The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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Some Who Left Staying in school the final year isn't the right choice for everyone. Michigan has had less than most, though, in large part because they love their experience. Some who stayed decades ago might have gone had it been more prevalent at the time. Former Michigan receiver and longtime pro Anthony Carter (197982) had the talent and would very likely been chosen early had he foregone his senior season his quarterback, John Wangler, said. "It was a little different back then, though," Wangler said. "Not too many guys jumped out early. "I think it's a tribute to Michigan that kids don't want to leave. The fact that Taylor Lewan stayed speaks volumes, and there's obviously the financial part of all that stuff, but nobody ever wants to be out of the program. They want to make the dream live as long as it can." Bo Schembechler said it best, he added: college football would be the last time they'd be playing for a team instead of a contract. Here are some who opted out of their final years and what became of them. • Jon Runyan, OT, 1995: The Houston Oilers took Runyan with the fourth pick of the 1996 draft. Runyan started 34 games at U-M between the guard and tackle spots, but an injury suffered near the end of his redshirt junior year spooked him a bit, he admitted. He was seeing action six games into his rookie season. "Just coming off an injury, that type of thing starts playing mind games with you," he said in 2010 of his decision to leave. "There was an opportunity there. I don't regret anything I did; otherwise I wouldn't be sitting here talking about it. It was an opportunity to go out and make a career playing in the NFL, and ultimately it worked out for me." Runyan spent 13 years in the NFL and played in 207 games, earning All-Pro honors in 1999. • Desmond Howard, WR/KR: Howard's stock was never higher following his Heisman Trophy-winning campaign in 1991, and he almost had no choice but to leave. He went No. 4 overall to the Washington Redskins, spent 10 years in the NFL and was a two-time All-Pro (1996 and 2000) as a return man. He was also the Super Bowl photo by per kjeldsen