Top synonymous jersey numbers in Michigan Football program history

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Yesterday ESPN posted a story that is sure to stir up engagement, as it is arguably the most subjective article of all time. They chose who they believe to be the greatest college football player with each jersey number of all time. Michigan was well-represented in the honorable mention category, but only one player was selected for their jersey number.

Without looking, any guesses?

My brain went to Charles Woodson’s No. 2, Jake Long’s No. 77 and Desmond Howard’s No. 21. All those would prove to be wrong, according to ESPN. The only Wolverine to earn the distinction of being the best player with his number would be Old 98 himself, Tom Harmon.

Let’s discuss some of ESPN’s selections and see which one is the most egregious.

Woodson was usurped by Deion Sanders for the No. 2 jersey. Both were two-time consensus All-Americans and excellent players. However, Woodson won the Heisman, the Thorpe, and a national title. Sanders did none of the above. This stands out as a particularly abhorrent selection by ESPN.

While Howard didn’t get selected for No. 21, it’s hard to be upset with this one. Michigan natives should be familiar with Howard’s ouster, as Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders was given the nod. Sanders’ name covers the NCAA record book even now, 40 years after he played in Stillwater.

A handful of players from ages past appear in the honorable mentions as well. Army’s Glenn Davis was chosen over Michigan’s Rob Lytle for No. 41, Buffalo’s Khalil Mack was selected ahead of Harry Newman for No. 46, and Miami’s Michael Irvin was picked for No. 47 ahead of Bennie Oosterbaan. Comparing players across eras always proves to be next to impossible.

Continuing the theme, North Carolina’s Julius Peppers got the nod for No. 49 over Bob Chappuis, Texas’s Tommy Nobis got No. 60 ahead of Mark Messner, and Chad Hennings of Air Force was chosen for No. 87 ahead of Ron Kramer.

A handful of more recent Wolverines also appeared in the honorable mentions but were not selected to represent their jersey number. LaMarr Woodley (No. 56), Steve Hutchinson (No. 76) and Jake Long (No. 77) were picked over by Virginia Tech’s Corey Moore, Miami’s Warren Sapp and Illinois’s Red Grange, respectively. It’s hard to argue with Sapp or Grange, but Moore over Woodley does seem a bit dubious.

This brings us to Michigan’s lone winner. Harmon’s accolades go well beyond the Heisman, as he also won the Maxwell Award, AP Athlete of the Year, Big Ten MVP, and is in the College Football Hall of Fame. He beat out Lawrence Taylor (North Carolina), John Henderson (Tennessee), Grant Wistrom (Nebraska) and every other college football player to ever wear No. 98.

Now this was purely a subjective list put together by ESPN. As Michigan fans, certain numbers are synonymous with certain players. The first few that came to my mind beyond what was listed above are Anthony Carter’s No. 1, Jim Harbaugh’s No. 4 and Denard Robinson’s No. 16.

So what jersey number in Michigan football history do you most associate with only one player? Is it Charles Woodson’s No. 2? Could it be Jake Long’s No. 77? Do you agree with ESPN that it’s Tom Harmon’s No. 98?

For me, the answer is Woodson’s No. 2, but I’m curious to hear your thoughts. Let us know what you think down in the comments section below.

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