What Charles Woodson means to Michigan Football

Arguably the most gifted athlete to ever step foot on campus in Ann Arbor is now taking his rightful place in the hallowed halls of the pro football hall of fame forever.

26 years ago in 1995, Charles Woodson embarked on his journey to fulfill his destiny to become a Michigan Wolverine.

Little did anyone know that it would be the beginning of one of the most incomparable expeditions of anyone who has been lucky enough to dawn the prestigious winged helmet of the maize and blue as a Michigan football player.

At Ross high school in Fremont, Ohio Woodson caught the attention of the Michigan coaching staff by setting school records as a running back and being named as a consensus All-American across the country.

However, Michigan football didn’t recruit him as a running back but as a defensive back. It turned out to be one of the smartest decisions ever made by Lloyd Carr and his staff.

From the moment that Ohio’s Mr. Football arrived in camp, he was so skilled as a true freshman that it didn’t take long for the coaches to recognize him in practice.

Woodson ended up starting in just his second game at Michigan, which was a win at Illinois. Woodson went on to become the Big Ten freshman of the year and the secret was out.

In 1996 Woodson became a collegiate All-American and a household name. He upped his game to the next level as a sophomore, but the team sputtered to a second consecutive four-loss season.

It left Woodson and his teammates wanting more leading into what would become one of the most unparalleled seasons in the annals of Michigan football.

Then in 1997 everything changed for the better in a genuine once-in-a-lifetime season.

Woodson was selected with the highest honor that any college player can ever earn. He became the first primarily defensive player, while simultaneously playing offense as well, to ever win the Heisman trophy and brought an undefeated season and national championship to Michigan. He was also awarded the Bronco Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s top defensive player.

All of these accolades, along with the countless unforgettable plays he made against rivals and others, have made him a Michigan football legend that will be remembered for eternity.

He was a generational talent that hasn’t been duplicated since and may never be again. Woodson is loved by everyone who has anything to do with Michigan and is a humble human being to go along with it.

Charles Woodson is one of my sports idols. I was privileged enough to watch his career from college to the pros and he will always hold a special place in my heart for what he accomplished at Michigan and beyond. Words and actions may never be able to describe what he means to Michigan football for as long as it exists.