NFL legend Tom Brady is well known for his accomplishments in the league, where he is the winningest quarterback with an incredible seven Super Bowl wins. Brady’s legend has almost completely overshadowed his college football career, which was much less decorated than his NFL career, but no less epic.
Tom Brady Details Almost Leaving Michigan
Brady was recruited by the Michigan Wolverines in 1995, and he struggled up the depth chart before finally becoming a starter in Ann Arbor, laying the foundation for his famous work ethic. During Tuesday’s segment of the “Champion Mindset” podcast, Brady revealed his arduous journey to being recruited by Michigan and how he almost left the Wolverines because of his depth-chart position.
“When I look back at high school, didn’t start as a freshman, had to work really hard to even make the team in my second year, had to work really hard to become the starter on varsity, had to work really hard in my fourth year to get recruited,” Brady said. “Michigan, I’m seventh on the depth chart. But because I loved it, I never minded working hard.
“At Michigan, you go from seventh and I’m going to my second year and I’m kind of like, ‘Maybe this Michigan is too much for me.’ And I questioned myself for a little bit because I’m like third or fourth on the depth chart, the guy who’s the starter is one year ahead of me. So, maybe I’ll never play here if he plays good ’cause the coaches seem to love him.”
Brady redshirted his freshman season at Michigan in 1995 and spent the next two seasons fighting up the depth chart behind Brian Griese, who led the Wolverines to an undefeated 1997 season and a share of the national championship.
Despite considering transferring to the University of California, Brady stayed in Ann Arbor and shared starting duties with Drew Henson before ultimately becoming the undisputed QB1 in 1999 and leading the Wolverines to a Citrus Bowl win in 1999.
His crowning moment as QB1 was the four-touchdown performance against Alabama in the 2000 Orange Bowl. Brady finished his Michigan career with 4,773 passing yards on 61.9% completion and 30 total touchdowns.
Brady’s career of proving himself as a worthy prospect continued when he was picked No. 199 overall in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, where, under the guidance of the legendary Bill Belichick, he helped to build a dynasty and enter into the annals of NFL history as one of the league’s best ever players.
