Michigan Football: The Wolverine's Top-25 Since '97 - No. 6
The Wolverine continues its series of the top 25 Michigan players since 1997 with No. 6, LaMarr Woodley.
One of the most disruptive defensive forces in recent Wolverine history, Woodley terrorized backfields during his time at Michigan, notching at least 16 tackles for loss each of his final three seasons.
As a inside linebacker at Saginaw (Mich.) High, Woodley helped lead his team to a Division II State Championship in 2000. As a member of the 2003 recruiting class, Woodley was ranked as the No. 1 prospect in Michigan and the No. 14 player in the country by Rivals.com.
Woodley will mostly be remembered for his play over the course of his final two years as a Wolverine, though he showed flashes early on. In his first two years in Ann Arbor, Michigan had at least a share of the Big Ten Title, and as a Sophomore in 2004, Woodley's 16 tackles for loss led the team. Four of his tackles for loss came in the one point Rose Bowl loss to Texas. He also forced three fumbles that season.
In 2005 Michigan experienced a down year, going 7-5 and losing the Alamo Bowl to Nebraska. However, Woodley still corralled seven sacks and 16 tackles for loss, leading the team in both categories. He was also a huge factor in the team's biggest win of the season, a 27-25 victory over then No. 8 Penn State, tallying four tackles for loss. The 2006 season was when Woodley gained the most national recognition for his skill on the football field. That season Woodley made 16.5 tackles for loss, a team and conference leading 12 sacks and forced four fumbles. His 12 sacks are tied for the most in a single season in school history and was eighth in the country that season. Woodley also scooped up a fumble against Notre Dame in 2006 and ran it back 54 yards for a touchdown in the 47-21 road beat down of the rival Fighting Irish.
Following the 2006 season, Woodley was named a unanimous All-American as well as first team All-Big Ten. He also won the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation's top defensive end and the Lombardi Award for being the top lineman in the country. Woodley's 52.5 career tackles for loss are third in school history and his 24 sacks are tied for fourth.
Woodley was selected in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft, No. 46 overall, by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Woodley was with the Steelers from 2007 through the 20013 season, and was a Super Bowl XLIII Champion. In the Super Bowl, Woodley recorded two sacks of Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner and forced a fumble with 15 seconds remaining to seal the victory. Following his time with the Steelers, Woodley spent a year each with Oakland and Arizona before ending his professional career. He finished his career with 304 combined tackles, 57 sacks, nine forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries and five interceptions.
The full list:
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