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.

News: Michigan Wolverines Continue NFL Legacy with Hall of Fame Asp

There’s no debating it—the greatest to ever grace the gridiron, Tom Brady, is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan. As the NFL’s most decorated quarterback awaits his inevitable Hall of Fame induction, the spotlight turns to a new generation of Michigan men vying for their own place in football immortality.

Today’s league is filled with Wolverines, from blue-chip first-rounders to gritty undrafted free agents. They carry the legacy of the maize and blue across the NFL, each striving to carve out a career worthy of Canton consideration

The Wolverines’ NFL history runs deep. While Tom Brady may be the face of Michigan football greatness, only two Wolverines have ever been drafted No. 1 overall: offensive tackle Jake Long in 2008 and the legendary Tom Harmon back in 1941. Harmon, a Heisman Trophy winner, and Long, a multi-time Pro Bowler, left indelible marks on the game—even if one’s journey ended far too soon.

As the next crop of Wolverines—like Aidan Hutchinson, Rashan Gary, and Cesar Ruiz—continue to develop and make their impact felt, the pipeline from Ann Arbor to NFL greatness remains as strong as ever. Whether they’re making tackles, throwing touchdowns, or protecting the quarterback, these Michigan alumni are determined to follow in Brady’s footsteps—not just as champions, but as legends.