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10 biggest Michigan football NFL Draft busts of all time

By Chris Peterson

1 Jan 2001: David Terrell #1 of the Michigan Wolverines moves with the ball during the Citrus Bowl Game against the Auburn Tigers at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The Wolverines defeated the Tiger 31-28.Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport
1 Jan 2001: David Terrell #1 of the Michigan Wolverines moves with the ball during the Citrus Bowl Game against the Auburn Tigers at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The Wolverines defeated the Tiger 31-28.Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport /
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Michigan football has had over 400 players get selected in the NFL draft. Here are the 10 biggest draft busts of all time for the Wolverines. 

There’s no doubt that Michigan football is one of the most storied programs in college football. The Wolverines have won more games than any other team and when it comes to the NFL draft, there are few equals.

Michigan football has had 412 players drafted into the NFL. However, not all of them have been successful.

Former Michigan football quarterback Tom Brady is recognized as the greatest player in NFL history, but there have been plenty of busts along the way.

This post is going to highlight the 10 biggest NFL draft busts of all time for Michigan football. Yet, before we reveal No. 10, let’s talk for a second about some of the guys that just missed the cut.

Michigan football players who were nearly busts in the NFL

Desmond Howard and Jim Harbaugh were considered. Howard was drafted No. 4 overall by Washington after winning the Heisman Trophy and he might be considered a bust from a Commanders (then known by another name) perspective.

Howard started just 29 games in his NFL career. Yet, he earned a pro bowl selection with Detroit and was also the Super Bowl MVP for the Packers during the 1996 season.

Jim Harbaugh also didn’t have the NFL career that maybe some thought he would when he was selected in the first round by the Chicago Bears. Yet, Harbaugh led the NFL in passer rating in 1995 and threw 129 career touchdowns

Harbaugh played for over a decade in the NFL and that’s more than enough to avoid being called an NFL draft bust. Plus, he was a Hail Mary away from getting the Colts to the Super Bowl.

These 10 Michigan football players never lived up to their potential in the NFL

10 – Tom Harmon (No. 1 overall in 1941 by Chicago)

Before the modern era of the NFL draft, Tom Harmon was the first Michigan football player selected No. 1 overall by the Chicago Bears.

Yet, Harmon never played a down of football for the Bears. The former Heisman Trophy winner was more focused on other pursuits and also joined the war effort.

Eventually, he did play two seasons in the NFL with the Rams, but that’s not what you expect with the No. 1 overall pick although things were much different back then.

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