The University of Michigan football team has a long long list of great running backs as pounding the rock has been a hallmark of the program for decades. Who makes the list of the best of the best?
The Five Greatest Michigan Running Backs Of All Time
Mike Hart
He of “Little Brother “ fame is the number-one ranked Michigan running back of all time. Hart began his Michigan career in 2004 by rushing for 1,455 yards, still a record for a freshman running back at Michigan.
Even with missing parts of two seasons, he still rushed for over 5,000 yards in his career, another Michigan record. He also has three first-team All-Big Ten selections, two Second-Team All-American honors, a fifth-place Heisman finish, and a Doak Walker finalist as part of his resume. His 41 rushing touchdowns place him third on the all-time list for backs to suit up for the Wolverines.
As mentioned previously, Hart is famous (infamous in East Lansing) for his “little brother” comments directed at rival Michigan State when discussing the Wolverines’ dominance over their in-state rivals.
Tom Harmon
Number two on our list of the best running backs of all time at the University of Michigan is “Old 98,” as Tom Harmon is affectionately known. Many of the younger generation who aren’t familiar with him were reminded when former quarterback Devin Gardner wore Hermon’s jersey number for his senior season.
We gave the edge to Hart for the number one spot because of his yardage and touchdowns but Harmon is a very close second. This guy did it all and was the first Heisman Trophy winner for the Maize and Blue.
Harmon wasn’t just a great running back. He also threw the ball, kicked field goals, and played defense. Also a member of the Michigan basketball team, his best year was 1940 when he added the Maxwell Award and AP Athlete of The Year to his trophy case to go along with his Heisman.
Blake Corum
Running back Blake Corum had a knack for finding the end zone a lot during his time in Ann Arbor. Despite his small stature, Corum proved to be a workhorse during his time in Ann Arbor, racking up 675 carries for 3,737 yards and a ridiculous 58 touchdowns.
Corum had a legitimate chance to win the 2022 Heisman Trophy before a late-season injury against Illinois sidelined him for the rest of the season. He did however accumulate a lengthy list of awards including a unanimous All-American selection in 2022, first-team All-American in 2023, Big Ten MVP in 2022, and most importantly, offensive MVP in the College Football Playoff National Championship game against Washington.
Corum also proved his desire and dedication by returning to Ann Arbor for his senior season due to unfinished business. He also guaranteed a national championship and delivered on his promise.
Billy Taylor
Considered the best of the first modern-era running backs in Michigan football history, Taylor patrolled the sidelines in Ann Arbor from 1969 to 1971. Taylor set a Michigan record for career rushing yards with 2,934. That record was later broken by Rob Lytle and currently stands at 10th.
Taylor is famous and revered for his late fourth-quarter touchdown to secure a 10-7 win versus Ohio State to cap off an undefeated regular season in 1971. He was also named the team MVP for that same season.
Rob Lytle
Lytle was the back who broke Billy Taylor’s all-time rushing record at Michigan as he amassed 3,202 career yards on the ground. Playing both tailback and fullback for the Wolverines (that doesn’t happen much anymore), Lytle was a consensus All-American and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting during his 1976 campaign.
Like Blake Corum many years after, Lytle also proved himself to be a workhorse in the Wolverines backfield as he carried the ball 526 times in just three seasons and finished his career with a 6.1 average yards per carry.
Honorable Mention
Tyrone Wheatley– Two-Time All-Big Ten selection with 47 career touchdowns
Anthony Thomas– The “A Train “ racked up 4,472 career rushing yards and had 18 touchdowns in his senior season
Tim Biakabutuka– Rushed for 1,818 yards in 1995. That’s a lot!
Denard Robinson– Yep. “Shoelace “ makes the list as a quarterback
Main Image: Melanie Maxwell / USA TODAY NETWORK
