The 20 Colleges With The Most NFL Players

For 99% of the population, we spend four years — and tens of thousands of dollars — in order to get an education, obtain training for our future careers, and position ourselves for a job. That’s just how it works. And, you work hard in grade school in order to position yourself to get into the colleges that will give you the best of those, in order to be more successful in your career.

For that remaining 1% of “student athletes,” especially who play football, the idea is the same, but the application is a bit different. When they achieve success in high school (specifically on the football field), they’re putting themselves in position to get into a college that can best prepare them for a potential career in professional football. Just as how Ivy League schools are most valued by “regular” people for the academic environment they create for future professionals, there are also schools that are more valued for the football environment they creat for future professionals.

In fact, there are 20 universities in the United States that have produced the most players in the National Football League. Here are the top 20 schools who have produced the most NFL players currently in the league as of today:

20. University of Tennessee — Amidst their run of mediocrity in recent years, we tend to overlook just how much talent has came and passed through Rocky Top. The school that brought the NFL some of its greatest legends, like Reggie White and Peyton Manning, still produces terrific talent year after year. Case in point? Running back Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints, who appears to be one of the favorites to win the 2017 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

19. Michigan State University — People tend to overlook Michigan State University, as it gets overshadowed by their in-state rival approximately 70 miles southeast of Lansing. But in recent years, not only have the Spartans produced first round draft selections like offensive tackle Jack Conklin and cornerbacks Darqueze Dennard and Trae Waynes, but it’s also the alma matter of quarterback Kirk Cousins of the Washington Redskins. In fact, in 2017, Michigan State University had more starting quarterbacks in the NFL than any other college in America: Cousins, Drew Stanton, and Brian Hoyer.

18. UCLA — Under (now former) head coach Jim Mora Jr., the UCLA Bruins produced a steady pipeline of prospects into the NFL in recent years. In 2014, outside linebacker Anthony Barr became a top-10 selection by the Minnesota Vikings, and an eventual Pro Bowl selection. Coincidentally, Vikings inside linebacker Eric Kendricks, drafted in 2015, also came from UCLA. Continuing that pipeline of defensive players, linebacker Myles Jack was one of the top prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft, and the Atlanta Falcons selected edge rusher Takkarist McKinley in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

17. Penn State — The school that was once referred to as “Linebacker U” may not produce the same legendary players at that position in the NFL, but there’s still a steady stream of players going from Happy Valley into the pro’s. Guys like NaVorro Bowman, Paul Posluzny, Sean Lee, and Tamba Hali are former Nittany Lions who have carried the torch at the linebacker position, while offensive linemen Donovan Smith of Tampa Bay, A.Q. Shipley of Arizona, and guard Stefen Wisniewski of Philadelphia are all Penn State alums as well.

16. University of Utah — We don’t think of Salt Lake City as a place that develops future professional football players, but the University of Utah has produced more NFL players than some of the more prestigious schools on this list. What Utah lacks in star power at the professional level, they make up for in quantity. Sure, there are guys like quarterback Alex Smith and safety Eric Weddle that many people will recognize, but the school has also produced more familiar names in recent years like running back Devontae Booker and offensive tackle Garrett Bolles of the Denver Broncos, and outside linebacker Nate Orchard of the Cleveland Browns.

15. Notre Dame — One of the greatest college football programs in the nation still puts players into the NFL on a regular basis. It doesn’t appear there will ever be a time when NFL scouts won’t make multiple visits to South Bend, Indiana, to see which pro prospects are playing for the University of Notre Dame. The list of current alums of the football program now in the NFL is extensive, including tight end Tyler Eifert, wide receivers Will Fuller and Golden Tate, offensive linemen (and brothers) Zack Martin and Nick Martin, safety Harrison Smith, and most recently quarterback DeShone Kizer, among many others.

14. University of California — Don’t overlook the University of California because you think it’s full of a bunch of brainy kids living in Berkley. Under head coaches like Jeff Tedford and Sonny Dykes, the Golden Bears have produced a lot of notable alumni. First and foremost, there’s future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Running back Marshawn Lynch went to Cal. So did wide receivers Keenan Allen of the Los Angeles Chargers and DeSean Jackson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And most recently, there was quarterback Jared Goff — the #1 overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft — and then Davis Webb, a third round selection by the New York Giants in 2017.

