Favorite Wolverine Football Player
Who is your favorite University of Michigan Wolverine Football player of all time?
My Dad's favorite was Tom Harmon.
Mine is Charles Woodson.
The fact that he was Mr. Football State of Ohio, and we land him, is only the beginning.
NCAA and Super Bowl Champion. Heisman winner. 18 year NFL career.
He's always been a supporter of the program and the U, up to and including his efforts and support for the much needed Mott rebuild.
I also loved Rob Lytle, and obviously, Desmond.
Who do you revere?
January 6th, 2019 at 8:03 AM ^
Has to be AC. First of that type of player and should've won the Heisman.
Post Michigan in the Pros: Brady.
January 6th, 2019 at 8:08 AM ^
Most of my favorites have already been mentioned. But I'll add Mark Messner, for doing amazing things on the field. Including barfing on a Notre Dame player!
“It was my first start. I was so nervous! On the third play, third down, I said, ‘Ohmigod, they’ll be coming right at me. It’s on national television.’ And I threw up! Right on the offensive lineman’s hand.
“Of course, he can’t move, but he’s looking at his hand and going,
‘Uggh!’ And the ball was snapped. He didn’t get off the count. And I made the tackle. They had to punt.”
January 6th, 2019 at 8:30 AM ^
January 6th, 2019 at 8:35 AM ^
Woodson is obvious. Before him, Tyrone Wheatley.
January 6th, 2019 at 8:54 AM ^
- Anthony Carter-still the most amazing college wide receiver I've ever seen.
- Jim Harbaugh-bad assed winner who called the game when I was on a long term assignment in downtown Columbus, Ohio.
- Russell Davis-a fullback's fullback when it was still real position.
- Charles Woodson-led the team that will allow me to die a happy man.
January 6th, 2019 at 8:57 AM ^
Woodson, he and that team are the reason I’m a Michigan football fan.
January 6th, 2019 at 9:14 AM ^
I know this is directed to football PLAYERS, but my favorite Wolverine of all time is none other than....
Bo Schembechler
January 6th, 2019 at 11:17 AM ^
There can be no other.
Why did this take so long?
Although Michigan teetered on the edge of greatness, never really getting to the top of the mountain, he brought UM out of the doldrums with a VENGEANCE and everything over the last 50 years is because of Him (except the recent shitty Ohio State stuff).
January 6th, 2019 at 9:35 AM ^
Charles Woodson and Tom Brady.
January 6th, 2019 at 9:46 AM ^
1. Woodson
2. Wheatley
3. Harbaugh
4. Desmond Howard
5. Denard Robinson
January 6th, 2019 at 10:31 AM ^
Hope I don't get flamed for this, but my favorite player is John O'Korn.
A few reasons why:
1) did not have the required talent to fill the shoes he did, and still showed up every day and gave it all he had.
2) supported Larry Prout and was active with him throughout surgery recovery, etc.
3) torched a cocky Purdue team who smelled upset blood in front of his former coach that benched him.
January 6th, 2019 at 10:36 AM ^
1) #1 is number 1. AC was electrifying to watch catching passes and returning kicks. He was personally responsible for getting Bo to incorporate the forward pass into the offense. 3-time AA on at least one team and a consensus as a senior.
2) #2 is number 2. "Charles in charge" was both the best cornerback and best all around football player I have watched in nearly 60 years of watching college football.
3) Denard. He was a reason to watch a team in otherwise trying times. Performances away and home with Notre Dame for the ages. Never gets due credit for clutch performances in critical games including Nebraska and OSU in 2011. And though the glorious Sugar Bowl victory was shy on offense, he put two key passes right where they had to be for us to win.
4) "Touchdown Billy Taylor." As a fan of running backs, he was the first great Mich back that I got to see in person multiple times during his career.
5) Rob Lytle "The blond bomber from Freemont Ohio." An unselfish blocking fullback until he got his chance to shine at tailback, and shine he did.
Honorable mention: The many, many great offensive linemen from Tom Mack to Jake Long (and the long list in between, which if I made it, I would be afraid of missing guys). This is what made Michigan football excellent, year in and year out.
PS. How did I possibly leave out Desmond? If possible for a Heisman winner, I think he is under-appreciated. Although this list is "favorites" not necessarily the best- he was both one of the best, and a favorite.
