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Michigan Wolverines Football: 30 greatest players of all-time

By Brad Weiss

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 11: Fans cheer during a game between the Michigan Wolverines and Penn State Nittany Lions on October 11, 2014 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 11: Fans cheer during a game between the Michigan Wolverines and Penn State Nittany Lions on October 11, 2014 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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7 Nov 1992: MICHIGAN RUNNING TYRONE WHEATLEY BACK LEAPS OVER THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE DURING THE WOLVERINES GAME AT THE NORTHWESTERN WILCATS IN EVANSTON, ILLINOIS.
7 Nov 1992: MICHIGAN RUNNING TYRONE WHEATLEY BACK LEAPS OVER THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE DURING THE WOLVERINES GAME AT THE NORTHWESTERN WILCATS IN EVANSTON, ILLINOIS. /

During his time at Michigan, Tyrone Wheatley was the kind of athlete that college coaches dream about. Not only was he incredibly fast, but he could literally run over the opposition. By the time he left Ann Arbor, he was one of the more decorated offensive players the Wolverines program had ever seen.

A native of Inkster, Michigan, Wheatley decided to stay home for his college days. Boy, are Wolverines fans happy that he did. A three-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection, Wheatley finished his career third in points scored and second in touchdowns, while leading the team to  two Big Ten titles.

An All-American track star at Michigan as well, Wheatley was named the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Year during the 1992 season, where he rushed for over 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns. In 1993, Wheatley finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy balloting. Three times he went over 1,000 yards rushing in a season during his tenure in Maize and Blue.

After his career with Michigan was over, the New York Giants made him the No. 17 overall selection in the 1995 NFL Draft. He had some solid seasons in the NFL, especially in 1999 and 2000 with the Oakland Raiders, where he rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns. He is currently the Jacksonville Jaguars running backs coach.

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