13. University of Wisconsin — You want to talk about headliners? The top three alumni of the University of Wisconsin can probably stand with the top three out of any other school in the nation: J.J. Watt, the best defensive player of the past decade; offensive tackle Joe Thomas, who’s been the best offensive lineman of the past decade; and quarterback Russell Wilson, a three-time Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl XLVIII champion. And that’s not even mentioning the rich history that the school has had at running back, starting from Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne, and continuing in recent times with guys like Melvin Gordon, James White, and Corey Clement.

12. University of Oklahoma — If you’ve wondered how the University of Oklahoma has dominated the Big 12 for the better part of the last two decades, just take a look at all the incredibly talented players the Sooners have had, and put into the NFL. Over the past decade, perennial Pro Bowl nominees like future Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson, offensive tackle Trent Williams, and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy were all top 10 picks in the NFL Draft. Along with Peterson, Oklahoma has produced running backs like DeMarco Murray, as well as Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine (both taken in the 2017 NFL Draft). And, of course, don’t forget Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Sam Bradford, the #1 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

11. Auburn University — Auburn University has seen success ebb and flow in recent years, but the same can’t be said about their pool of players who moved on to the NFL. Obviously, the biggest name on this list is quarterback Cam Newton, the #1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Offensive tackle Greg Robinson didn’t pan out in the NFL, but was the #2 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Outside linebaker Dee Ford was also a first round pick that year. Linebacker Karlos Dansby had a long and successful NFL career. Running backs Cameron Artis-Payne and Peyton Barber are key reserves at running backs for their respective teams as well.

10. University of Michigan — Whether the coach was Bo Schembechler, Lloyd Carr, Jim Harbaugh, or any of the forgettable guys in between, Ann Arbor will always be the home of future NFL stars. After all, this where Tom Brady, perhaps the greatest quarterback of all time, went to school. Taylor Lewan carries the tradition of great offensive linemen from Michigan. Wide receiver Devin Funchess is a Michigan man, as is pass rushing ace Frank Clark. Fast forward to the 2017 NFL Draft, when the Wolverines had eight players end up on NFL rosters, headlined by first round picks Taco Charlton and Jabrill Peppers.

9. Clemson University — Head coach Dabo Swinney certainly put Clemson University back in the national spotlight, but they’ve always had a very good supply of players headed to the NFL. But under Swinney, the caliber of players that have gone pro is pretty amazing. Starting at wide receiver, you have Sammy Watkins, Martavis Bryant, DeAndre Hopkins, Jaron Brown, Adam Humphries, Charone Peake, and Mike Williams. Outside linebacker Vic Beasley Jr., who led the NFL in sacks in 2016, went to Clemson. So did cornerbacks Byron Maxwell, Mackensie Alexander, and Cordrea Tankersley. And last, but certainly not least, let’s not forget quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was the most exciting rookie in 2017 before tearing his ACL.

8. University of Georgia — There’s a reason why Georgia finally decided to part ways with former head coach Mark Richt. You could make the argument that no team in the nation underperformed as consistently over the past two decades as the University of Georgia, given the ridiculous amount of talent collected over the years in Athens. Matthew Stafford, A.J. Green, Justin Houston, Geno Atkins, and Todd Gurley are some of the best players at their respective positions in the NFL; all of them played for the Bulldogs at one point. If you go down a tier to the “solid to really good” NFL players, there’s Thomas Davis, Reshad Jones, and Alec Ogletree. Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd was a top 12 selection in the 2016 NFL Draft.

7. Florida State University — It might not be quite the same as it was back in the Bobby Bowden era, but head coach Jimbo Fisher has rebuilt Florida State University into both a national powerhouse, and a hotbed for NFL talent. First and foremost, there’s quarterback Jameis Winston, who won the Heisman Trophy and was taken with the #1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, a top five selection in the ensuing draft, has already become one of the very best cornerbacks in the pro’s. Running back Devonta Freeman was instrumental in Atlanta’s Super Bowl run in 2016. Cornerback Xavier Rhodes is one of the best — if not underrated — cornerbacks in the NFL as well. When he recovers from the torn ACL he sustained this year, watch out for running back Dalvin Cook in Minnesota as well; he has all the makings of a future NFL star.

