Michigan Football: 15 Best Defensive Players in School History

It's only been 13 months since the University of Michigan played one of its worst defensive games in program history. Hopefully, a repeat of the 52-14 loss to Mississippi State won't ever happen.

Thanks to the hire of Brady Hoke and his staff a month later, the defense has now taken a turn in the right direction. From allowing 35.2 points per game during the 2010 campaign to 17.4 in 2011, Michigan is obviously on the right track.

The following slides feature the top 15 Michigan defenders of all time. Before too long, one of Hoke's players will crash the party.

Brandon Graham, DE (2006-09)

After playing sparingly as a freshman, Brandon Graham began the 2007 season firmly entrenched in Lloyd Carr's doghouse.

"Brandon, he needs to get focused and do the things he's capable of," Carr told the Ann Arbor News.

Apparently, Graham listened. He registered 3.5 sacks in the win over Notre Dame and eventually led the team in sacks with 8.5 for the season.

With the changeover from Carr to Rich Rodriguez, Graham became one of the team's true bright spots under a deteriorating defense.

Graham became the team's MVP in 2008 and 2009.  He completed his career tied for second with 29.5 career sacks and 56 tackles for loss. The 2009 first-team ESPN All-American was drafted as a first-round pick by Philadelphia in the 2010 NFL draft.

Leon Hall, CB (2003-06)

One of Michigan's 78 consensus All-Americans, Leon Hall had a sparkling four-year career with the Wolverines.

The hard-hitting cornerback is among the team leaders in several statistical categories.

Hall remains the all-time leader in career pass break-ups with 43 and is tied with Marlin Jackson for 18 in a season.

While his 12 career interceptions rank him fourth on the all-time Michigan list, perhaps his most exciting play occurred in 2005, when he scooped a Northwestern fumble and rambled 83 yards for the score. That set  the record for the longest fumble return for a touchdown, but it's since been tied by Courtney Avery, who also did it against Minnesota this past season.

A first-round draft choice by Cincinnati in 2007, Hall was rewarded last fall with a four-year contract extension worth $39 million, $14.1 million guaranteed.    

LaMarr Woodley, DE (2003-06)

LaMarr Woodley made his mark for Michigan as a hard-rushing defensive end.

While he was effective throughout his career, the awards piled up in his 2006 senior season. Woodley won both the Lombardi (lineman/linebacker) and Hendricks (defensive end) awards. Like his teammate Leon Hall, he was named consensus All-American.  

Also in 2006, Woodley tied the Michigan record of 12 sacks previously set by David Bowens. His hard-hitting ways also found the fumbles forced category. Woodley still holds the Michigan career record with 10. 

He was the 46th player taken overall (second round) in the 2007 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has since earned a Super Bowl ring (XLIII) and a Pro Bowl invitation (2009). 

James Hall, DE/LB (1996-99)

Another of Michigan's "sack masters", James Hall totaled 11 sacks in 1998. His total of 25 placed him third on Michigan's all-time career list.

Hall's 40 career tackles for loss placed him ninth on that list.

Hall was part of Michigan's co-national champion team that defeated Washington State in the Rose Bowl.

Just a sophomore, Hall was sensational against the Cougars, contributing 5.5 sacks and two tackles for loss.

Hall has spent 12 years in the NFL, the last five with St. Louis.

Charles Woodson, CB (1995-97)

There's no better way to cement your name on a list like this than to be the only primarily defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy. 

Woodson won that honor in 1997, along with several others. 

He was, of course, a member of Michigan's undefeated co-national championship team.

His national awards that season included: Walter Camp (Player of the Year), Sporting News (Player of the Year), Chuck Bednarik (defensive player), Bronko Nagurski (best defensive), Jim Thorpe (defensive back) and Jack Tatum (defensive back).

Statistically, Woodson is second behind Tom Curtis (25) in career interceptions with 18. He also ran back punts and played wide receiver on occasion. Last but not least, he was a two-time consensus All-American (1996, 1997). 

Jarrett Irons, LB (1993-96)

A consensus All-American, Jarrett Irons was a team co-captain in 1995 and 1996.

Jarrett is currently second on Michigan's all-time career tackle list with 440.

