Michigan Football: The Wolverine's Top-25 Since '97 - No. 11
The Wolverine continues its series of the top 25 Michigan players since 1997 with No. 11, Chad Henne.
Henne was the final Michigan quarterback for coach Lloyd Carr, and he left his mark on the program and led the team to a Capitol One Bowl victory over Florida in his final game.
His record setting passing numbers didn't just start at Michigan. Henne finished his high school career with 7,071 passing yards for Wilson Senior High School in West Lawn, Pa., which ranked third all-time in state history when he graduated. As soon as he got to Ann Arbor, he was called into action due to injury concerns at the quarterback position. Henne became the second true freshman to start a season opener at quarterback, and he led the team to a 43-10 victory over Miami (Ohio). That season, Henne led the Wolverines to a 9-3 record and a Rose Bowl appearance. His 25 touchdown passes that season are tied for first in school history in single season touchdown passes. Three of his four seasons rank in the top-5 on the single season list and all four are in the top-20.
Though Henne's second season as a Wolverine was lackluster, he led the team to his second Rose Bowl appearance, and at one time Michigan was ranked No. 2 in the country. Henne's final season in the maize and blue may have contained the worst loss in school history, a 34-32 loss to Appalachia State in the Big House. Henne and the team were able to rally somewhat, finishing second in the conference that season with a 9-4 overall record. The seniors on the 2007 team sent Coach Carr off in style with the 41-35 victory over the gators in the final game.
Though Henne's record with the team was not the best the program has ever seen, his individual stats place him at the top of quarterback careers at the school. He finished his career with the most passing yards in school history, with 9,715, and three of his seasons rank in the top-15 in single season yardage at Michigan. He also finished as the program leader in passing touchdowns with 87, a mark that sits in second in conference history.
Henne was selected in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, the highest a Michigan quarterback has been drafted since Todd Collins in 1995. He spent four years in Miami and is entering his sixth season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The full list:
No. 11: Chad Henne
No. 14: Denard Robinson
No. 15: Marlin Jackson
No. 16: Glen Steele
No. 17: David Baas
No. 18: Jourdan Lewis
No. 19: David Harris
No. 20: Ernest Shazor
No. 21: John Navarre
No. 22: Jake Butt
No. 23: David Molk
No. 24: Taco Charlton
No. 25: Jeremy Gallon