John Navarre - College Career

College Career

Before coming to Michigan, Navarre attended Cudahy High School in Wisconsin, where he had a record of 33–4 as the starting quarterback.

Navarre joined the Wolverines in 1999. At that time, the starting quarterback position was filled by future NFL player Tom Brady. Drew Henson, who also later played in the NFL, was listed as Brady's backup and Navarre was to be redshirted. On that year's roster, Navarre was listed at 6'6" and weighed 220 pounds.

To begin the 2000 season, Henson sustained an injury in practice that required redshirt-freshman Navarre to start under center against Michigan's first opponent, Bowling Green. In his first career start, Navarre threw for four touchdowns, a school record for a first-time starting quarterback and the most ever in a season opener. The four touchdown passes also tied a school record. Navarre's play in the opener earned him Big Ten Conference Offensive Player of the Week. Navarre continued his role as starting quarterback as Henson continued to be sidelined by injury, getting his second start against Rice. Michigan went on the road against #14 UCLA and lost, 23–20. The following week, Michigan began Big Ten play against #19 Illinois. While Navarre started his fourth game in a row, Henson replaced him late in the first half. Navarre saw limited action at quarterback the rest of the season, ending the season with 583 passing yards and 8 touchdowns in 10 games.

Shortly after Michigan's win against Auburn in the 2001 Citrus Bowl, Henson announced he would come back for his senior season and forgo entering the 2001 NFL Draft. In 1998, Henson was drafted by the Major League Baseball's New York Yankees in the amateur draft and although he had already told Michigan he was returning for his senior season, he left to begin his pursuit of a Major League career.

Navarre began the 2001 season as Michigan's starting quarterback, a role he kept until his last year of eligibility in 2003. In his first full season as Michigan's starting quarterback, Navarre threw for 2,345 yards and 19 touchdowns. Michigan ended the regular season 8–3 before going on to lose their Citrus Bowl match-up with Tennessee, snapping the school's four-game bowl win streak. In the loss, Navarre threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns.

In his junior season, Navarre led Michigan to a 9–3 regular season record before a showcase performance in the Outback Bowl, where he threw for a career-high 319 yards and one touchdown en route to 38–30 win over Florida and a 10–3 record to end the season.

In his senior campaign, Navarre again led Michigan to a 10–3 overall record, and the team's first Rose Bowl appearance since the 1997 season. During the regular season, Navarre amassed 3,331 passing yards and 24 touchdowns, posting wins over Michigan rivals, Notre Dame, 38–0, and Ohio State, 35-21. The Wolverines finished the season against USC, ranked #1 in both polls, in the Rose Bowl. In the 28–14 loss, Navarre had played his last game as a quarterback at Michigan, gaining 271 passing yards and one touchdown on 27 completions in 46 attempts.