6. Ohio State University — Whether it was Jim Tressel or Urban Meyer coaching the team, no school north of the Mason-Dixon line has produced more NFL talent than “the” Ohio State University. Starting from veterans like Ted Ginn Jr., Malcolm Jenkins, and Cameron Hayward, to more recent stars like Ezekiel Elliott, Joey Bosa, Michael Thomas, and Marshon Lattimore (the front runner for the 2017 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year), Ohio State has produced as much elite NFL talent as almost any program in the nation.

5. University of Miami — USC and Alabama may have dominated college football in the 2000’s, but the legacy built by the University of Miami Hurricanes from the early 1990’s onwards is perhaps unmatched in the nation. While the current program is a far cry from the squads that dominated the early 2000’s, Miami still boasts a ton of talent currently on NFL rosters. Ageless running back Frank Gore is one of the few remnants of those great Miami teams. Defensive lineman Calais Campbell, who’s been one of the best defensive players in football in 2017, came out of Miami. Running backs like Lamar Miller and Duke Johnson Jr. followed in Gore’s footsteps. The list of NFL tight ends from Miami is really impressive: Greg Olsen, Jimmy Graham, and David Njoku (taken in the 2017 NFL Draft).

4. USC — Even though the Trojans of Southern California have spent most of the last decade rebuilding themselves in the post Pete Carroll-era, that hasn’t affected the level of talent that have come to play football in Troy. Carson Palmer is the senior statesman among Trojan alums. Linebackers Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews III are some of the last players on those great national championship teams of the early 2000’s. Defensive end Everson Griffen, the current leader in sacks in 2017, went to USC. Offensive tackle Tyron Smith, one of the very best in the NFL at his position, is also a USC guy. Defensive lineman Leonard Williams was one of the best prospects in the 2015 NFL Draft coming out of USC. Wide receivers Robert Woods, Nelson Agholor, and Marqise Lee were all Trojans as well. Heck, even quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Matt Barkley are still in the league as well.

3. University of Florida — When Urban Meyer became the head coach in Gainesville in 2005, he rebuilt the road that took University of Florida football players into the NFL. But even after Meyer’s departure, the pipeline of players established remained quite full, as evidenced by the number of guys being drafted in recent years. Over the last three NFL Drafts, the Gators have produced first rouund picks like defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (2015) and linebacker Jarrad Davis (2017). Then there are cornerbacks Vernon Hargreaves III, Jalen “Teez” Tabor, and Quincy Wilson, or safeties Keanu Neal, Marcus Maye, and Jaylen Watkins. If you go back a few years, you can also include offensive players like linemen (and brothers) Maurkice and Mike Pouncey, tight end Jordan Reed, and running back Mike Gillislee.

2. University of Alabama — Under head coach Nick Saban, the University of Alabama isn’t just a football team; it’s damn near a preparatory school for future NFL players. It’s almost overwhelming to think about all the guys that have gone from Tuscaloosa into the pro’s. At linebacker, there’s C.J. Mosley, Dont’a Hightower, Mark Barron, along with Reuben Foster and Tim Williams from the 2017 NFL Draft. At running back, there’s Mark Ingram, Eddie Lacy, Derrick Henry, TJ Yeldon, and Kenyan Drake; that list includes two Heisman Trophy recipients. Wide receivers Julio Jones and Amari Cooper both played for the Tide. Safeties HaHa Clinton-Dix and Landon Collins played for the Tide as well. The talent they continue to accumulate and develop at Alabama is increidlb.e

1. LSU — When you look at the list of current NFL players who were once members of the Louisiana State University Tigers football program, it looks more like an All-Pro team. The embarassment of riches this school had, in terms of football talent, is startling. Let’s start at defensive back, because the history at that position that the Tigers have had is mind boggling; Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, Morris Claiborne, Delvin Breaux, Eric Reid, Jalen Mills, and most recently Jamal Adams and Tre’Davious White all played at LSU. That’s a depth chart that any NFL team would kill to have. But it only gets crazier. Wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry were once the team’s starting wide receivers. At running back, they had Jeremy Hill, Alfred Blue, and most recently Leonard Fournette. The offensive line? How about Andrew Whitworth, Trai Turner, La’el Collins, and Ethan Pocic. The only reason this team didn’t dominate the last two decades of college football is because of their inconsistency at quarterback.

Originally written as a freelance opportunity for TheSportsDrop.com