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)

Introductions from the 1970s

Quarterback

Some of the great quarterbacks in Michigan Wolverine Football History include: Tom Brady, Drew Henson, Todd Collins, Brian Griese, Elvis Grbac, Jim Harbaugh, John Navarre, Rick Leach, Dennis Franklin, Steve Smith, John Wangler, Don Moorehead, Bob Timberlake, Pete Elliott, Harry Newman, Benny Friedman, Forest Evashevski, Chad Henne, Denard Robinson, Chuck Ortmann, Michael Taylor, Howard Yerges, Stanley Fay, Fred Norcross, Irwin Uteritz, Harrison "Boss" Weeks, Ken Knode, etc.

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

Tribute to Elvis

Jim Harbaugh Tribute (Part I II)

Rick Leach Tribute

Chad Henne Tribute

John Navarre Tribute

Denard Robinson Tribute

Running Back

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.

Michigan Running Backs

5 Longest Runs in Michigan Football History

5 Longest Kickoff Returns in Michigan Football History

Michigan Returns for Scores

Tom Harmon Tribute

Tom Harmon: Michigan Football Legend

Tom Harmon Big Ten Icon #5 Part I Part II

Rob Lytle Tribute

Rob Lytle: A Final Farewell

Tim Biakabutuka Tribute

Chris Perry Tribute

Jamie Morris Tribute

LeRoy Hoard Tribute

Tyrone Wheatley Tribute

Anthony Thomas Tribute

Wide Receiver

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.

Anthony Carter Tribute

Derrick Alexander Tribute

Braylon Edwards Tribute

David Terrell Tribute

Amani Toomer Tribute

Greg McMurtry Tribute

John Kolesar Tribute

Desmond Howard Tribute

Mario Manningham Tribute

Wearing the Blue Collar: Jason Avant's story of faith and Michigan Football

#1 Highlights

Michigan Legend: Desmond Howard

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

Ron Kramer Tribute

5 Longest Passes in Michigan Football History

5 Longest Punt Returns in Michigan Football History

Memorable Michigan Touchdowns

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.

Offensive Line

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

Defensive Line

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

50 Michigan Sacks

Remembering Bill Yearby

Glen Steele Tribute

Mark Messner Tribute

Linebacker

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.

Cornerback

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

Charles Woodson Tribute

Charles Woodson: Big Ten Icon

Leon Hall Tribute

50 Michigan Interceptions

Safety

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

Placekicker/Punter

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

Coaches

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.

On the Field with Bo

Bo Schembechler Tribute

Remembering Bo

The Schembechler Years I II III IV V VI VII VIII

The Team, The Team, The Team

Bo and Woody

Bo Schembecher: Big Ten Icon Coach

Fielding Yost

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

Fisher, Ray

Hanlon, Jerry

24

23

Burton, Tirrel 22
Moeller, Gary 22
Schembechler, Bo 21
Blott, Jack 21
Jackson, Fred 21
Herrmann, Jim 20
Courtright, Ray 15

Elliott, Bump

Campbell, Erik

14

13

Dufek, Don 12
DeBord, Mike 12

Crisler, Fritz

Hoke, Brady

Schudel, Paul

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

Dream Season #1 #2 #3 #4 #5

Top Ten Michigan Football Players by position-1969-2000

Michigan Football Records

Michigan Wolverines in the NFL

Michigan Football All-Americans

Michigan All-Time Lettermen

Michigan All-Star Game Participants

Michigan Football Captains

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)

Fields of Glory (Part II)

Story of The Big House

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

Michigan Football Trick Plays

Game Winning Touchdowns

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

1998 Michigan 27 Penn State 0

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

1987 Michigan 30 Minnesota 20

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

1980 Michigan 9 Ohio State 3

Michigan Football The 1970s

1979 Michigan 21 Michigan State 7

1978 Michigan 14 Ohio State 3

1978 Michigan 28 Notre Dame 14

1977 Michigan 14 Ohio State 6

1976 Michigan 22 Ohio State 0

1973 Michigan 10 Ohio State 10

1971 Michigan 10 Ohio State 7

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

Michigan Football 1965

1964 Michigan 10 Ohio State 0

Michigan Football 1964

1959 Michigan 23 Ohio State 14

Michigan Football 1959

Michigan Football 1958

Michigan Football 1957

Michigan Football 1954

Michigan Football 1952

Michigan Football 1951

1950 Michigan 9 Ohio State 3 (The Snow Bowl)

1950 Minnesota

Michigan Football 1949

1948 Rose Bowl Michigan 49 USC 0

1938 Michigan Football

The Big Ten Vault: Michigan Wolverines