The University of Michigan has one of the greatest football programs in all of college -- one with a winning tradition based on excellence. This comes from a long line of great coaches who recruit great players and mold them into even greater players.
As a result, it is not surprising that the University of Michigan would have an abundance of alumni playing in the NFL.
These are University of Michigan alumni currently on NFL rosters:
Adrian Arrington, WR, New Orleans Saints
Jason Avant, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
David Baas, C, New York Giants
Justin Boren, C, Baltimore Ravens
Alan Branch, DT, Seattle Seahawks
Steve Breaston, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Stevie Brown, FS, New York Giants
Braylon Edwards, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Jay Feely, K, Arizona Cardinals
Jonathan Goodwin, C, San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Graham, DE, Philadelphia Eagles
Leon Hall, CB, Cincinnati Bengals
David Harris, LB, New York Jets
Junior Hemingway, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Chad Henne, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Steve Hutchinson, G, Tennessee Titans
Tim Jamison, DE, Houston Texans
Jake Long, T, Miami Dolphins
Ryan Mallet, QB, New England Patriots
Mario Manningham, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Mike Martin, DE, Tennessee Titans
Zoltan Mesko, P, New England Patriots
David Molk, C, San Diego Chargers
Jonas Mouton, LB, San Diego Chargers
Ryan Mundy, FS, Pittsburgh Steelers
Stephen Shilling, G, San Diego Chargers
Ryan Van Bergen, DE, Carolina Panthers
Martell Webb, TE, Arizona Cardinals
LaMarr, Woodley, LB Pittsburgh Steelers
Top Three Michigan Alumni in the NFL:
Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots - Tom Brady served as a backup quarterback on Michigan's 1997 national championship team. After starting his final two seasons at Michigan, the New England Patriots drafted him in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. After serving as a backup his first year, he finally became the Patriots starter in 2001 due to an injury to starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Since then, Brady has become one of the best and most highly regarded players in the NFL, leading the Patriots to five Super Bowls, winning three.
Larry Foote, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers - Larry Foote was a standout linebacker at the University of Michigan before being drafted in the fourth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Foote has played his entire career with Pittsburgh, except for the 2009 season when he played in Detroit. While with the Steelers, Foote has been a core member of some very good defenses and has won two Super Bowls.
Charles Woodson, SS, Green Bay Packers - Charles Woodson was a key member of the Michigan defense during the Wolverines' 1997 national championship. After playing at the University of Michigan, the Oakland Raiders selected Woodson with the fourth overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. As a member of the Oakland Raiders, Woodson played in a Super Bowl loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2006, Woodson signed with the Green bay Packers; he has been a standout and leader on their defense. In 2011, Woodson broke his collarbone in the Super Bowl victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Originally drafted as a cornerback, Woodson has moved to strong safety for the 2012 season.
*Anthony Witherell has been a lifelong fan of Michigan Wolverine football and attended many youth football camps at the university growing up.
Follow me on Twitter @AnthonyWitherel.
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