The Most Famous Michigan QB of All Time: Ranking the Legendary Signal Caller

Voting rules: Choose the quarterback you think is the most famous!

Updated on Oct 1, 2023 11:17

Welcome to StrawPoll's ultimate showdown of the most famous Michigan QBs of all time! As a renowned platform hosting thousands of polls and rankings, we invite you to join the heated debate and cast your vote for your favorite Wolverine quarterback. From iconic legends to rising stars, our list features the best of the best from the storied history of the University of Michigan's football program. Will it be Tom Brady – the G.O.A.T., or will the dynamic Denard Robinson capture your heart? Perhaps you're a fan of the old-school talents of Rick Leach, or maybe you're rooting for the underrated Chad Henne. No matter your allegiance, now's your chance to make your voice heard and shape the rankings. And if you think we've missed a crucial contender, don't hesitate to suggest an option and rally support for your pick. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into this thrilling face-off of Michigan's finest QBs and vote now!

Who Is the Most Famous Michigan QB of All Time? (October 2023)

1

87
votes
All-Pro Reels · CC BY-SA 2.0

Tom Brady

Considered by many to be the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady played for the University of Michigan from 1995-1999. During his time there, he led the Wolverines to an Orange Bowl victory and set numerous school records. He went on to have a legendary career in the NFL, winning seven Super Bowl championships and numerous individual awards.
Description

Tom Brady is a highly accomplished and often celebrated NFL player. He is consistently regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. Brady's ability to lead his teams to numerous Super Bowl victories has cemented his status as a legend of the sport.

Super Bowl victories: 7

Most Super Bowl MVPs: 5

Regular-season MVP awards: 3

NFL records held: Multiple

Career passing touchdowns: 581
Tom Brady in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Michigan football player
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous QB
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous quarterback in the NFL
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous Tom
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous among us players
- Position 4 of 10 in Most handsome athlete
2

36
votes

Melissa Hillier · CC BY 2.0

Denard Robinson

Known as "Shoelace" for his habit of playing without tying his shoes, Denard Robinson was a standout quarterback for the Wolverines from 2009-2012. He set numerous school records for rushing and total offense and was a two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.
3

15
votes

Ed Yourdon · CC BY-SA 2.0

Chad Henne

Chad Henne played for Michigan from 2004-2007 and set numerous school passing records, including career passing yards and touchdowns. He went on to have a solid career in the NFL, playing for the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Kansas City Chiefs.
4

10
votes
BrokenSphere · CC BY 3.0

Jim Harbaugh

Jim Harbaugh played quarterback for Michigan from 1982-1986 and led the Wolverines to three Big Ten championships. He went on to have a successful career in the NFL and is currently the head coach at his alma mater.
Jim Harbaugh in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous Chicago Bears quarterback
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous Michigan football player
5

13
votes

Elvis Grbac

Elvis Grbac played for Michigan from 1989-1992 and led the Wolverines to a Rose Bowl victory in 1993. He went on to have a solid career in the NFL, playing for the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Baltimore Ravens.
6

17
votes

original work: Robbie Mendelson derivative work: Vinkje83 · CC BY-SA 2.0

Rick Leach

Rick Leach played quarterback for Michigan from 1975-1978 and set numerous school records for passing and total offense. He was a two-time All-American and led the Wolverines to three Big Ten championships.
7

11
votes

John Navarre

John Navarre played for Michigan from 2000-2003 and set numerous school passing records, including career passing yards and touchdowns. He led the Wolverines to a Big Ten championship in 2003.
8

3
votes

Daniel Hartwig · CC BY 2.0

Brian Griese

Brian Griese played for Michigan from 1993-1997 and led the Wolverines to a national championship in 1997. He went on to have a solid career in the NFL, playing for the Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
9

5
votes
Steve Smith

Steve Smith played for Michigan from 1980-1983 and set numerous school records for passing and total offense. He was a two-time All-American and led the Wolverines to a Big Ten championship in 1980.
Steve Smith in other rankings
- Position 9 of 10 in Most handsome cricket player
10

3
votes

Tom Slade

Tom Slade played for Michigan from 1966-1968 and led the Wolverines to a national championship in 1968. He was a two-time All-American and set numerous school records for passing and total offense.

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Discussion

Ranking factors for famous Michigan QB

1) Statistics and records during their time at Michigan.
2) Accolades and awards received, such as All-American honors and conference titles.
3) Success in leading their team to important victories, including bowl games and rivalry games.
4) Professional career success and impact on the sport beyond college.
5) Name recognition and overall cultural impact, such as being a household name or having a strong influence on the program's history and lore.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous Michigan QB of all time. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or your favorite quarterback is missing from the list, feel free to help us improve the ranking.

Statistics

1543 views
200 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each quarterback once every 24 hours. The rank of each quarterback is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous michigan qb of all time

The University of Michigan has a storied football program with a rich history of talented quarterbacks. From Tom Brady to Chad Henne, Michigan has produced many successful QBs. But who is the most famous Michigan QB of all time? That's a question that has sparked debate among fans for decades. Some argue it's Tom Brady, who led the Wolverines to an Orange Bowl victory in 2000 and went on to become one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Others point to legends like Brian Griese, who led Michigan to a national championship in 1997, or Jim Harbaugh, who set multiple records during his time as a Wolverine. Regardless of who you believe is the most famous Michigan QB, one thing is for sure: the University of Michigan has a proud tradition of producing some of the best quarterbacks in college football history.