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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NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 29: Charles Woodson #24 of the Oakland Raiders plays against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on November 29, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 29: Charles Woodson #24 of the Oakland Raiders plays against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on November 29, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

2. Charles Woodson

The first and only defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy (1997) was the fourth overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft by the then-Oakland Raiders. Cornerback Charles Woodson was used in a variety of ways by the Michigan Wolverines during his days in Ann Arbor. His play-making ability proved to be an asset for both his stints with the Silver and Black, as well as his seven-year stay with the Green Bay Packers.

Woodson’s 65 interceptions is tied for the fifth-most in NFL history with 2023 Hall of Fame inductee Ken Riley. His 11 interception returns for touchdowns (9 of those with the Packers) are tied for the second-most in league annals behind fellow Hall of Famer Rod Woodson (12). Add in 18 fumble recoveries, two returned for scores and that’s a pretty grand total of 83 takeaways.

Charles Woodson played in Super Bowl XXXVII with the Raiders and won a title with the Packers in Super Bowl XLV. He spent his first eight seasons and final three campaigns with the Silver and Black. Interestingly enough, he wound up with more interceptions with Green Bay (38) than Oakland (27). Regardless, the nine-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro was an obvious first-ballot Hall of Famer.

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