His career started as a walk-on, but the Wolverines have something special in Max Bredeson. Here are some of the other standout walk-on players who have come through the University of Michigan in the last 30 years.
Max Bredeson recently announced he’ll return in 2025 for another season with the Michigan Wolverines . He’s a strong leader with great athletic abilities on the field. He’s carved out a special role at fullback, but he still works with the tight end room. He’s one of the walk-ons we’ll remember after his Michigan days are finished.
Outside of Bredeson, here are a few other memorable, successful walk-ons to go through the football program in the last 30 years.
Jason Vinson, Punter
In the late 1990s, Vinson tried out for the Wolverines, but it wasn’t until 1997 that he got his start as a punter on the eventual national championship-winning team. He played in all 12 games as Michigan’s punter in 1997, punting 57 times for 2,183 yards, with his longest going for 54 yards. For someone with no starting experience before that season, I’d say it’s pretty impressive what he accomplished.
Jordan Kovacs, Safety
Kovacs was a walk-on before earning major recognition with the program. He played in 50 games and compiled more than 300 tackles during his time in Ann Arbor. He was only the 15th player to reach that milestone at Michigan, and even received All-Big Ten second-team honors. He helped lead the Wolverines to victory in the 2011 Sugar Bowl. He played in the NFL for a few years before going into coaching. He is now the secondary/safeties coach for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Graham Glasgow, Offensive Lineman
This one feels especially relevant this year, given his status as the starting left guard of the Detroit Lions. Glasgow began his journey at Michigan in 2011 before earning a scholarship in 2013. He was drafted in the third round by the Lions, spent some time in Denver, and returned to the Lions last offseason.
Ryan Glasgow, Defensive Tackle
Graham’s brother, Ryan, also walked on at Michigan. He played in 45 games, with 91 total tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles. He was a force for the Wolverines until his final season in 2016. He would continue the family tradition of getting drafted when the Cincinnati Bengals selected him in the fourth round in 2017. He retired just prior to the 2021 NFL season.
Jordan Glasgow, Linebacker
The youngest of the three Glasgow brothers, Jordan played linebacker at Michigan under Jim Harbaugh. He ended his career with the Wolverines with 89 tackles, seven sacks, and one forced fumble. He ended up being drafted in the sixth round by the Indianapolis Colts and was there for two seasons.
Davis Warren, Quarterback
Even though he lost his starting job midseason to Alex Orji, Warren worked to win the job back and will be remembered by many Michigan fans for a long time after taking down Ohio State and Alabama to end the 2024 season. While he turned the ball over too many times, he also ended the year on a major high note. He is returning for the 2025 season, but is rehabbing a torn ACL he suffered against the Crimson Tide on New Year’s Eve.