Michigan football: Assembling the all-time Lloyd Carr team

Michigan football all-time Lloyd Carr team, D-line: LaMarr Woodley, Glen Steele, Alan Branch, James Hall, Rob Renes

On the defensive side of the ball, we are going to push the numbers just a little bit. There will be five defensive linemen, four linebackers, and five guys in the secondary.

The offense got an extra position, so why not the defense? Especially when it’s so warranted. On the defensive line, some really good players are still left off this list such as Gabe Watson.

But Rob Renes was the top nose tackle for sure as a first-team All-American. Alan Branch was more of a defensive tackle than a nose. He still turned into a second-round pick, as well as being picked First-Team All-Big Ten and earning All-American honors.

Flat out, LaMarr Woodley was one of the best pass rushers Michigan football has ever had. He was an All-American and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2006. Woodley finished his career with 47 tackles for loss, 24 sacks, and 10 forced fumbles.

Glen Steele wasn’t Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. That’s the problem with being Charles Woodson’s teammate.

But he was a First-Team All-American and one of the best pass rushers in Michigan football history. He wound up with 24 career sacks — the same as Woodley and they are each tied for fourth all-time.

Speaking of sack artists, James Hall is actually third all-time in Michigan football history with 26.5 sacks. That pass rush in 1997 with Hall, Steele, and Renes on the interior was incredible.