He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1952 to 1953 under head coach Bennie Oosterbaan.

He was a star basketball player for Kalamazoo Central High School teams that won two state championships.

[1] Topp enrolled at the University of Michigan where he played freshman and junior varsity football.

[3] As a senior, he impressed the coaching staff in spring practice and won the starting spot at left end.

There was no rule prohibiting the practice at the time, and Giants' general manager Ray Walsh boasted to the press about their success.