | Curtis Greer/Dale Keitz/Mike Trgovac/Chris Godfrey | 114.5 | 8.8 | 2 | 5 | Big Ten Champs, Loss in Rose Bowl |
| 1977 | Curtis Greer/Dale Keitz/Steve Graves/Chris Godfrey/William Jackson | 120.9 | 10.3 | 2 | 9 | Big Ten Champs, Loss in Rose Bowl; Michigan was shut out 0-16 by Gophers |
| 1976 | Greg Morton/John Hennessy/Bob Lang/Steve Graves | 121.2 | 7.9 | 2 | 3 | Big Ten Champs, Loss in Rose Bowl to USC; upset by Purdue after being ranked #1 all year |
| 1975 | Greg Morton/Jeff Perlinger/John Hennessy/Tim Davis/Rich Koschalk/Steve King | 133.8 | 10.8 | 2 | 8 | Orange Bowl loss to Oklahoma |
| 1974 | Greg Morton/Jeff Perlinger/John Hennessy/Tim Davis/Rich Koschalk | 105.7 | 5.9 | 1 | 3 | Big Ten Co-Champions |
| 1973 | Dave Gallagher/Doug Troszak/Jeff Perlinger/Tim Davis/Don Warner | 97.7 | 6.2 | 0 | 6 | Big Ten Co-Champions, vote to no bowl |
| 1972 | Dave Gallagher/Fred Grambeau/Greg Ellis/Walt Sexton/Tony Smith | 130.9 | 5.2 | 1 | 6 | Big Ten Co-Champions |
| 1971 | Fred Grambeau/Greg Ellis/Tom Kee/Tom Beckman/Curtis Tucker/Walt Sexton | 65.8 | 6.9 | 1 | 6 | Big Ten Champs, Loss in Rose Bowl |
| 1970 | Henry Hill/Pete Newell/Tom Beckman/Tony Smith/Ed Moore | 105.1 | 9 | 1 | 9 | |
| 1969 | Henry Hill/Fred Grambeau/Pete Newell | 168.3 | 13.5 | 3 | 9 | Bo Schembechler takes over in 1969 season; upset of #1 Ohio State 24-12 (6 picks); highest turnover in UM history +29 |
| 1968 | Henry Hill/Tom Goss/Dan Parks/Jerry Miklos | 199.3 | 15.5 | 2 | 12 | Final Days of linemen starting on both offense and defense; Michigan loses to Buckeyes 14-50, 421 yards rushing including Jim Otis' 4 TDs and Woody goes for "2" |
| 1967 | Dave Porter/Tom Goss/Dennis Morgan/Dennis Monthei/Dick Williamson | 180.8 | 17.9 | 6 | n/a | |
| 1966 | Dave Porter/Tom Goss/Bob Mielke/Dick Williamson/William Hardy | 159.6 | 13.8 | 4 | n/a | Final Days of 6 man front: LT/RT/LG/RG/LE/RE |
| 1965 | Bill Yearby/Bob Mielke/Ken Wright/Paul Johnson/Charles Ruzicka/Barry Dehlin | 143.6 | 16.1 | 6 | n/a | |
| 1964 | Tom Mack/Charles Kines/David Butler/Tom Cecchini/Frank Nunley/John Marcum/Bill Yearby/Bill Keating/Bob Mielke/John Yanz/Arnold Simkus | 78.1 | 7.6 | 1 | 4 | Big Ten and Rose Bowl Champs |
| 1963 | Bill Yearby/Tom Keating/Joe O'Donnell/Brian Patchen/Tom Cecchini/Richard Hahn/John Marcum/John Houtman | 139 | 14.1 | 4 | n/a | |
| 1962 | Tom Keating/Joe O'Donnell/John Minko/Bill Muir/Dave Kurtz/John Houtman/John Marcum/Bill Laskey/Jim Green | 204.3 | 23.8 | 7 | n/a | Michigan only scores 70 points all season (10 TDs); losses to MSU 0-28, Purdue 0-37, Minnesota 0-17, Ohio State 0-28; David Francis gains 186 yards for the Bucks |
| 1961 | 136.1 | 18.1 | 3 | n/a | Robert Ferguson scores 4 TDs for the Bucks | |
| 1960 | 137.6 | 9.3 | 4 | n/a | Bump Elliott takes over in 1959 season |