Who is your favorite Michigan player of all time?

Submitted by Above and Beyond on

This is likely a cliché thing to ask and post on a message board. If so, feel free to delete. I'm just trying to talk as much football as possible.

If you had to just choose one, who is your all-time favorite Michigan football player? Below is mine.

MileHighWolverine

August 18th, 2015 at 1:20 PM ^

I was lucky enough to be a student for the 97/98 season and I can't pick just one guy from that team so I'll go with top 3:

1. Brian Griese

2. Charles Woodson

3. Dhani Jones (we have the same birthday)

 

go16blue

August 18th, 2015 at 1:32 PM ^

Born in '94 here, for context.

1. Denard

2. Mario Manningham (won us a game against MSU on my Bar Mitzva day lol)

3. Kovacs

4. Mike Hart

5. Lamaar Woodley

Edit: I was only thinking football, but if we count basketball, you can throw Zack Novak right behind Denard.

Wolverine_in_MD

August 18th, 2015 at 1:52 PM ^

I was at the 1998 Rose Bowl, and on the last play that WSU ran, they tried a hook and ladder.  Wide receiver caught the ball, tossed a lateral to the running back, and Jones made a touchdown saving tackle.  As the running back rose from the turf, Jones waved his finger as if to say "No, no , no you didn't fool us!", and Leaf tried to clock the ball, but the clock ran out and the Wolverines were National Champs.

Dhani has remained a class act and a fabulous representative of the University. Plus, I love his bow ties!

He also had a pretty good teammate in #2, Mr. Woodson.

I will never forget that tackle tho.........

Philmypockets

August 18th, 2015 at 2:01 PM ^

He won us a championship and was by far the best player to suit up in football. If you asked any coach in the NCAA they would have him at or near the top. How many would say Denard, Woodley, etc, before Woodson, Sanders, Bo, etc,?

mgoblue0970

August 18th, 2015 at 2:03 PM ^

Gutsiest perfomance I can remember... Steve Everitt... shattered his jaw during ND and played 20 days later! 

Gustavo Fring

August 18th, 2015 at 2:06 PM ^

"Get the fuck off my court".  Needs to be the result every time MSU is allowed to even take the same court as Michigan.  Channeling Eazy E "Mothafuck Izzo Mothafuck Sparty Mothafuck Dantonio Mothafuck Cousins Mothafuck Lucas Mothafuck MAGIC"

SeaWolve75

August 18th, 2015 at 2:13 PM ^

AC revolutionized Michigan football, and was so fun to watch.  Denard matched the it-could-happen-on-any-play thrill, but he didn't revolutionize Michigan football the way AC did.

But Offensive Linemen are the key to quality Michigan football as far as I'm concerned.  I see Everitt and Hutch named.  Others particularly worthy of recognition: Kurt Becker, Stefan Humphries, and Jon Jansen.

And Mark Messner.  And Tripp Welbourne/Vada Murray.

FrankMurphy

August 18th, 2015 at 2:21 PM ^

The people I'm most impressed with in life are those who make something out of nothing. In sports, my favorite players are those who weren't blessed with ideal size, speed, or athletic ability, but who still manage to make their mark through sheer determination, hard work, and grit. So my favorites, in order, would be:

1) Dr. Eric "Zeus" Mayes

2) Jordan Kovacs

3) Brian Griese

4) Tom Brady

5) Spike Albrecht

Honorary mention: Trey Burke, Denard Robinson (doesn't fit the criteria, I know, but how can you not love the guy?)

Squader

August 18th, 2015 at 2:40 PM ^

Didn't care about Michigan until I became a student, so as cool as it is to go back and watch Woodson, Howard, etc. I can't say I ever had any strong attachment to those guys during their careers. Given that, I'll make my first post on this board one in honor of Jason Avant. The yin of consistent doubles to Braylon's yang of mind-blowing home runs mixed with crushing drops, I loved watching that guy catch anything that came within five yards of him.

Close second is probably Lamarr. His 2006 fumble return might be my favorite play of the last decade.

egrfree2rhyme

August 18th, 2015 at 2:46 PM ^

1. Denard... easy

2A - Brady

2B - Navarre

2C - David Harris

2D - Hart

2E - Wheatley

2F - Woodson

 

Bball:

1A - Spike

1B - Nowak

3A - Mitch

3B - CWebb

3C - JCraw

3D - JMo

3E - Darius Morris

3F - Burke

Honorable mention: Dion Harris, Graham Brown, GR3, Stauskas, Manny Harris

billybrown

August 18th, 2015 at 2:56 PM ^

In no particular order



Elvis Grbac-went to my first game in 1989 and Grbac was the starter was a fan since then.



Mike Hart



Desmond Howard



Charles Woodson



Denard Robinson



Brandon Graham



Mario Manningham



Chad Henne



Chris Perry



Tim Biakabutuka



Jerame Tuman



Tom Brady



mi93

August 18th, 2015 at 2:56 PM ^

to know a handful of guys during my time on campus. Juwan Howard and Chris Tamer were two of the greatest people you'll ever meet and I enjoyed following their pro careers because of it.

And among football players, Desmond was the complete package - nice guy, gifted athlete.  The semester he won the Heisman, I watched him stay after a class and sign an unreasonably oversized stack of photos that someone from the Daily asked him to sign.  He did every one.

gobluegier

August 18th, 2015 at 3:35 PM ^

Charles Woodson. Followed closely by the reason for not giving up sports all together: Denard Robinson. (Who I actually met in person and is just as awesome as you would expect)

MGoStrength

August 18th, 2015 at 3:36 PM ^

Favorite person, Denard.  He is just such a good natured guy.  Favorite player while at UM, Woodson.  It's hard to compete with his dominance, Heisman, beating OSU, NC, etc.  His one handed INT against MSU was one of my all-time fav UM plays.  He knew he was the best player on the field every time he stepped onto the field regardless of who his opponent was.  It's hard to not have him as your favorite.  Favorite player that went to UM, Brady....not so much for what he did at UM, but what his success in the NFL does for UM, and his toughness.  Favorite single game performance, Biakabutuka's '95 performance with 300+ yards to beat OSU.  Favorite hair...JMFR while long.  I also always really liked Darnell Hood and Brandon Minor who never quite accomplished what I thought they were capable of.

Blue Kool Aid

August 18th, 2015 at 4:53 PM ^

Strinko was an awesome MLB who tore is knee up in the days before they could patch up a second rounder....

and if Harlan Huckleby is not a great name for a breakaway running back, I would love ot hear better.