Ranking the 16 greatest Michigan players of all time, from Charles Woodson to Jim Harbaugh

Jim Harbaugh made an impact at Michigan as both a player and a head coach. 

The Harbaugh era also altered the list when it comes to the greatest Michigan Wolverines of all time. Four players who played under Harbaugh — Jabrill Peppers, Aidan Hutchinson, J.J. McCarthy and Blake Corum — are all on that list, now. Harbaugh, of course, also made the list as a revered quarterback under Bo Schembechler.

Michigan's list is loaded — program icons such as Willie Heston, LaMarr Woodley, Chad Henne and Denard Robinson did not make the list. Of course, three Heisman Trophy winners — Tom Harmon, Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson — need to be sorted out, too. It's a loaded list that leans heavy on players from the Schembechler era, too. 

We landed on 16 Michigan players who stood out above the rest. Here was the formula Sporting News used to determine the top players for each school: 

• Heisman Trophy winner: 10 points
• Heisman top-five finish: 2nd place (4 points), 3rd place (3 points), 4th place (2 points), 5th place (1 point) 
• Major awards (3 points): Maxwell, Walter Camp, Doak Walker, Davey O'Brien, Unitas, Biletnikoff, Mackey, Outland, Lombardi, Rimington, Outland, Bednarik, Nagurski, Butkus, Thorpe, Groza, Guy, Hendricks, Campbell, Lott, Hornung, Wuerffel, Manning
• Consensus All-American: 3 points
• Legacy (15-1 points, AP Poll style with first place receiving 15 points): A subjective ranking of those players' standing in school history. 
• Stats (15-1 points, AP Poll style): A subjective look at a player's statistics by era. Are they a school record-holder? 

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16. Dan Dierdorf, T (1967-70) 

Michigan accolades: Consensus All-American (1970) 

Why he made SN's list: Dan Dierdorf was the first dominant offensive lineman under Bo Schembechler at Michigan. Dierdorf's dominance in the 1969 upset against Ohio State helped usher in the Ten-Year War with the Buckeyes. Dierdorf went on to be a six-time Pro Bowl selection in the NFL as well. 

Place in Wolverines' history: Dierdorf was a mainstay on Michigan football radio broadcasts from 2014-21, and he was the standard at the tackle position which has since produced a laundry list of NFL tackles including Jon Jansen, Jumbo Elliott and Jake Long, to name a few. Dierdorf remains the most-recognizable offensive lineman in program history. 

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15. Rick Leach, QB (1975-78)  

Michigan accolades: Heisman Trophy third place (1978)

Why he made SN's list: Rick Leach was a four-year starter at Michigan, and he finished with 3,799 yards, 45 TDs and 29 interceptions. He led the Wolverines to three straight victories against Ohio State and three straight Rose Bowl appearances during that stretch — and that made him the standard at the position. 

Place in Wolverines' history: Leach — an Ann Arbor native — is still revered by the fan-base. He was a two-sport star that played 10 seasons in Major League Baseball. Leach had 16 passing TDs and 12 rushing TDs as a senior in 1978 — numbers that were uncommon at the time. He threw two TDs in a 14-3 victory against Ohio State at Ohio Stadium in his final regular-season game. 

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14. Jabrill Peppers, S (2014-16) 

Michigan accolades: Heisman Trophy fifth place (2016), Lott Trophy (2016), Hornung Award (2016), Consensus All-American (2016) 

Why he made SN's list: Jabrill Peppers — a five-star recruit — was one of the most-exciting players of the early Harbaugh era at Michigan. He played several different positions, including defensive back and linebacker on defense, Wildcat quarterback and return man. He helped Michigan to 10-win seasons in 2015 and 2016. 

Place in Wolverines' history: Peppers gets lost in the shuffle a little bit considering his talent. He had 72 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 310 rushing yards and 570 return yards in 2016 — a remarkable season that made him a Heisman Trophy finalist. He had an interception in the 30-27 loss to Ohio State in the regular-season finale — one still remembered for "The Spot." 

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13. Bob Chappuis, QB/HB (1942, 1946-47) 

Michigan accolades: Heisman Trophy second place (1947),  Consensus All-American (1947) 

Why he made SN's list: Bob Chappuis' career was delayed when he left Michigan to serve in the Air Force in World War II. But he returned to play on two of Michigan's most-exciting teams in 1946 and 1947, and he was the star halfback on the 1947 team, which finished 10-0 under Fritz Crisler. 

Place in Wolverines' history: Chappius was the conductor for Michigan's fabled "Mad Magicians" offense, which averaged 34.5 points per game. He closed his career with two TD passes in a 49-0 victory against USC in the 1948 Rose Bowl. 

