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Ex-Michigan Star Praises Wolverines’ Undefeated Season as Sign of Program’s Return to Glory
Ann Arbor, MI — May 19, 2025
An undefeated season. A national championship. And now, praise from one of the program’s most legendary figures.
Former Michigan football star and Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson has publicly praised the Wolverines’ flawless 2024 campaign, calling it “a return to the Michigan standard” and a sign that the program has reestablished itself as one of college football’s true elite.
Speaking during an appearance on a national sports network, Woodson expressed pride in his alma mater’s journey from years of postseason heartbreak to perfection on the field.
“This team brought it all together—dominant defense, a powerful run game, and a quarterback who made plays when it mattered most,” Woodson said. “This isn’t just about going undefeated. This is about Michigan football reclaiming its rightful place at the top.”
The Wolverines, led by head coach Sherrone Moore in his first full season at the helm, went 15-0 in 2024, culminating in a 31-17 victory over Texas in the College Football Playoff National Championship. The title marked Michigan’s first since 1997—the same season Woodson led the team to its last perfect season and claimed the Heisman.
“That 1997 team will always be special to me,” Woodson continued, “but watching this 2024 team—it brought back that same spirit, that same edge. They played for each other, for the program, and for the tradition. As an alum, I couldn’t be prouder.”
The parallels between the two championship teams haven’t gone unnoticed by fans and analysts. Both were built on defensive dominance, featured homegrown talent, and thrived under a coach with something to prove. Moore, who stepped into the head role after Jim Harbaugh’s departure to the NFL, quickly won over skeptics by keeping the team focused and motivated throughout a grueling schedule.
“Coach Moore deserves all the credit in the world,” Woodson added. “He stepped into a pressure cooker and never blinked. That’s leadership. That’s Michigan.”
The team’s top-ranked defense, led by standout linebacker Junior Colson and defensive end Derrick Moore, drew comparisons to the fearsome 1997 unit anchored by Woodson himself. Meanwhile, quarterback J.J. McCarthy—now considered a top NFL Draft prospect—commanded the offense with poise and maturity.
Woodson, now a broadcaster and active alum, has remained close to the program in recent years, often attending games and mentoring current players. He emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards and building a sustainable culture.
“Winning one title is incredible,” he said. “But the great programs—Alabama, Georgia, Clemson—they sustain success. This team showed they have the foundation to do that. The future is bright.”
Indeed, with Moore under contract through 2030, a top-five recruiting class signed, and returning talent on both sides of the ball, expectations remain sky-high in Ann Arbor.
For longtime fans, the 2024 championship was not just a celebration of a season, but a long-awaited culmination of a decade of rebuilding.
“It’s a reminder of who we are,” Woodson concluded. “We are Michigan. We win with integrity, toughness, and tradition. This season was just the beginning.”
As the Wolverines prepare for the 2025 campaign, the echoes of their undefeated run—and the praise from legends like Woodson—will serve as fuel to stay atop the MLB standings
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