michiganfootballhistory

Tom Harmon RB

Michigan’s first Heisman winner won the famed trophy in 1940. He leading Michigan to a 7–1 record. He rushed for 852 yards on 191 carries with 15 touchdowns, and threw for 506 yards, completing 43 of 94 passes with 6 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. This culminated in his best performance during his final game at Michigan, where, versus their biggest rival Ohio State, he led Michigan to a 40–0 victory—scoring five total touchdowns, making four extra points, and intercepting three passes.

Despite being taken first overall in the NFL draft by the Chicago Bears, and his dominant college career, Harman chose to not to play in the NFL instead choosing to try a career in movies. That wouldn’t last long however as when WWII started Harmon would enlist in the Army as a pilot from 1942-1945, earning a Silver Star and a Purple Heart.

Desmond Howard WR/PR/KR

Desmond Howard is one of the more recognizable Michigan players. Know for his spectacular catches and electric style of play, He became the first receiver in Big Ten history to lead the conference in scoring, he set or tied five NCAA records and 12 single-season Michigan records. He caught 61 passes for 960 yards and 19 touchdowns, rushed for 165 yards on 12 attempts for 2 touchdowns, and ran in both a kick off and kick return for a touchdown getting his team to finish with a 10-2 record. Howard’s dominance led him to win the Heisman by the second largest margin ever.

Howard would go onto be drafted by the Washington Redskins 4th overall. He would go on to play 11 seasons in the NFL breaking the single season record for punt return yards in a season, make an All Pro Team in 1996, a Pro Bowl in 2000 and won the Super Bowl MVP in 1997 with the Green Bay Packers. He now works as a college football analyst for ESPN.

Charles Woodson DB/PR/KR

By far the best to ever play for the Wolverines, Charles Woodson is one of the most dominate college football players of all time. He finished his legendary 1997 season with 43 total tackles, 7 interceptions, caught 11 passes for 231 for 2 touchdowns with both a punt return and rushing touchdown to go with it. Woodson’s incredible play led Michigan to a 11-0 record with National Championship victory over Washington State in the Rose Bowl. He became the first ever defensive player to win the Heisman in doing so beating out future NFL Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and Randy Moss.

He would go on to be selected 4th overall by the Oakland Raider where his stellar play would continue. Woodson played 18 seasons in the NFL making, 9 Pro Bowls, 8 All Pro Teams, won a Defensive Player of the Year, tied the record for most career defensive touchdowns at 13, and won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers in 2011. He made the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021 on the first ballot.