There's no debating that the greatest to ever grace the gridiron is a Michigan graduate, but what about today's gladiators that dawned the maize and blue? There are plenty of them scattered througout the league working towards the distinction to be voted in as a hall of famer someday like Tom Brady will be.
The list includes a load of first-rounders, all the way to undrafted free agents. Although he is retired, Jake Long and the deceased Tom Harmon are the only two Wolverines who have ever been drafted in the coveted number one slot, dating all the way back to when the draft first existed.
Best Michigan football players in the NFL today
The most well-known face of the bunch nowadays tends to be Aidan Hutchinson on and off the field. He was the highest defensive player ever drafted, including over the iconic Charles Woodson in Michigan history, and is the one who manifested his success starting in 2021. He has helped change the fortunes of a constant loser into a Super Bowl contender. Hutchinson burst onto the scene as a rookie and is striving to get back to the level he set for himself following his injury.
Rashan Gary has also blossomed into the player that he was destined to become at Michigan. He got payed like it too by the Packers. Jabrill Peppers has bounced around a bit and dealt with legal troubles, but seems to have found a home in New England.
On offense, the obvious answer is Nico Collins. He has turned into the threat that Jim Harbaugh envisioned him to be when as a Michigan football player. Two straight 1,000-yard seasons with seven or more touchdowns and a little help from a Buckeye to top it off.
Ben Bredeson has become a productive starter in Tampa Bay and has pitched in to the winning culture that they have experienced recently. Michael Onwenu and Jon Runyan are other lineman who have carved out starting roles in their perspective journeys.
Mikey Sainristil probably had the best rookie year of the decorated 2024 class. He didn't win the Super Bowl like Trevor Keegan did, but made plays reminiscent of his Michigan football days. Jake Moody is still adjusting to the nuances of the game as Michigan's most vaunted kicker, while Dominic Zvada may be in the process of rewriting that story, though.
Then there's the man who made this all a reality in Los Angeles. Jim Harbaugh and his coaching tree that is growing rapidly. As for a name that didn't learn from Harbaugh, Brandon Graham just rode off into the sunset as a two-time Super Bowl champion, capping off his incredible legacy.
My money would be on Hutch today, with Nico not that far behind, but don't bet out guys like Zak Zinter, Blake Corum and others to reach new heights in due time.