 After graduating , he was recruited by six Big Ten Conference football programs in 1968 . He played at the University of Michigan from 1969 to 1971 and had 218 tackles and 11 interceptions . He was an All American in 1971 , and he was also named All @-@ Big Ten in 1970 . He played on Big Ten champions in both 1969 and 1971 . Thom fit in well at Michigan becoming one of Coach Bo <unk> 's prized pupils and earning a reference in his 2006 book Bo <unk> . Darden still ranks among leaders at Michigan for Punt <unk> and Punt Return <unk> . Darden played all defensive back positions at Michigan . In college , Darden was a <unk> of <unk> <unk> , Glenn <unk> , Billy Taylor and Mike Taylor in a notable house known as the Den of the <unk> Men . 
