Lists of Michigan Wolverines football statistical leaders

The lists of Michigan Wolverines football statistical leaders identify individual statistical leaders of the Michigan Wolverines football program in various offensive categories, including passing, rushing, and receptions. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season and career leaders in yardage, number (receptions, rushes or passes), and touchdowns. The Michigan Wolverines football program is a college football team that represents the University of Michigan in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Big Ten Conference.

Passing leaders. Michigan's career leader in passing yardage is Chad Henne with 9,715 passing yards from 2004 to 2007. Henne also holds the career records in completions (828) and touchdown passes (87). John Navarre holds the records for passing yards in a single season (3,331) and single game (489), both records having been set during the 2003 season. Tom Brady holds the school's record for most completions in a game, having completed 34 passes against Alabama in the 2000 Orange Bowl.

Rushing leaders. Michigan's career leader in rushing yards is Mike Hart with 5,040 rushing yards from 2004 to 2007. Hart also holds the career record with 1,050 carries. Tim Biakabutuka holds the single season record with 1,818 rushing yards during the 1995 season. Ron Johnson holds the single game record with 347 rushing yards in a game against Wisconsin during the 1967 season. Willie Heston, who played on Fielding H. Yost's "Point-a-Minute" teams from 1901 to 1904, holds the career record for rushing touchdowns with 72. Albert Herrnstein holds the records for most rushing touchdowns in a season (26) and in a single game (7), having set those records for the 1902 team.

Receiving leaders. Michigan receiving records are dominated by Braylon Edwards who played for Michigan from 2001 to 2004. He holds the records for most receiving yards in a career (3,541) and season (1,330 in 2004), the records for most receptions in a career (252) and season (97 in 2004), and the record for most career touchdown reception (39). Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard holds the single season record with 19 touchdown passes during the 1991 season. Michigan's single game receiving records are held by Roy Roundtree (246 receiving yards against Illinois in 2010), Marquise Walker (15 receptions against Ohio State in 2001), and Derrick Alexander (four touchdown catches against Minnesota in 1992).

Historical caveats. Although Michigan began competing in intercollegiate football in 1879, the school's official statistical database only tracks offensive statistics since 1949. The tracking of defensive statistics dates back to an even shorter period of time and is not covered within the scope of this article.

Because the official database commences in 1949, many statistical achievements are overlooked in these lists. For example, Dick Rifenburg's career receiving statistics are not included in the official database despite the fact that his 16 career and eight single-season touchdowns were recognized as school records until 1980.

Where pre-1949 records are available from reliable sources, they have been included below with yellow shading. Because there is no complete database of pre-1949 records, such records are incomplete and may not be considered "official" records.

With playing seasons extending progressively from relatively short four-games seasons in the 19th century to the current 12-game regular seasons, conference championship games, and bowl games, and with players being eligible to play four years of college football starting in 1972, the lists tend to be dominated by more recent players.

Touchdowns
Records for years prior to 1949 are not included in the University of Michigan's statistical records database. Where pre-1949 records are available from reliable sources, they have been included below with yellow shading. Because there is no complete database of pre-1949 records, such records are incomplete and may not be considered "official" records. Unless otherwise indicated, touchdown totals in this section are taken from the 2011 Michigan Football Record Book.