Tag: Charles Woodson

One former Wolverine makes ESPN all-time All-America first-team

Just one Wolverine made the list of 50 players in college football’s history, and it just happens to be the G.O.A.T. on defense.

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There’s All-Americans and then there’s All-Americans. And while Michigan has had 130 different players since 1898 to earn that distinction, with 21 unanimous selections, one stands out above all else.

And ESPN not only sees that, but it recognizes said Wolverine as one of the greatest of all time to ever do it.

Former Michigan cornerback, returner and offensive weapon Charles Woodson remains the only primarily defensive player to ever win the Heisman Trophy — a feat he accomplished 22 years ago in 1997. As ESPN continues to celebrate the 150th season of college football, it put together an all-time All-America team, and naturally, Woodson was the sole Wolverine to make that first-team.

CB Charles Woodson, Michigan (1995-97)
Interceptions: 18 | Tackles: 162 | Total TDs: 6
The Wolverines’ 20-14 victory over rival Ohio State encapsulated Woodson’s Heisman Trophy-winning campaign in 1997. He set up Michigan’s only offensive touchdown with a 37-yard catch in the first quarter, scored on a 78-yard punt return in the second, and intercepted a pass in the end zone in the third. Woodson’s versatility and big-play ability allowed him to become the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman since the sport moved to a two-platoon system in the early 1960s. As a junior, Woodson had eight interceptions with 43 tackles, while catching 11 passes for 231 yards with one score. A two-time All-American, he won the Heisman, Walter Camp Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award and Jim Thorpe Award in 1997. Most importantly, he helped the Wolverines win their first national title since 1948.

The ‘worldwide leader’ put together two teams, meaning 50 players total. No other former Wolverines made the list, meaning there are some notable omissions. Particularly former Heisman winners Tom Harmon and Desmond Howard. But given the brevity of the list, the fact that Woodson made it on is certainly notable.

Charles Woodson on Michigan closing the gap with Ohio State: “We’ll make it up. We’ll be fine.”

Michigan legend Charles Woodson told TMZ Sports that the Wolverines will close the gap on Ohio State and be fine.

Every once and awhile we get a sound bite from former Michigan player Charles Woodson. To be fair, he’s usually pretty sensible when it comes to his analysis after games and isn’t afraid to hold the Wolverine program accountable for the play on the field.

Other times though when he’s not feeling deflated after watching arch rival Ohio State dismantle his alma-mater again, Woodson can put on the pom-poms and say things with emotion. Of course, you wouldn’t expect anything else from the former Michigan legend, just like you wouldn’t expect anything different from a former Ohio State great when it comes to cheering and believing in his team.

After another defeat at the hands of the Buckeyes, much has been discussed about the gap in talent between Ohio State and Michigan. TMZ Sports caught up with Woodson and asked him the same thing. Will the Wolverines ever close the gap on OSU.

“Yeah, we’ll make it up,” said Woodson. “We’ll be fine.”

He was then asked if Jim Harbaugh should be there for another year, and if the job were ever to come open if he’d be interested.

“Well he’s (Harbaugh) there as long as I know, so we’re going to work with that,” the former Heisman winner said … “I can’t coach. I can play. I can’t coach, I play.”

But perhaps more fitting than anything was a loud O-H cheer as Woodson turned away and continued to walk on away from the questions from TMZ Sports.

Former Michigan star Charles Woodson agrees Ohio State wants rivalry more

Charles Woodson has some words for the Michigan program after it got beat down by Ohio State once again.

Ohio State administered another public flogging of arch rival Michigan. After a year of so-called culture changes, defensive adjustments, and likely holy water and fasting, nothing really changed. The Buckeyes blew the doors off a Wolverine program once again, this time even worse than the 62-39 embarrassment of last year.

Hard questions must be asked, but solutions are hard to find.

One thing appears to be evident though. Ohio State just wants it more, and it The Game is a way of life, not just something you really want when late November rolls around.

Former Michigan defensive back and Heisman winner Charles Woodson had an honest and sobering assessment after the game. After watching his former team get rolled over once again, he agreed that the rivalry just means more to Ohio State.

When talking and responding to former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff postgame show, Woodson admitted that the Buckeyes were the better team, and that Michigan has to get back to making it a way of life like Ohio State does.

You can watch Woodson’s comments below thanks to the video posted to the official Twitter feed of FOX College Football.

You have to appreciate the honest assessment from Woodson. He may bleed Maize and Blue, but he knows the reality of where things stand, and isn’t afraid to call out the Michigan staff and players.

Michigan legend Charles Woodson on if Chase Young can win the Heisman

“He absolutely has a shot,” Charles Woodson said about Chase Young’s Heisman campaign.

Former Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson is the only defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy, but on the morning of the Ohio State-Michigan game Saturday, he explained why he thinks Buckeyes defensive end Chase Young could become the second.