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12. Jim Harbaugh, QB (1983-86) 

Michigan accolades: Heisman Trophy third place (1986)  

Why he made SN's list: Jim Harbaugh finished 21-3-1 as the starter over a two-year period with the Wolverines, and Michigan swept rivals Michigan State and Ohio State in the 1985 and 1986 seasons. Harbaugh finished with 5,214 passing yards, 31 TDs and 19 interceptions. 

Place in Wolverines' history: If not for injuries, then Harbaugh would be ranked higher as a player. Harbaugh's legend started when he guaranteed a victory at Ohio State before the 1986 matchup and then led the Wolverines to a 26-24 victory and a trip to the Rose Bowl. He later returned to Michigan as the head coach and led the Wolverines to the 2023 national championship. 

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11. Ron Kramer, TE (1954-56) 

Michigan accolades: Consensus All-American (1955, 1956) 

Why he made SN's list: Ron Kramer played end for the Wolverines from 1954-56, and he thrived as a pass-catcher with 880 yards and six TDs with coach Bennie Oosterbaan. Kramer averaged 19.6 yards per catch and went on to be a two-time NFL champion with the Green Bay Packers in the NFL. 

Place in Wolverines' history: Michigan retired Kramer's jersey — and he closed his college career with a 19-0 victory against Ohio State on Nov. 24, 1956. The Wolverines have a proud tradition at tight end that continued in 2025 with first-round pick Colston Loveland. Kramer is at the root of that tradition.  

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10. Braylon Edwards, WR (2001-04)

Michigan accolades: Biletnikoff Award (2004), Consensus All-American (2004) 

Why he made SN's list: Once Braylon Edwards put on the No. 1 jersey, he was one of the game's most-brilliant receivers. Edwards holds career receiving records for receptions (252), receiving yards (3,541) and TDs (39), and he put together his best season as a senior with 97 catches for 1,330 yards and 15 TDs. 

Place in Wolverines' history: Edwards sealed his place in Michigan lore with 11 catches for 189 yards and three TDs in a 45-37 victory against Michigan State on Oct. 30, 2004 — a game where he caught all three TDs after the Wolverines trailed 27-10 with 8:43 remaining in the game. He was taken with the No. 3 pick in the 2005 NFL Draft — the last Michigan receiver to be taken in the first round. 

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9. Mike Hart, RB (2004-07) 

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Michigan accolades: Heisman Trophy fifth place (2006) 

Why he made SN's list: Mike Hart — a four-year starter at running back who played at 5-foot-9 and 206 pounds  — holds Michigan's all-time rushing record with 5,040 rushing yards. He played on two Big Ten championship teams and had three seasons with 1,000 yards or more. He teamed with quarterback Chad Henne to form one of the best backfields of the Lloyd Carr era. 

Place in Wolverines' history: Hart also ignited the Michigan State rivalry with the "Little Brother" comparison after a 28-24 victory on Nov. 3, 2007. Hart later returned to Michigan as a running backs coach and helped the Wolverines to a national championship in 2023. 

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8. Bennie Oosterbaan, End (1925-28) 

Michigan accolades: Consensus All-American (1925, 1926, 1927) 

Why he made SN's list: Bennie Oosterbaan was a three-time All-American for Michigan teams that compiled a 20-4 record under Fielding Yost during that stretch. He is the only three-time All-American in program history. Oosterbaan wasn't just a football player, though. He led the Big Ten in TDs in 1925 in football then led the conference in scoring in basketball in 1928. Oosterbaan was also a star on the baseball team. 

Place in Wolverines' history: In terms of legacy, Oosterbaan is a combination of Leach and Harbaugh, of sorts. He went on to be the head coach for Michigan, where he compiled a 63-33-4 record from 1948-58. He led the Wolverines to the national championship in 1948. 

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7. Blake Corum, RB (2020-23) 

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Michigan accolades: Consensus All-American (2022) 

Why he made SN's list: Blake Corum — a 5-foot-8, 200-pound running back — finished in the top-10 in the Heisman Trophy voting twice as the lead back for Jim Harbaugh's Big Ten championship teams from 2021-23. Corum rushed for 3,737 yards and 58 TDs for the Wolverines, and he helped Michigan win the CFP championship with a perfect 15-0 record in 2023. 

Place in Wolverines' history: It wasn't just the TDs. It was their timing. He scored on unforgettable runs against Penn State, Ohio State and Alabama during his senior season, which secured his place as an all-time Michigan fan favorite. 

