Michigan Wolverines Football: 30 greatest players of all-time

While this is a list of the best football players to ever play at Michigan, our No. 10 player may be one of the best athletes in the history of college sports. During his time in Ann Arbor, Ron Kramer won nine varsity letters and would go on to be drafted by two professional sports leagues.

Kramer earned his letters at Michigan in football, basketball and track, but he lands on our list because he was a two-time All-American end for the Wolverines football program. A star for the team from 1954 to 1956, Kramer played so well during his time at Michigan that the program retired his No. 87 jersey. He has been enshrined in the Michigan Hall of Honor.

Not only was Kramer the Wolverines’ end on both sides of the ball, but he also handled the kicking and punting duties for the team. When his time at Michigan was up, the Green Bay Packers made him the fourth overall selection in the 1957 NFL Draft. He had an incredible impact on the premier NFL franchise of that era.

In addition, Kramer was also drafted in the fifth round of the 1957 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, but decided it was best to play football professionally. It was a wise choice, as he became a legendary player for the Packers.

A member of the Packers Hall of Fame, Kramer was also a member of the NFL’s 50th Anniversary Team, a two-time NFL Champion and made his only trip to the Pro Bowl in 1962.