Fansided

10 best Michigan alumni in NFL history

By Russell S. Baxter

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks to pass against the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks to pass against the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 4: Tackle Mike Kenn #78 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on from the line of scrimmage during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on November 4, 1990 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Falcons 21-9. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 4: Tackle Mike Kenn #78 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on from the line of scrimmage during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on November 4, 1990 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Falcons 21-9. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

The University of Michigan has certainly produced its share of stars in NFL history. There are numerous former Wolverines in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Michigan Wolverines have certainly made their mark in NFL annals. Like many other schools, it’s tough to whittle down decades of excellence to just 10 performers on the field.

Not to be forgotten is four-time All-Pro Benny Friedman. He played in the league’s early days before there was an NFL draft, but he was part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2005. There was massive blocker “Jumbo” Elliott, who toiled for 14 seasons with the Giants and Jets.

Of course, the university’s current head coach, Jim Harbaugh, had his moments as a quarterback for four different teams and helped lead the Indianapolis Colts within one victory of Super Bowl XXX in 1995.

This all adds up to one “Hail” of a list.

Here are the greatest University of Michigan alumni in NFL history:

10. Mike Kenn

It’s a name that has come up when it comes to omissions from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Sturdy tackle Mike Kenn was an imposing figure at 6’7’, 273. He was a lucky No. 13 overall pick in the 1978 NFL Draft for the Atlanta Falcons and reliable is an understatement. He would toil in the trenches for the same franchise for 17 seasons.

There would be a total of 251 games and starts. The Falcons would make only four playoff appearances during his tenure. Kenn was a rock at left tackle. In his third season in 1980, he would earn All-Pro honors for the first time and that began a streak of five straight Pro Bowl invitations. His second All-Pro nod came in 1991.

Kenn owns the Falcons’ record for most games played in franchise history.

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