Michigan Wolverines Football: 30 greatest players of all-time

Dan Dierdorf was born in Canton Ohio. By the time his playing days were over, he was back in Canton, being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his outstanding career with the then-St. Louis Cardinals.

One of the better all-around offensive linemen in football history, Dierdorf began his trek to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Michigan Wolverines, where he dominated during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Dierdorf began his college career playing right tackle on the all-freshman team at Michigan, before being a major part of the 1968 squad. That team went 8-2 in Bump Elliott’s final season as head coach. Bo Schembechler took over for Elliott in 1969, inheriting a team that would go on to upset No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.

During the 1969 and 1970 college football season, Dierdorf was a First-Team All-Big Ten selection, as well as an All-American in 1970. A member of Michigan’s Hall of Honor, Dierdorf would go on to be a second-round selection of the Cardinals, where he played his entire NFL career.

A six-time Pro Bowler, Dierdorf is a member of the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 1970s. Not only is he a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but also the College Football Hall of Fame. Based on his productivity at both tackle positions, Dierdorf is one of the best offensive tackles in Michigan history. He rightfully earned his spot on our list of the top-30 players in school history.