A century‑old tradition of familial ties continues to shape the Michigan Wolverines football program, where fathers and sons have left indelible marks on the field.
Legacy of Michigan Football Families
Stan Edwards, who starred as a tailback from 1977 to 1981 and later earned a third‑round NFL draft selection in 1982, exemplifies the first generation of this lineage. His son, Braylon Edwards, blossomed into a star receiver between 2001 and 2004, collecting numerous accolades before the Cleveland Browns drafted him in 2005.
The Woolfolk family contributed a dual‑sport legacy; Butch Woolfolk’s track and field prowess complemented his football career, culminating in a Rose Bowl MVP in 1981, while his brother Troy carved out a respectable defensive back career from 2007 to 2011, tallying 90 tackles and 23 starts.
Quarterback John Wangler led the Wolverines from 1977 to 1980, and his sons Jack and Jared later followed suit, ensuring that the Wangler name remained part of Michigan’s offensive narrative.
Tyrone Wheatley, a standout in the early 1990s and a first‑round NFL draft pick in 1995, saw his son Tyrone Wheatley Jr. briefly experiment with tight end and defensive line duties in 2017, adding another chapter to the family’s gridiron story.
Jon Runyan Sr. dominated the line from 1992 to 1995, earning Pro Bowl honors and later a place in the Eagles Hall of Fame. His son, Jon Runyan Jr., replicated the path at Michigan from 2015 to 2019 before the Green Bay Packers drafted him, underscoring a rare father‑son continuity in the program.
Defensive stalwart Chris Hutchinson earned multiple awards between 1989 and 1992 before a medical complication forced his retirement, while Aidan Hutchinson has since become an All‑Pro edge rusher for the Detroit Lions, showcasing the program’s ongoing production of elite talent.
Jonathan Goodwin transferred to Michigan in 1998, captured the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year award, and later secured a Super Bowl ring in the NFL, a feat mirrored by his son Channing Goodwin, who now sporadically contributes as a wide receiver in 2024 and 2025.
Charles Woodson, widely regarded as one of the greatest Wolverines, won the Heisman Trophy and a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers, and his son Charles Woodson Jr. recently pledged to join the team as a three‑star safety, promising to extend the family’s legacy.
These intertwined stories illustrate how familial dedication fuels Michigan’s football identity, blending personal ambition with institutional pride, and hint at a future where the next generation may continue the tradition.