Michigan Football: Top 10 Offensive Stars Who Wore the Maize and Blue
As Michigan shifted away from Bo Schembechler's option offense in the late 1970s, a parade of skill players began immigrating to Ann Arbor.
The prototype NFL offense would become the staple at Michigan until just a few years ago. Quarterbacks such as Jon Wangler, Jim Harbaugh, Elvis Grbac and Tom Brady were competing for the Big 10 championship on a yearly basis.
Their targets were Anthony Carter, Desmond Howard, David Terrell and Braylon Edwards.
Seldom did Michigan go without a first- or second-round draft choice. Many of these stars still wear NFL uniforms.
Here's a list of the successful players still in action:
Note: A few weeks back, we wrote a companion piece on defense. Here is the link:
Jason Avant, Class '05, Philadelphia Eagles, WR, No. 81
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Known as a possession receiver, Jason Avant played alongside Braylon Edwards during his sophomore and junior years. By the time he was a senior, Avant became Michigan's primary option. He caught 82 passes and became Michigan's MVP.
Avant carried the possession label with him to the Eagles, settling in at the slot position. Avant has become a favorite third-down target. Of his 52 third-down receptions, 45 have resulted in first downs.
Avant explains what's necessary: "You go over the middle, you're going to pay a tax. You can do business there, but you're going to get taxed. And that tax is getting hit. You get used to it."
Tom Brady, Class '99, New England Patriots, QB, No. 12
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Brady started his Michigan career seventh on the depth chart, well behind starter Brian Griese. He eventually beat out two-sport star Drew Henson for the starting job at the outset of his junior year.
During the 1998 and 1999 seasons, Brady split with Ohio State, and won both bowl games.
As a senior, Brady set the Michigan record for most completions in a game. The record, which still stands, was set in the 2000 Orange Bowl where the Wolverines topped Alabama 35-34 in overtime.
Brady completed 34 of 46 passes for 369 yards and four touchdowns
The majority of Tom's accolades came after he left Michigan.
He'll be known for three Super Bowl rings, the "tuck" rule and, of course, his popularity with the ladies.
His NFL career has been stunning. Brady's been named the Super Bowl MVP twice, and was a Pro Bowl selection six times.
Steve Breaston, Class '06, Arizona Cardinals, WR, No. 15
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Steve Breaston was one of Michigan's top all-around players. Primarily a receiver, he was also a fine punt return and kickoff return specialist. Breaston caught 156 passes in his Michigan career, while he also accumulated 1,599 punt return yards and 1,993 kickoff return yards.
Breaston has scaled back his return role at Arizona but has a total of 187 receptions in his four-year NFL career.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Todd Collins, Class '94, Chicago Bears, QB, No. 10
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Todd Collins was a career backup until the Washington Redskins turned to him late in the 2007 season. Collins came off the bench to replace the injured Jason Campbell. He led the Redskins to a 24-16 victory over Chicago and kept their slim playoff hopes alive.
Collins remained the starter, knocking off the Giants, Vikings and Cowboys to send the Redskins into the playoffs. The magic wore off in the Wild Card Game against Seattle. He tossed two fourth-quarter pick-sixes in the 35-14 loss.
In his collegiate career, Collins led Michigan to a pair of bowl victories as a two-year starter. His 1993 squad topped North Carolina State 42-7 in the Hall of Fame Bowl, and his 1994 team defeated Colorado State in the Holiday Bowl.
Collins completed 457 of 711 passes for 5,858 yards and 37 touchdowns in just over two seasons. His 64.3 completion percentage is still a Michigan record.
Braylon Edwards, Class '08, New York Jets, WR, No. 17
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While Braylon Edwards had a steady and spectacular career at Michigan, his years in the NFL have been anything but.
He's been in trouble with the law while earning a spot in the Pro Bowl.
He was basically run out of Cleveland before settling down with the Jets.
While he's a respected philanthropist, he's been called the second-most hated man (LeBron James) in Cleveland.
Braylon Edwards, the son of Michigan running back Stanley Edwards, holds five of the six major receiving records at Michigan. Edwards has the record for season receptions (92), career receptions (252), career touchdown receptions (39) and records for career (3,541) and season (1,330) receiving yards.
In his six-year NFL career, Edwards has totaled 326 catches
Jonathan Goodwin, Class '01, New Orleans Saints, C, No. 76
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Jonathan Goodwin is ready to embark on the 10th year of his NFL career. Goodwin, who's played center, both guard spots and right tackle, played five years with the Jets before heading to New Orleans in 2006. Goodwin played a part in New Orleans Super Bowl XLIV victory and was a reserve in the 2010 Pro Bowl.
Goodwin was a two-year starter at Michigan during the 2000 and 2001 seasons, before becoming a fifth-round pick of the Jets in 2002.
Chad Henne, Class 07, Miami Dolphins, QB, No. 7
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A four-year starter at Michigan, Chad Henne was only the second true freshman to start the season opener. The first was Rick Leach in 1975.
Henne was also one of the few quarterbacks to lose every game against Ohio State. The big one, of course, was the final game of the 2006 season when No. 1 Ohio State beat No. 2 Michigan, 42-39.
There was small consolation a year later when Henne and Michigan defeated Tim Tebow and Florida, 41-35 in the Capital One Bowl.
Otherwise, Henne's numbers are staggering. During his Michigan career, he completed 828 of 1,387 passes for 9,715 yards, with 87 touchdowns and 37 interceptions.
A second-round draft pick by Miami, Henne finally earned the starting role in 2009 when Chad Pennington suffered a season-ending rotator cuff injury.
The starting job bounced around during the 2010 season, but it appears Henne may have earned another shot when/if the 2011 season begins.
During the lockout Henne has organized the unofficial practices and basically taken a leadership role.
Steve Hutchinson, Class '00, Minnesota Vikings, OG, No. 76
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A first-round draft choice by Seattle, Steve Hutchinson has certainly upheld his end of the bargain. Hutchinson has been selected to the Pro Bowl seven times in his 10-year NFL career. He played the first five years for the Seahawks (2001-2005), and the last five in Minnesota (2006-2010).
The big offensive guard was equally impressive at Michigan. He earned All-American honors twice, before winning the prestigious Jim Parker award, given annually to college football's top lineman.
Jake Long, Class '08, Miami Dolphins, OT, No. 77
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The first pick of the 2008 draft, Jake long would join Michigan teammate Chad Henne with the Miami Dolphins. In three seasons, Long has started all 48 games at left tackle, as well as being named All-Pro each season.
Long also had a pretty good career at Michigan. A three-time All-American, Long also won the Jim Parker award, emblematic of the nation's top offensive lineman.
Mario Manningham, Class '07, New York Giants, WR, No. 82
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Mario Manningham introduced himself to Michigan fans by catching the winning touchdown pass against previously undefeated Penn State. The talented freshman caught the 10-yard scoring strike from Chad Henne as time expired, giving Michigan the 27-25 win.
He solidified his reputation as a great wide receiver by catching three touchdown passes in Michigan's 47-21 victory over Notre Dame the following season.
Before foregoing his senior year, Manningham caught 72 passes as a junior, which included 12 touchdowns, in addition to All-American honors.
Chosen in the third round of the 2008 draft by the Giants, Manningham has caught 137 passes in his three-year professional career.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
