Michigan Wolverines Football: 30 greatest players of all-time

During his time at Michigan, David Baas became one of the better interior defensive linemen in the history of the program. Starting his career as the team’s left guard, Baas made the move to the center position as a senior. By 2004, Baas was one of the best players in the country at his new position.

A product of Riverview High School in Sarasota, Florida, where he was a USA Today All-USA selection, Baas was a three-time All-Big Ten selection at Michigan. As a senior, he was regarded as the top center in the country. This is pretty impressive considering he had been the team’s left guard for all of his collegiate career up until that point.

A consensus All-American, Baas was named a co-winner of the Rimington Trophy, which is given to the best center in the nation. He also won the Hugh H. Rader Award, which is given to Michigan’s best offensive lineman.

A finalist for the Outland Trophy as a senior, Baas would go to be selected at the top of the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft, as the San Francisco 49ers made him the No. 33 overall pick. He had a very good NFL career, capped off by a win in Super Bowl XLVI as a member of the New York Giants.

The Wolverines program has had many incredible linemen over the years, but few have been as versatile as Baas. To be able to move over to center, and become one of the best in the country is quite an impressive feat. Baas will go down as one of the best to ever play the position in school history.