From Desmond Howard to David Molk: Michigan Wolverines 25-Year Team

Michigan has a long, proud tradition of great players at every position. In my nearly 22 years, I have seen some of the all-time greats—from Desmond Howard to Tim Biakabutuka to Charles Woodson, and all the way up to Rimington Award-winning, All-American center David Molk of the 2011 team.

As much as it pains me to admit, I got the idea to do this from the Ohio State Buckeyes' official "All-Time Team." I can't presume to give an opinion on such players as Benny Friedman or Horace Greely Prettyman (scored the first touchdown in Ann Arbor). Thus, I have decided to name a team of the best players to suit up in the maize and blue within the last 25 years.

Quarterback: Elvis Grbac

Some people may be shaking their heads about now. They are wondering why Elvis Grbac popped up instead of say, Brian Griese, who led Michigan to the championship in 1997. Or should it be Chad Henne who owns most of Michigan's passing records?

Well, it's simple. Grbac showed more poise in the pocket than the other two and had a 63 percent completion rate. He was the highest rated quarterback in the nation during his junior and senior seasons. Oh yeah, and he threw a few touchdown passes to some guy named Desmond Howard.

Halfback: Tim Biakabutuka

"Touchdown Tim" is best known for his 313 rushing yards against an undefeated Ohio State team with national championship hopes. He simply plowed through the defensive front and into the secondary almost every time he touched the ball. He carried defenders and fought for every inch. His performance is often viewed as one of the great individual efforts in Michigan football history.

In addition to his stellar game against Ohio State, Biakabutuka also holds Michigan's record for single-season rushing yards with 1,818.

Halfback: Mike Hart

Mike Hart is Michigan's all-time leader in rushing yards. In fact, with nearly 5,200 yards on the ground, nobody comes within 500 yards of him. He was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, a Heisman finalist and team co-captain during his tenure in Ann Arbor.

Apart from his obvious flare for running the ball, Hart's outstanding character endeared him to his teammates and made him, well, the heart of the team. Seriously, no pun intended.

Fullback: Chris Floyd

Though you won't find him on the rushing yardage leaderboards, Chris Floyd is still an all-time great at fullback for Michigan. He did carry the ball when he needed to, but his main function was to lay lead blocks for superstars like Chris Howard and Anthony Thomas (and occasionally Charles Woodson). He also protected quarterback Brian Griese.

Floyd was a key member of the '97 team.

Wide Receiver: Desmond Howard

At the Michigan spring game press conference on Saturday, Desmond Howard said to coach Brady Hoke, "Desmond Howard, ESPN Analyst, '91 Heisman Trophy winner, Michigan." Yes, Desmond we know who you are, and here's why:

During the 1991 season, Desmond Howard was the most electrifying player in college football. His Heisman hype was built through insane acrobatic catches like his fourth-down catch to beat Notre Dame (see video at :52). He is one of the top Michigan leaders in receiving yards and touchdowns.

The Heisman was all but sealed up, but just to make sure, Howard made a 93-yard punt-return touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Howard swept the Heisman voting, garnering 85 percent of first-place votes.

He had fantastic chemistry with quarterback Elvis Grbac. You can't have one without the other.

Wide Receiver: Braylon Edwards

Braylon Edwards is an obvious selection at wide receiver. He basically owns the record book for wide-receiver production at Michigan (and in the Big Ten). He recorded three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and caught three touchdown passes in the 2005 Rose Bowl.

He was selected as the nation's top college receiver in 2004 and received the Fred Biletnikoff Award. Additionally, he was a first-team All-American selection.

Wide Receiver: Mario Manningham

Hot on the heels of the graduating Braylon Edwards, was Mario Manningham. During his freshman year he forever endeared himself to Michigan fans by snagging the game-winning touchdown pass to beat an undefeated Penn State team in the final seconds of play. He is also high on the Michigan leaderboards in every receiving category.