Young is undeniably one of the best players in college football this season. He’s powerful, dominant and fast, all of which should make quarterbacks terrified, and he’s been in the Heisman conversation for weeks.

He leads the nation with 16.5 sacks, three of which came last weekend in Ohio State’s win over Penn State, and could finish the season with 20, which ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit said would be “unheard of.” He also has 38 total tackles, 27 solo, and seven forced fumbles.

“I think he absolutely has a shot [to win the Heisman], and I think this thing was set up for him weeks ago when people started claiming he was the best player in the country, hands down,” Woodson, a FOX Sports analyst who won the trophy as a Michigan junior in 1997, said.

But the NCAA suspended Young for two games this season, the Buckeyes’ wins over Maryland and Rutgers, for accepting a small loan, which he repaid, reportedly so his girlfriend could travel to Pasadena to see Ohio State play in the Rose Bowl last year.

Woodson explained he isn’t entirely sure how the suspension could impact his Heisman campaign. He continued:

“When he got suspended though, I think that kind of derailed it a little bit. I think in the eyes of some voters, that will take away from him a little bit. But you think about those two games that he missed: Maryland, Rutgers.

“Look, he had three sacks last week against Penn State. We can almost safely assume that he would have had another three or four sacks a game against those particular teams, and then he would have had Penn State left and Michigan again at the end of the season.”

Suspension aside, Young’s Heisman competition is steep with LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts and Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the mix, but he’s also up against two players on his own team in quarterback Justin Fields and running back J.K. Dobbins.

But whether or not he wins, it’s hard to deny that Young is very worthy of being a Heisman finalist this year.

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Ohio State vs. Michigan Enemy Territory preview. Get to know the Wolverines

Ohio State is preparing for its final regular-season game against Michigan. Here’s everything you need to know about That Team Up North.

Before every game, we provide a preview of Ohio State football’s opponent for the upcoming week. It’s a twelve game slate to the regular season, so there’s plenty to talk about, and plenty of opponents to get up to speed on.

Of course, some you’ll know better than others. And this week it’s a team we all know very well — Michigan.

So, if you want to impress your friends while watching the game, we’ve got your cheat code right here. We do the research, you drop nuggets. You win on Saturdays. It’s as simple as that.

Ohio State’s twelfth game of the year is against a That Team Up North, a team that looked severely overrated at the beginning of the year, but that looks to have steered the sinking ship back out into open waters and is playing its best football of the year.

Here’s all you need to know about Michigan.

Next … Michigan all-time vitals

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Charles Woodson and Urban Meyer react to Michigan’s big win over MSU

The former Buckeyes coach and Wolverines legend break down what made the maize and blue so dominant over Sparty on Saturday.

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In the studio for FOX Sports, Charles Woodson and Urban Meyer each have different approaches when it comes to Michigan football.

One was a former Wolverines legend, the other the same for Ohio State, but as a head coach. And both were emphatic in their praise for the maize and blue after a 44-10 win over rival MSU.

For Woodson, who made his first appearance in the studio after the Wolverines got decimated in Madison, he got to sing the accolades for his alma mater after the thorough domination at The Big House. He saw a team that was collected and emphasized its talents throughout.

“I thought this was a great win for Michigan,” Woodson said. “In this game, you’ve gotta withstand the first blow from the other team. Michigan State went down there and scored a touchdown early in the game, made it 7-0. But Michigan was the better football team. As long as they don’t get rattled, don’t make mistakes, don’t turn the ball over from an offensive standpoint, we were gonna win this game.

“And there was nothing better for me to see than that late, second quarter drive, that 98 yard drive, touchdown drive that they had where you seen everything you needed to see out of Michigan. Especially out of Shea Patterson. He controlled the offense, he continued to make big throws on third down, scrambles on third down and move that ball down the field. And then, once they scored the ball, Michigan State got the ball back, the defense came in and did their job and held those guys.

“They played complementary football today. Offense helped the defense, the defense the offense and great win for Michigan.”

Meyer also looked at it as a team hitting its stride, but he brought up a point he made before the season.

With new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis leading the charge, Meyer indicated (correctly) that it would take some time for the Michigan offense to jell. After early struggles, when many Wolverines fans got off the bandwagon, the former OSU head coach’s comments proved prescient, as ‘speed in space’ became very apparent on Saturday.

But, in his mind, it’s because the coaching staff adapted to the players, not necessarily because the new scheme caught fire in the locker room.

“We made a comment earlier in the year: whenever you make a complete transitional change on offense from a pro-style to a spread, it takes a long time,” Meyer said. “But you watch, they’re not necessarily a spread offense anymore. I think they’re very accustomed to their personnel. This is a combination of spread and pro-style. They’re executing very well, but this is not the spread offense they were trying to do earlier. Doing a little two tight ends, underneath center. It’s a combination of pro and spread right now.”

Watch the entire interview below:

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