No, he was not. Not by a long shot.
Woodley, Harris, and Hall were the three key players on that defense last year. Woodley provided pressure in the passing game, Harris roamed around and demolished runningbacks all over, and Hall blanket covered nearly every player he faced. I wouldn't say any one of these things is most valuable, so I'm not going to say if any of these players are the best or not.
As for Branch, he applied pressure and stuffed up the middle, but he was probably the fourth best defender this year on the Wolverines' defense.
Woodley has been the one constant in that defense the past four years. Branch came on in part of '05, and then in '06, but is overrated. Harris was good when he finally got healthy, but he struggled with injuries during the first half of his career missing a lot of time. Hall was a very good CB, has been consistant, and a key factor but unlike Revis and Houston he struggled against the best WR's. Dwayne Jerrett made him look stupid.
Woodley's been a key factor since 2003, and is second in school history racking up 25 sacks. This all while they were moving him around from DE to OLB.
Here's the comparison:
1. Woodley: In 49 games at Michigan, Woodley started 33 times. He recorded 177 tackles (129 solos) and ranks second in school history with 25 sacks for minus-228 yards and 50.5 stops for losses totaling 286 yards. He caused 10 fumbles, recovered four others, including one that he returned 54 yards for a touchdown and had five pass deflections.
2. Hall: In 50 games at Michigan, Hall started 37 times. He recorded 180 tackles (141 solos) with three sacks for minus-17 yards and seven stops for losses of 22 yards. He recovered five fumbles for 82 yards in returns, including one touchdown and had one forced fumble. He deflected 43 passes and intercepted 12 others for 23 yards in returns (1.9 avg.), adding 174 yards and a touchdown on 15 punt returns (11.6 avg.).
3. Harris: In 33 games at Michigan, Harris started 25 times. He closed out his career with 196 tackles (136 solos), four sacks for minus-29 yards and 20 stops for losses of 68 yards. He caused three fumbles and recovered another. He gained 8 yards on an interception return and also deflected four passes.
4. In 37 games at Michigan, Branch started 16 times at nose guard (left tackle) and seven at left defensive end. He recorded 61 tackles (34 solos) with nine sacks for minus-38 yards and five quarterback pressures. He registered 15 stops for losses totaling 59 yards, as he recovered four fumbles and caused three others. Branch also had two pass deflections and one interception.
The mini bios come from
NFL.com/the Sports XChange