Tight End: Jerame Tuman

Jerame Tuman is the prototypical tight end. He is tough as nails, has the power to barrel through defenses and man-handle defensive linemen, and has the hands to bring in key passes. He was a favorite target of quarterback Brian Griese during Michigan's 1997 championship season. For his huge contributions to the team's success, Tuman was named a first-team All-American.

Center: David Molk

David Molk is one of the best Michigan O-linemen in years. As a center, he snapped the ball cleanly and crisply. As a blocker, he stuffed defensive linemen and linebackers with the best of them. He claims that his strength in the trenches comes from his thick neck. Whatever it may be, it works. 

Molk won the Rimington for his 2011 season, in addition to being Michigan's lone first-team All-American selection.

Offensive Tackle: Jon Runyan

Remember Tim Biakabutuka? Runyan is one of the main reasons Biakabutuka rushed for over 300 yards against Ohio State. Runyan's play at OT was fantastic.

His size, power and versatility opened up gaping holes in defensive lines, which Michigan's halfbacks turned into huge gains. He also received first-team All-American honors.

Offensive Tackle: Jake Long

In 2006, Michigan had their best chance at a championship season since 1997. At the heart of the team was offensive tackle Jake Long. In addition to protecting Michigan passing leader Chad Henne, Long opened holes for Michigan rushing leader Mike Hart.

Long was a two-time consensus All-American (2006, 2007). He was on the short-list for the Outland Trophy both years. Long was the first overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft.

He has since become the benchmark against which Michigan offensive linemen are measured.

Guard: Steve Hutchinson

Steve Hutchinson was a major part of the offensive success of the '97 championship team. He was an integral part of a fantastic offensive line. In his final two years at Michigan, he did not allow a single sack from his guard position. Like Jake Long, he was twice selected to the All-American team.

Guard: David Baas

David Baas was one of the best and most versatile offensive lineman in Michigan's history. Although he was moved to center halfway through his senior season, he excelled at guard and would have probably excelled at tackle as well.

He had the flexibility and athleticism required to go wherever Lloyd Carr needed him. He too, was a first-team All-American selection.

Defensive Tackle (Nose Guard): Rob Renes

Rob Renes was what you would call a smart player. He was one of very few Michigan players to be named All-Academic and All-American in the same season. He used his head for more than just filling a helmet.

His quick thinking allowed him to follow offensive plays and stop them in their tracks. He registered 151 solo tackles, 24 for loss, five sacks and three fumble recoveries during his stint at Michigan.

Defensive Tackle: Chris Hutchinson

Chris Hutchinson was an earlier version of Rob Renes. He was the most gifted scholar-athlete on the roster for his time. He was a sack-machine as well. He registered a record 11 sacks for minus-99 yards during his senior year. He finished with 24 sacks for 188 yards.

Like most of the other players on the list, Hutchinson was an All-American at his position and Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year.

Defensive End: LaMarr Woodley

Lamarr Woodley was easily the most dominant player on a very stout 2006 roster. Woodley was a quarterback's worst nightmare. During his 2006 season he made a record 12 sacks for 119 yards en route to a Lombardi Trophy. Additionally, he won the Hendricks and was a finalist for several others. Woodley was a 2006 first-team All-American at defensive end.

Guns don't kill people. LaMarr Woodley kills people.

Defensive End: Glen Steele

Glen Steele has arguably one of the best names for a defensive lineman ever. He anchored the outstanding 1997 Michigan defensive line. He was the threat on the edge. When he wasn't taking on two offensive linemen to let a linebacker or corner at the quarterback, he was getting to the quarterback himself.

Steele registered 47 tackles for loss and 24 sacks (then second highest) during his career at Michigan. He was named an All-American his senior year.

Linebacker: Sam Sword

Sam Sword was like a wall during his career, particularly during the '97 season. He registered 377 tackles throughout his career to give him the eighth most in Michigan history. He gave the safeties and corners a very easy time of things, cleaning up most runs before they got anywhere near the second level.

Linebacker: Jarrett Irons

Jarrett Irons is the reason Sam Sword wasn't an All-American in 1996. Irons took this honor, and with good reason. He is the second leading tackler in Michigan history with 296. It is almost unfair that the two could be on the field at the same time.

