Michigan Football: The Wolverine's Top-25 Since '97 - No. 4
The Wolverine continues its series of the top 25 Michigan players since 1997 with No. 4, Braylon Edwards.
One of the best to ever play receiver at Michigan, Edwards finished his career at or near the top of all of the school's receiving categories, and was recognized as one of the top receivers in the country.
Edwards, a Detroit native, played two seasons of high school football at Detroit Martin Luther King before finishing his prep career at Bishop Gallagher High. Following his senior season he was named a Prep Star All-American and garnered All-State honors. He then echoed his father, Stanley, by signing to play for the Wolverines.
Though Edwards saw little action as a freshman, he participated in every game for the rest of his career, going over 1,000 receiving yards each of his final three seasons in the maize and blue. At the time, Edwards was the only Big Ten receiver to go over 1,000 yards in three straight years. Each of those season marks stand in the top-10 in school history, and his 1,330 yards his senior season are second on the school's single season list.
In 2002, as a sophomore, Edwards helped lead Michigan to a 10-3 record and an Outback Bowl victory over Florida. The next two seasons, Edwards and the Wolverines earned at least a share of the Big Ten Title and went to back to back Rose Bowls. Edwards' most impressive season came as a senior, when he had 97 catches for 1,330 yards and 15 touchdowns. Edwards scored three touchdowns against rivals Michigan State that year as well as three touchdowns in the Rose Bowl against Texas. His 97 receptions are the most in a single season by a Wolverine receiver and his 15 touchdowns are second only to Desmond Howard's 19 in 1991.
After that season, he was named a unanimous All-American, Big Ten Most Valuable Player, and won the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's top receiver. Edwards finished his career with the most receptions (252), most receiving yards (3,541), and most receiving touchdowns (39) in school history.
In the 2005 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected Edwards No. 3 overall, making him the highest drafted Michigan player since guard Tom Mack was selected No. 2 overall by the Rams in 1966. Edwards was with the Browns from 2005 through the 2009 season before he bounced from team to team until the end of his career following the 2012 season. His best NFL season came in 2007, when he had 80 catches for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl and a second team All Pro that year.
The full list:
No. 5: Steve Hutchinson
No. 6: LaMarr Woodley
No. 7: Brandon Graham
No. 8: Chris Perry
No. 9: Anthony Thomas
No. 10: Leon Hall
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