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6. JJ McCarthy, QB (2021-23) 

Michigan accolades: CFP national champion (2023), Rose Bowl MVP (2024)

Why he made SN's list: JJ McCarthy — who was a highly-coveted five-star recruit — split time with Cade McNamara as a freshman before guiding the Wolverines to back-to-back CFP appearances and a national championship in 2023. He had 49 TDs and 11 interceptions and had a 72.3% completion percentage in 2023. 

Place in Wolverines' history: More importantly, McCarthy had a 27-1 record as a starter, and that earned the approval of Jim Harbaugh during that national championship run. He averaged 205.5 passing yards with four TDs and no interceptions in two starts against Ohio State. The Minnesota Vikings selected McCarthy with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

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5. Anthony Carter, WR (1979-82) 

Michigan accolades: Heisman Trophy fourth place (1982), Consensus All-American (1981, 1982) 

Why he made SN's list: Anthony Carter — who started the tradition of Michigan's best receiver wearing No. 1 — is one of the most-exciting players in Michigan history. He finished with 3,076 receiving yards and 37 TDs on 19.1 yards per catch — and he was also valuable in the return game with 25.8 yards per kickoff return and a pair of punt return TDs. 

Place in Wolverines' history: Carter solidified his place in Michigan as a freshman with a 45-yard TD catch and run with six seconds left against Indiana on Oct. 27, 1979 that gave the Wolverines a 27-21 victory on Homecoming. It remains one of the most memorable plays in Michigan history — especially with Bob Ufer's call.  

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4. Aidan Hutchinson, DE (2018-21) 

Michigan accolades: Heisman Trophy second place (2021), Lombardi Award (2021), Ted Hendricks Award (2021), Lott Trophy (2021). 

Why he made SN's list: Aidan Hutchinson's relentless play helped lead a Michigan turn-around in the 2021 season. Hutchinson set a school record with 14 sacks that season as part of a defense that carried the Wolverines to a Big Ten championship and the school's first College Football Playoff appearance.

Place in Wolverines' history: Hutchinson made his mark against Penn State and Ohio State in that 2021 season. He had three sacks in both games — and he finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up behind Alabama's Bryce Young. Hutchinson continues to be a home-town favorite with the Detroit Lions in the NFL. 

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3. Tom Harmon, RB (1938-40) 

Michigan accolades: Heisman Trophy winner (1940), Heisman Trophy second place (1939), Consensus All-American (1939, 1940), Maxwell Award (1940) 

Why he made SN's list: Tom Harmon was among the biggest superstars in college football history for his exploits with Michigan. He rushed for 2,134 yards and 31 TDs over a two-year period in which the Wolverines compiled a 13-3 record under Fritz Crisler. Harmon was one of the best all-around players in the game. 

Place in Wolverines' history: Remember when Devin Gardner wore No. 98 while playing quarterback at Michigan? That was a tribute to Harmon, who led Michigan to a 40-0 victory against Ohio State in the regular-season finale and earned a standing ovation from the crowd of Ohio Stadium — something that would be unfathomable today. 

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2. Desmond Howard, WR (1989-91) 

Michigan accolades: Heisman Trophy winner (1991), Maxwell Award (1991), Walter Camp Award (1991), Consensus All-American (1991) 

Why he made SN's list: Desmond Howard had 950 receiving yards and 19 TDs on 15.6 yards per catch as a junior with Michigan — when he emerged as a flashy playmaker at receiver and in the return game. He made a diving catch for a TD that clinched a 24-14 victory against Notre Dame on Sept. 14 1991, and the highlights never stopped that season. 

Place in Wolverines' history: All you have to do is strike a "Heisman pose." Howard's legendary pose after a 93-yard punt return for a TD against Ohio State in a 31-0 victory on Nov. 23, 1991. Howard remains a presence in the game with ESPN's "College GameDay."  

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1. Charles Woodson, CB (1995-97) 

Michigan accolades: Heisman Trophy winner (1997), Walter Camp Award (1997), Bronko Nagurski Award (1997), Bednarik Award (1997), Thorpe Award (1997), Consensus All-American (1997) 

Why he made SN's list: Charles Woodson was the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy — a feat two-way star Travis Hunter matched in 2024. Woodson led the nation with seven interceptions in 1997, but he also had 11 catches for 231 yards and two TDs. He had 33 punt returns for 283 yards. 

Place in Wolverines' history: Woodson led the Wolverines to a national championship in 1997 — and he played his best in the big games. Woodson had a 78-yard punt return for a TD, an interception in the end zone and caught a 37-yard pass to set up a TD in the 20-14 victory against Ohio State on Nov. 22, 1997. He had two interceptions in the 1995 game. He had the "it" factor — and that carried over into a NFL career with the Raiders and Packers. 

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