Michigan Wolverines Football: 30 greatest players of all-time

Brian Griese had some scholarship offers after his high school career, including Purdue, where his Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback father Bob Griese went to school. However, he decided to walk on at Michigan. After all was said and done, Griese became one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the program.

Of course, no road for a walk-on is easy, as he had to get past Scott Driesbach twice before he became the full-time starter in Ann Arbor. Griese took over for Driesbach during the 1995 season after he was hurt five games in. He led the Wolverines to a huge upset victory over the arch rival Ohio State Buckeyes, who were ranked No. 2 in the country at the time.

In fact, Griese never lost to the Buckeyes, which is not something many players in the program’s history can say. In 1996, Griese was once again the backup to Driesbach, but was able to supplant him when he struggled and never looked back. As the full-time starter in 1997, Griese put a stamp of legacy on his Michigan career.

In that 1997 season, Griese helped lead the Wolverines to an undefeated season, as well as a share of the national title. The Most Valuable Player of the Rose Bowl, Griese would go on to be selected in the third round by the Denver Broncos. He would have a solid NFL career, winning a Super Bowl ring as a rookie in Denver backing up John Elway.