Michigan football: Assembling the all-time Lloyd Carr team

Michigan football all-time Lloyd Carr team, Linebackers: Jarrett Irons, David Harris, Larry Foote, Shawn Crable

This was another tough choice, even narrowing it down to four. It’s incredibly tough to leave someone like Ian Gold off the list. Even tougher to not include Sam Sword.

Sword was the leading tackler for the 1997 national championship team and a former All-Big Ten selection. Yet, you have to be an All-American to make this list as Jarrett Irons, David Harris, Larry Foote, and Shawn Crabe all were.

Irons and Harris essentially both played two seasons. Harris did so because of injury and still earned All-American honors with 88 solo tackles in 2006. The first part of Irons’ career didn’t happen under Carr. However, he put together All-American seasons in 1995 and 1996. He also had a 16-tackle performance (3 TFL) in the upset of No. 2 Ohio State at the Shoe in 1996.

Irons was one of the most productive players in Michigan football history, ranking second-all-time for the Wolverines in tackles, so it made sense to include him.

Foote was also exceptional and won Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2001. He was also a two-time First-Team All-Big Ten pick, as well as an All-American. There were some heavy hitters that didn’t make the cut and you can see why.

Crable is also included because Michigan football did run a 3-4 defense for some of the Carr era. He was a dynamic coverage/blitzing linebacker and was a true hybrid defender.