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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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 26: Desmond Howard #81 of the Green Bay Packers returns a kickoff against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XXXI January 26, 1997 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana . The Packers won the game 35-21. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 26: Desmond Howard #81 of the Green Bay Packers returns a kickoff against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XXXI January 26, 1997 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana . The Packers won the game 35-21. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

8. Desmond Howard

Washington was the defending Super Bowl champion (XXVI) and slated to pick last in the first round of the 1992 NFL Draft. However, the team moved all the way up to the fourth overall spot and grabbed 1991 Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard.

Howard’s four-year stay with the club was a disappointment. Washington left him exposed to the expansion draft that year and he was chosen by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He caught 26 passes, one for a score.

He wound up with the Green Bay Packers in 1996 and it proved to be a magical season. There were just 13 catches for 95 yards and zero touchdowns. However, he led the NFL in punt returns (58) and yardage (875) and scored three times. Howard was amazing in the postseason. He took back a punt 71 yards for a score against the 49ers in the divisional round.

It was Super Bowl XXXI against the Patriots which saw him earn game MVP honors. On a combined 10 attempts, he totaled 244 yards on punt (90) and kickoff returns (154). All told, 99 of those latter yards came on a touchdown late in the third quarter that gave Green Bay an insurance score in their 35-21 win.

There would be stints with the Raiders and Lions as well. Howard didn’t wind up being a top wideout, but his prowess on special teams was something to marvel at.

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