Jan. 7, 2016 - Napa, CA, U.S. - Charles Woodson is seen at the tasting room for Chalres Woodson Wines in Napa on Thursday. Napa U.S. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY - ZUMAna3_ Jan 7 2016 Napa Approx U S Charles Woodson IS Lakes AT The Tasting Room for Chalres Woodson Wines in Napa ON Thursday Napa U S PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY ZUMAna3_
Jan. 7, 2016 - Napa, CA, U.S. - Charles Woodson is seen at the tasting room for Chalres Woodson Wines in Napa on Thursday. Napa U.S. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY - ZUMAna3_ Jan 7 2016 Napa Approx U S Charles Woodson IS Lakes AT The Tasting Room for Chalres Woodson Wines in Napa ON Thursday Napa U S PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY ZUMAna3_
May 2, 2026, 3:31 PM CUT
Hall Of Famer Charles Woodson Reveals Why He Chose Michigan Football
The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2009) and Fremont, Ohio native, Charles Woodson, went to school at Ann Arbor, Michigan. This is not something Ohio natives do, given the enormous rivalry with the Ohio State Buckeyes; the safety has a special reason for why he went to Michigan.
Charles Woodson recently made an appearance on The Richard Sherman Podcast on YouTube, and Sherman asked Woodson why he chose Michigan.
Woodson responded, saying, “But my older brother was a Michigan fan. And so, he fell in love with the wing helmet. I am four years younger than my brother, and he’s my first childhood idol... That’s big bro, he like Michigan. I like Michigan.”
The nine-time Pro Bowler Woodson started as a running back in high school but played as a safety at Michigan. Woodson played for head coach Lloyd Carr (legacy recruit and freshman Tommy Carr’s grandfather).
Woodson helped the Michigan Wolverines to the 1997 national title, which was split between the Michigan Wolverines and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Woodson was also named the Heisman Trophy winner in 1997.
Woodson remains the only defensive player to have won the Heisman Trophy primarily playing defense. Through his years at Michigan, Woodson had 18 career interceptions and went fourth overall in the 1998 NFL Draft. After the 1998 season, Woodson was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Woodson went on to win Super Bowl XLV with the Green Bay Packers in 2011. After his time in college at Ann Arbor, could another Woodson be on his way to Michigan?
Charles Woodson Jr. Visits Kyle Whittingham
Charles Woodson's son is on Kyle Whittingham’s radar for 2027. For head coach Kyle Whittingham and staff, Woodson Jr. will be a legacy recruit, given that his father played for the Wolverines.
“Obviously, it’s a new coaching staff, too. I don’t know too much, but I got to sit down and talk to coach (Tyler) Stockton, the safeties coach,” said Woodson Jr. as reported by 247 Sports.
He further added, “It was a good first impression, Coach Whittingham is establishing a culture over there, an old school culture. I think it’ll be good for Michigan.”
The three-star safety has also visited USF (University of South Florida), Wake Forest, Kentucky, and Louisville.
There is still time for a decision. Could Woodson Jr. follow in his father's footsteps? Tell us in the comments.
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