A participant in four bowl games, Irons was part of wins in the Hall of Fame and Holiday Bowls, and losses in the Alamo and Outback Bowls.

Erick Anderson, LB (1988-91)

The ultimate "fundamental" player, Erick Anderson was the first Wolverine to lead the team in tackles all four years.

Anderson finished his career with 428 tackles, third on Michigan's all-time list.

A UPI and Football News All-American in 1991, Anderson also had a four-year NFL career.

He helped lead Michigan to four Big Ten titles and three Rose Bowl appearances, in addition to winning the Butkus (linebacker) Award as a senior.

Tripp Welborne, S (1987-1990)

A two-time consensus All-American, Welborne played on three Big Ten Championship teams as a defensive back and punt returner.

Welborne contributed 238 tackles in addition to returning 67 punts for 773 yards.

His 455 punt-return yards during the 1990 season ranked second behind Steve Breaston's 619.

Mark Messner, DT (1985-88)

Arguably Michigan's best-ever defensive tackle, Mark Messner was always a thorn in the sides of enemy quarterbacks.

The Michigan record-holder for career sacks with 36, Messner also holds the tackle-for-loss career record with 70.

A key member of Michigan's 1985 team, which gave up just 98 points, Messner was part of two Big Ten Championship teams.

He was eventually rewarded in 1988 by being named a consensus All-American.

Ron Simpkins, LB (1976-79)

Michigan's all-time leading tackler with 516, Ron Simpkins was named a consensus All-American in 1979.

Also a team captain that season, Simpkins holds the Michigan single-season tackle mark with 174.

Simpkin's four Michigan teams compiled a 27-5-0 Big Ten record, won three league titles and played in three Rose Bowls.

He continued his football career in the NFL for eight seasons.

Dave Brown, CB (1972-74)

A cornerback for coach Bo Schembechler, Dave Brown was a consensus All-American in 1973 and a unanimous pick in 1974.

Brown's three Michigan teams finished with a 30-2-1 record and shared three Big Ten Championships.

Unfortunately, none of his squads went to a bowl game.

In addition to nine career interceptions, Brown ran back three punts for touchdowns.

Brown went on to play 15 years in the NFL.

Tom Curtis, S (1967-69)

Those who were fans in 1969 no doubt recall Michigan's 24-12 upset of Ohio State.

Cornerback Barry Pierson earned the headlines that day with three interceptions and a huge punt return.

But it was Tom Curtis who assembled the great career. Still the Michigan career leader with 25 interceptions, Curtis also owns the Wolverine season record with 10.

A consensus All-American in 1969, Curtis was named to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005.

Alvin Wistert, T (1947-49)

One of the oldest men to ever play college football, Alvin Wistert won a defensive tackle slot in 1947 at age 31.

A member of two national championship teams, Wistert was also a two-time consensus All-American.

Alvin followed his two brothers to Michigan, who were also All-Americans. All three brothers wore the No. 11, which has since been retired.  

Before playing for Michigan, Wistert spent four years in the U.S. Marines. He spent his freshman year at Boston University.

Bennie Oosterbaan, E (1925-27)

A rare three-time consensus All-American, Benny Oosterbaan earned that honor while playing for two Big Ten Championship teams.

Along with his football playing exploits, Oosterbaan was also an All-American basketball player and All-Big Ten baseball player.

Oosterbaan later coached the football team to the 1948 national championship.

A two-way end on the 1925-27 football teams, Oosterbaan's defensive play was lauded during a 1925 shutout over Illinois and in 1926 during a 7-6 win over Minnesota. Against the Gophers, Oosterbaan  scooped up a fumble and raced 60 yards for a Michigan touchdown.

Neil Snow, FB/E (1898-1901)

A fullback on offense and an end on defense, Neil Snow was part of coach Fielding Yost's 1901 point-a-minute team, which outscored the opposition 550 to 0. That team went on to defeat Stanford, 49-0, in the inaugural Rose Bowl game.

Snow, who was named Rose Bowl MVP, was also a 1901 consensus All-American.

A great baseball and track athlete, sportswriter Grantland Rice ranked Snow as one of the three greatest all-around collegiate athletes, with Jim Thorpe and Elmer Oliphant.

Snow was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1960.