January 5th, 2012 at 11:30 AM ^
The late, great Jim Mandich. He was a teammate and life long friend. I remember him running down a hill behind the girl's dorm as a sophmore yelling "I'm the next Ron Kramer."
He was. He was 1st team All-American, 2 times 1st team All-Big Ten. 2 times Academic All-Big Ten, and Academic All-American. No tight end has compared to Jim since he last played as the team captain in 1969. Most of all he was my best friend.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:34 AM ^
I'm not sure that David Harris is my favorite, but damn I loved him in blue. Kid from GR that wasn't highly acclaimed coming out of high school and was a beast! I always hoped that Obi Ezeh would continue the #45 GR linebacker breed and its excellence.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:42 AM ^
January 5th, 2012 at 11:49 AM ^
I grew up here. Ann Arbor is magical. I still remember when I was in first grade and Jim Harbaugh came to my school to visit students. All the things that I've seen and all the athletes I've loved nobody comes close to Denard. I was a huge Desmond kid. Loved Ty wheatly. Woodson and woodley we're favorites as well but it's Denard. The guy is remarkable. He's good on the field too.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:53 AM ^
At points during his career it became like an emotional blanket relationship. I'd scream at Lloyd through the TV "just give it to Hart, everything will be ok, just give it to Hart..." The zone left would literally calm me down and make me believe everything was right in the world
THe rest:
2. Woodson
3. Denard
4. Biakabatuka
January 5th, 2012 at 12:02 PM ^
My wife (and Charles Woodson)
January 5th, 2012 at 12:13 PM ^
Running back when I was a freshman in 2003, watched him grit it out during the 2003 game against ohio state, really solidified my enjoyment of the whole Michigan Football Experience.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:13 PM ^
Anthony Carter, without a doubt
January 5th, 2012 at 12:22 PM ^
Charles Woodson with a Denard as a close second.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:30 PM ^
Charles Woodson. Not even close for me. I'll always love Desmond, AC, Wheatley, A-Train, Perry, Hart, Braylon, Long, Henne, Mario, Denard, Hutch, geez, I could keep going, just like all of you... Here's to hoping Shane Morris eclipses Charles, because for that, I'm guessing there would have to be a heisman and a championship or two involved!
But honorable mention goes to those who have fought hard and given everything to Michigan when times have been tough. Players I will never forget... Brandon Graham, David Molk and Ryan Van Bergen.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:34 PM ^
Denard Xavier Robinson
January 5th, 2012 at 12:54 PM ^
there are too many favs to separate one from another. Perhaps from one team but not over the whole period of time.
Because of what they had to endure, and the true Michigan Man style they did it in, I'm going to forward the Brandons Graham and Minor
January 5th, 2012 at 1:01 PM ^
Team 132. I have never been so maddened, joyous, depressed, or exhilarated by a team like them. I got a little misty during Junior's speech. Dammit I love them.
January 5th, 2012 at 1:03 PM ^
Naturally, my favorite changes from day to day. Right now (and quite often) it's John Runyan, who was an absolutely filthy monster of a human being. He would eat Lewan's children.
Hutchinson was probably the best player ever to play at Michigan, and I say that with no hyperbole. Long. Baas. Pape. Jansen with the Jug. I like lineman, as you might be see by now.
The magic of Desmond and Woodson. The fire of Leach, Harbaugh, Hart. Highlight reel plays of AC, Toomer, Hayes, Streets, Terrell, Walker. The Braylon show. All of the great backs, my favorite of which is Anthony Thomas.
Best single-game performance ever: Biakabutuka. Every year around the Ohio week, Biakabutuka comes to mind and takes the top spot.
Of course, the greatest Wolverine of all: Bo. Followed closely by Rich Rodriguez.
January 5th, 2012 at 1:06 PM ^
Chuck Wood of course.
January 5th, 2012 at 1:21 PM ^
Woodson. Dominant at Michigan. Dominant in the pros. Plus, the $2 million donation to Mott's.
January 5th, 2012 at 5:36 PM ^
Jason Avant. Class all the way.
January 6th, 2012 at 11:23 AM ^
1. Denard
2. Hart
3. Woodson
4. Wheatley
5. Vincent Smith - This is less obvious, but I just root for him so hard because of his effort and toughness. I shed a tear when he got a concussion against Ohio last year. True team player and a great teammate.
January 11th, 2012 at 11:09 PM ^