10 Greatest Michigan Football Players in History

The No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft in 2007, Long established himself as a force on Michigan’s offensive line in the four seasons prior.

He earned consensus All-American honors twice and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year honors in the same two seasons of 2006 and 2007 before putting together four Pro-Bowl seasons in the professional ranks. 

8. QB J.J. McCarthy (2021-2023)

A winner through and through, McCarthy lost just one game in his two seasons as Michigan starter.

No player in FBS history has a greater winning percentage than his .964 mark, which, of course was capped with the 2023 national championship. He left Ann Arbor after that with 49 passing touchdowns to his name.

7. RB Mike Hart (2004-2007)

Michigan never quite hit the supreme highs during Hart’s tenure in the mid-2000s, but it wasn’t because of him. He ran for 1,000 yards in three of his four seasons, including going for more than 1,400 on the ground as a freshman.

No one in school history has ever run for more yardage and Hart did pick up that national title as the team’s running backs coach in 2023.

6. WR Anthony Carter (1979-1982)

Carter is the only player in Michigan history who ranks in the top 10 in receptions having played their entire career in the 20th century. His ability completely altered the Wolverines, modernizing them from a run-heavy bunch to a team great at passing and receiving, too.

He earned three first-team All-Big Ten honors and Big Ten Player of the Year in 1982. He ranks second in team history in yards receiving and touchdown catches and fifth in receptions.

5. DL/LB Mark Messner (1985-1988)

Messner was an animal in the middle of Michigan’s defensive line in the mid-to-late 80s. He made first-team All-Big Ten in all four of his seasons and earned All-American status in each year, too.

In fact, Messner was the Man from the word go, having started all 49 games while in a Wolverines uniform. He remains the team’s all-time sacks and tackles-for-loss leader.

4. OL Steve Hutchinson (1996-2000)

No relation to the aforementioned Aidan Hutchinson, Steve Hutchinson didn’t allow a single sack in his final two years as a starter on Michigan’s offensive line.

During his final season of 1997, he helped pave the way for the Wolverines’ first national championship since 1948 while earning Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and unanimous All-American honors.

For good measure, he’s a Pro Football Hall of Famer who made seven Pro Bowls.

3. HB Tom Harmon (1938-1940)

Whether he was doing it at quarterback, halfback, kicker or on defense, Harmon was leading Michigan to great things.

The school’s first Heisman Trophy winner in 1939, Harmon was a three-time first-team All-Big Ten pick who helped the Wolverines roll up Ohio State, 40-0, in 1940. That dismantling alone would make him a great one to most Michigan fans. He’s more than that, though, so much more that the school retired his No. 98.

2. WR Desmond Howard (1988-1991)

It’s hard for anyone in Michigan history to match the kind of season Howard put together in 1991. He finished top 15 in FBS in receptions, yards receiving and caught 19 touchdowns passes, four more than anyone else for the Wolverines ever.

Throw in a punt return score and one on kick returns and Howard’s in-game Heisman-Trophy pose wasn’t braggadocious as much as it was simple fact.

1. DB Charles Woodson (1995-1997)

Simply the best. You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone fervently disagreeing about Woodson’s status as the greatest player in Michigan history.

The man could do it all. Both sides of the ball. Return Game. Heisman Trophy. National Championship. College Football Hall of Fame. Pro Football Hall of Fame. One of the best to ever play.

More Michigan Wolverines Football Rankings

• 5 Greatest Quarterbacks in Michigan History
• 5 Greatest Running Backs in Michigan History
• 5 Greatest Defensive Players in Michigan History