Two of the greatest backfield players in Michigan football history played before the United States entered World War II. The other three on our list of the greatest running backs in Michigan history are quite a bit more modern.
The Wolverines have been fortunate in that regard. They’re one of the most successful college football programs of all-time. Of course, then, they’re going to impress when it comes to their best-player rankings. At running back, there’s an embarrassment of riches.
But there’s also not a ton of absolute superstar power. Guys like Anthony Thomas, Chris Perry and Jamie Morris didn’t make the cut. They, too, would fall into the category of All-American type of players, but not quite the icons of the game during their eras.
Who did make the cut? Without further ado:
Honorable Mentions
- Jamie Morris (1984-1987)
- Anthony Thomas (1997-2000)
- Chris Perry (2000-2003)
5. Willie Heston (1901-1904)
There is a bit of an asterisk next to Heston’s name on this list. He played for Michigan in the early 1900s, which, obviously, is a completely different kind of college football. The records from that era are sketchy at best, but if we take them at face value, Heston deserves a spot on this list.
According to Michigan records, Heston scored a ridiculous 72 rushing touchdowns in his time. That’s 14 more than the No. 2 player in Wolverines history. It’s hard to say how accurate those totals are, but we do know that in 1901 Michigan outscored its opponents 555-0.
It’s impossible to keep him from this list, even if much of his legacy is tied up in legend.
4. Tyrone Wheatley (1991-1994)
RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Though he may never have been an outright superstar, Wheatley is the definition of just plain solid. He was the kind of guy who put in the work consistently and was lauded as a consummate team player.
He ran for 1,000 yards three times in his four seasons from 1991 to 1994. Wheatley earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors as a sophomore after going for 1,122 yards with 10 touchdowns on the ground.
A shoulder injury slowed him as a junior and despite it, he entered his senior season as a favorite for the Heisman. Unfortunately, the injury cropped back up and kept him out at the beginning of the season, though he still managed to run for the century mark. To this day, he ranks fifth in school history in yards rushing and fourth in touchdowns.
3. Blake Corum (2020-2023)
USA TODAY Sports
There’s an easy argument to place Corum even higher on this list. We’d have no quarrel if you chose to do it on your own personal one. He’s one of the most decorated players in school history, regardless of position.
No one in Michigan history has run for more touchdowns than Corum (except maybe Heston), who racked up 58 from 2020 to 2023 with the Wolverines. His 3,737 yards rushing rank him seventh in program history, too.
More than that, Michigan won three straight Big Ten crowns and a national championship with Corum as the biggest weapon. It’s no surprise he finished top 10 in Heisman voting twice.
2. Mike Hart (2004-2007)
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Network
Had a hamstring injury not limited Hart to just six games as a sophomore in 2005, we’d be talking about the only man to ever run for 1,000 yards in all four of his Michigan seasons. He was the Wolverines’ heart and soul for all four of his seasons in Ann Arbor, even as the team struggled against arch-rival Ohio State in that era.
Hart ranks first in Michigan history with 5,040 yards rushing and he’s the only player at the school who holds two of the top 10 individual rushing seasons. His impact was immediate as he ran for a Big-Ten high 1,455 yards as a freshman, earning conference Freshman of the Year honors.
He followed that with two second-team All-American nods in 2006 and 2007 and helped Michigan capture a national title in 2023 when he served as the team’s running backs coach, helping Corum lead the way on the ground.
1. Tom Harmon (1938-1940)
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
This might be a bit of a cheat as Harmon was a quarterback at Michigan, too. He was also a kicker and a defensive player who played all 60 game minutes eight times in his three seasons. We’re calling him a running back here, regardless.
Harmon was a three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection, a consensus All-American in 1939 and a unanimous All-American in 1940. He won the Heisman Trophy and the Maxwell Award that year along with being named AP Athlete of the Year and leading Michigan to a 40-0 win over Ohio State.
A College Football Hall of Famer, Harmon’s No. 98 has been retired at U of M.
More Michigan Wolverines Football Rankings
- 10 Greatest Michigan Football Players Ever
- 5 Greatest Quarterbacks in Michigan History
- 5 Greatest Defensive Players in Michigan History
