Michigan Wolverines Football: 30 greatest players of all-time

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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Larry Foote, Michigan Wolverines
Mandatory Credit: Tom Pidgeon /Allsport /

A stud linebacker during his time at Michigan, Larry Foote was the anchor of the Wolverines defense in the late 1990s and early 2000s. A product of Pershing High School in Detroit, Foote decided to play his college ball in-state. He became one of the hardest-hitting players in school history.

A two-time All-Big Ten selection, Foote ended his Michigan career on a high note, being named a consensus All-American. During that season, Foote set a school record by recording seven tackles for a loss against the Iowa Hawkeyes, a mark that stood for 16 years. He was awarded at the end of the season with the Roger Zatkoff Award, which is given to Michigan’s best linebacker.

Foote was also named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. The Pittsburgh Steelers made him their fourth-round pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. The linebacker was the 128th player chosen that season. Like he did at Michigan, he became a linchpin on the Steelers defense, helping them to win two Super Bowls.

The former Wolverine still is involved in the game of football, as he is currently the linebacker coach for the Arizona Cardinals. Foote had a tremendous NFL career, even playing for his hometown Detroit Lions. However, his work at the University of Michigan is what lands him on our list at No. 26.