Irons also participated in perhaps the greatest goal-line stand in Michigan history against Penn State in 1993. The defense stuffed two quarterback sneaks and a halfback dive before Irons handled halfback Ki-Jana Carter on fourth down.

Linebacker: Erick Anderson

Erick Anderson is the third most prolific tackler after Jarrett Irons. He accounted for 286 solo tackles out of 428 total. He was the leading tackler at Michigan in each of his four seasons. He was an All-American in 1991 and the only Michigan player to ever win the Butkus Award.

Safety: Marcus Ray

Marcus Ray was part of the 1997 secondary that set the NCAA Division I-A record for fewest yards allowed per completion. Either they intercepted the ball, knocked it away or didn't let receivers carry it another inch after a completion.

During the championship season Ray made five interceptions, falling behind only Charles Woodson. Over his career he made 148 solo tackles for 229 total. He was a second-team All-American in 1997, first-team preseason in 1998 and twice All-Big Ten ('96-97).

Safety: Ernest Shazor

Ernest Shazor had defensive production across the board for Michigan. He did not start two full seasons, but in his time he put up excellent numbers. After the conclusion of his senior year in 2004, he had accumulated 125 solo tackles for 166 overall, 19 for loss, eight pass breakups, three sacks for minus-23 yards and five forced fumbles with two recoveries.

He also added four interceptions for 123 yards, including the holy grail for a defensive back: a pick six.

Cornerback: Leon Hall

Nobody at Michigan has broken up more passes than Leon Hall. He swatted away 46 passes and intercepted another 12. He ranks third in interceptions. He was an integral part of the dominant 2006 Wolverines defense along with LaMarr Woodley. Additionally, he registered 170 total tackles at Michigan. He was an All-American in 2006 with Woodley.

Cornerback: Charles Woodson

What can I say about Charles Woodson? One could make a strong argument that he is the best all-around Michigan football player of all time. He did everything...very well. He returned punts (for a touchdown against Ohio State during his 1997 Heisman season), ran the ball, played receiver and occasionally threw a pass.

For the purposes of this list, he is in his primary role of cornerback. He excelled at this position above all others. He recorded 18 interceptions over three seasons and 25 pass breakups. He was known for making key interceptions at key times in big games, particularly in the end zone (case in point: Rose Bowl 1998 vs. WSU Cougars, pictured). Where Leon Hall might make a pass breakup and an ordinary corner might give up a touchdown, Woodson made interceptions.

His outstanding and electrifying play was enough to garner first team All-American honors two out of his three years. Woodson hogged several of the biggest awards in the country as well. He won the Walter Camp, Nagurski, Bednarik, Thorpe and Jack Tatum. One would forgive me for saying this, but Michigan may not have won their 1997 national championship without Woodson.

He remains the only primarily defensive player to win the Heisman trophy.

Place Kicker: Garrett Rivas

Garrett Rivas is Michigan's leader in points scored with 354. He also holds the current Michigan records for field goals made and PATs made, with 64 and 162, respectively. Though never named an All-American, he is easily an all-time great.

Punter: Zoltan Mesko

Zoltan Mesko has the second-highest punting average in Michigan history. Because he has the highest average in the last 25 years, he is an obvious selection to this list. By the time he reached his senior year, he had the highest punting average in the Big Ten and was eighth in the nation.

Additionally, he was the only special teams player to be voted a team captain in Michigan's entire history.

Kick/Punt Return: Steve Breaston

Steve Breaston is the most prolific return man in Big Ten history in terms of returns and yardage (208 combined returns for 3,592 total yards). He also registered five returns for touchdowns, which is a Michigan record.

His incredible speed, vision and determination combined to give him some incredible returns. Additionally, he fought for every single yard. Rather than running out of bounds after being cornered, he would cut back inside in an attempt to extend his return.

The only accolade that seems to have eluded him is a return touchdown against Ohio State. Both Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson managed this feat.