January 6th, 2019 at 6:45 PM ^
Billy Taylor was few years before I became aware of Michigan. My first love for Michigan was against USC and the phantom touchdown. That’s when I first learned the names Rick Leach and Roosevelt Smith.
January 6th, 2019 at 11:08 AM ^
Honestly, I wasn't old enough to see a lot of the golden ages. As of recently, Ben Mason has been mine. I love his face-mashing style lol
January 6th, 2019 at 12:18 PM ^
AC - because he was the first dynamic player in my memory
January 6th, 2019 at 6:39 PM ^
Mine too.
January 6th, 2019 at 12:25 PM ^
I graduated in 2011 which remains the only 4-year graduating class in university history to have a losing football record.
Denard and Brandon Graham were the two brightest stars in a space largely devoid of any light. Without question the most fun player I've ever seen (Denard) and the most dominant (BG) during my time at Michigan.
January 6th, 2019 at 1:42 PM ^
Jarrod Bunch is high on my list. He was a first round NFL draft pick as a fullback.
Tom Brady is the only player that I have Michigan home and away and NFL jerseys for. With his NFL career, he confirmed to me that I know more about football than Lloyd Carr. So I appreciate him for that.
January 6th, 2019 at 2:11 PM ^
I really like Bunch, too. Great player. My #10 jersey was Todd Collins . . .
January 6th, 2019 at 1:43 PM ^
Woodson by a landslide and about 5 or 6 others for the second spot
January 6th, 2019 at 2:07 PM ^
Harlan Huckleby.
January 6th, 2019 at 8:49 PM ^
Solid choice.
January 6th, 2019 at 2:09 PM ^
AC. My first M football hero as a kid, and always will be.
Honorable Mention:
Rick Leach (Flint guy)
Steve Smith (GB guy)
Chuck (superhero guy)
Desmond (1st Heisman guy (of my time))
January 6th, 2019 at 6:38 PM ^
Anthony Carter was my favorite too. Always electric when he touched the ball.
January 6th, 2019 at 2:12 PM ^
Elvis grbac - wore 15 because of him. People’s sexiest athlete 1998.
January 6th, 2019 at 2:18 PM ^
Back in 1997 I was a senior in high school and my grandma passed away from breast cancer right before the Ohio state game. As a grieving family we watched the game and my uncle said if Michigan was going to win, Glen Steele would have to be huge. And he was. He had 2 sacks and recovered a fumble. He was an animal that day. Ever since he’s been my all time favorite wolverine and had a spot in heart
January 6th, 2019 at 4:29 PM ^
As a Buckeye, Glen Steele is one of my least favorites as he caused us much grief in the late 90s. However, I am glad he was able to comfort your family for a few hours after your loss. Sometimes football isn't everything.
January 6th, 2019 at 6:12 PM ^
Mark Messner.
CC grad. Outstanding defensive lineman despite being small.
Great guy.
January 6th, 2019 at 6:35 PM ^
Wow! So many to choose from. But if I had to pick, it would be Anthony Carter. Loved him as a little boy and remembered how he helped to change Bo’s idea of the forward pass somewhat. Butch Woolfolk is another of my favorite wolverines as is Rick Leach. Then there was Jim Harbaugh and Jamie Morris when I was older.
January 6th, 2019 at 8:07 PM ^
Lots of great names mentioned. I'd add Devin Gardner. I've always felt if he had better coaching, he could've been ann all-timer.
January 6th, 2019 at 11:21 PM ^
Chris Perry.
January 6th, 2019 at 11:25 PM ^
While I loved Woodson, also Jarrett Irons but I loved Ian Gold Day 1. He started at HB, looked good there to.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:18 AM ^
Woodson without question. A great representative of Michigan Football.
Brandon Graham was always fun to watch take QB's out of the game as well.
January 7th, 2019 at 10:55 AM ^
Tangentially related, The most memorable UM player for me - Tim Biakubuthescrushedmysoul, Nov 25, 1995 when he ran for 313 yards and derailed the season for tOSU. It was more painful and memorable than the Woodson Heisman pose by far.
January 7th, 2019 at 6:11 PM ^
#1AC
Sealed my love for Michigan football growing up in southern Indiana.
January 8th, 2019 at 2:54 PM ^
The way too obvious answer.... Charles Woodson
September 1st, 2019 at 3:27 PM ^
Leon Hall, John Navarre, and David Cone