Best position duos for Michigan Football over the last 20 years

Michigan football has the best defensive line duo in the nation coming into the 2024 season. Let's take a look at the best duo's over the last 20 years at Michigan.

2024 CFP National Championship - Michigan v Washington
2024 CFP National Championship - Michigan v Washington / Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

This list does not count Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant just because both of them are still active. They will most definitely earn their spot on this list in the coming years. However, this list will not include Michigan football duos that are BOTH still playing.

5. Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington

Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington were key pieces to some prolific Michigan football offenses. Manningham totaled 137 catches, 2,310 yards, and 27 touchdowns in three years. Arrington totaled 109 catches, 1,438 yards, and 16 touchdowns during three seasons in the maize and blue.

These two had a knack for making the big play at the right time which added to their greatness for Michigan football.

4. Lamar Woodley and Alan Branch

Lamar Woodley won Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2006. He was an absolute monster in every sense of the word. He led one of the best defenses in the history of Michigan football during the 2006 season.

Alan Branch was a beast up the middle and is responsible for one of the most iconic Michigan football photos of all time when he left Penn State quarterback, Anthony Morelli, flattened like he was a cartoon character in Looney Tunes.

3 Jourdan Lewis and David Long.

Jourdan Lewis was the best cornerback of the Harbaugh era. He was one of the leaders on the 2016 defense that was one of the best in the nation. He also has one of the most memorable interceptions in the history of Michigan football.

When the game was on the line, he came up with a one-handed snag against Wisconsin that was nothing short of spectacular. David Long was one of the more underrated Michigan football players over the last twenty years. He totaled three interceptions throughout his career but proved to be a lockdown corner opposite of Lewis. Long went on to have a tremendous NFL career.

2. Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards

The Blake Corum stats, records, and accolades list is so long that a small paragraph won't even do it justice. Blake Corum ends his career as the most decorated running back in Michigan football history. He was one of the main pieces to the resurgence of Michigan Football being back on top and he did so by being a leader on and off the field.

Donovan Edwards was the perfect compliment back to Corum as they donned themselves "Thunder and Lightning". Donovan Edward's 2022 performance against Ohio State is one that will forever live in Michigan football lore. Donovan will be back next year but this duo over the last couple of years was special.

1. Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo.

Aidan Hutchinson may have been the most important piece of bringing back Michigan football. Hutchinson was a big recruit who had a solid start to his career. After getting hurt, he could have declared for the NFL draft.

However, he decided to come back to Ann Arbor determined to beat Ohio State and win the Big Ten. He accomplished both of those things and wound up finishing second place in Heisman voting.

feed

Ojabo countered Hutchinson on the other edge with speed rarely seen from an edge player. In 2021, they combined for 25 sacks and made opposing quarterback's lives' miserable for four quarters each game.