Detroit Jock City
Fansided

The Michigan Wolverines greatest running backs

By Ash Thompson

Michigan's Mike Hart (20) runs the ball past the Nebraska defense during the 2005 MasterCard Alamo Bowl game game between the University of Michigan Wolverines and the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers, December 28, 2005, at the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas. Nebraska won 32 - 28. (Photo by Darren Abate/Getty Images)
Michigan's Mike Hart (20) runs the ball past the Nebraska defense during the 2005 MasterCard Alamo Bowl game game between the University of Michigan Wolverines and the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers, December 28, 2005, at the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas. Nebraska won 32 - 28. (Photo by Darren Abate/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Michigan’s Mike Hart (20) runs the ball past the Nebraska defense during the 2005 MasterCard Alamo Bowl game game between the University of Michigan Wolverines and the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers, December 28, 2005, at the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas. Nebraska won 32 – 28. (Photo by Darren Abate/Getty Images)
Michigan’s Mike Hart (20) runs the ball past the Nebraska defense during the 2005 MasterCard Alamo Bowl game game between the University of Michigan Wolverines and the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers, December 28, 2005, at the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas. Nebraska won 32 – 28. (Photo by Darren Abate/Getty Images) /

Mike Hart

Mike Hart is Michigan’s all-time rushing yards leader. He began setting school records immediately. In 2004 Hart set the school record for freshman rushing yards with 1455. He added ten total touchdowns, 26 receptions and 237 receiving yards.

Hart suffered a nagging hamstring injury as a sophomore that limited him. During his junior year, however, Hart returned to form. He tallied 1562 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.

In 2007, Hart’s senior year, he was a team captain. He was the NCAA’s rushing leader after eight weeks but sat out two games with an ankle injury. He still finished the season with 1361 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns.

Hart finished his Michigan career as the all-time rushing and scrimmage yards leader for the school. The margin between Hart and second place is over 400 yards in both categories. He has the third most touchdowns in school history as well. He broke the School’s 100-yard games and 200-yard game marks as well.

Hart joined the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick. His rookie season ended on IR with a knee injury. He began the 2009 preseason injured as well. Hart bounced between the Colts practice squad and 53 man roster over the season. He was active for the Colts Superbowl victory.

In August 2011 Hart joined the Eastern Michigan coaching staff. He has coached for Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan and Syracuse University. He is currently the running backs coach for Indiana University.

Next: Lions RB roles are not set in stone

Greatness comes in many shapes and sizes. From the men among boys like Ron Johnson in 1967 to the pint-sized powerhouses like Jamie Morris in 1987, Michigan has had some great running backs.  In my opinion, these are the five best.

Home/Detroit Sports