How Many D2 Players Are In The NFL?
Contents
How Many D2 Players Are In The NFL? That’s a good question and one that we’ll try to answer in this blog post. We’ll take a look at the NFL’s history with D2 players and try to determine just how many are currently in the league.
What is D2 football?
D2 football is the second level of intercollegiate football in the United States. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II level includes all schools that are not members of Division I or are not Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) members.
D2 football is a lower division of football than D1. There are fewer D2 football teams and players than D1 teams and players. As a result, there are fewer D2 players in the NFL than D1 players.
The level of competition in D2 football
There are many different levels of competition in college football. The highest level is Division I, which is made up of the largest and most prestigious schools in the country. This is where you’ll find the nation’s top talent playing against each other in front of huge crowds.
Division II is the next level down. These schools are often smaller than Division I schools, and the level of competition is not as high. However, there are still some very good players in Division II, and many of them go on to have successful careers in the NFL.
In recent years, there have been a number of Division II players who have made it to the NFL. Among them are Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles, Pro Bowl wide receiver Anquan Boldin, and Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle. There are also several active Division II players who are starting or starring on NFL teams, such as linebacker Deion Jones of the Atlanta Falcons and defensive end Brandon Graham of the Philadelphia Eagles.
So far this season, there have been 103 Division II players on NFL rosters. That’s more than 2% of all NFL players! It’s safe to say that Division II football is well-represented at the highest level of competition.
The number of D2 football players in the NFL
The number of D2 football players in the NFL has been on the rise in recent years. In 2016, there were 14 D2 players on NFL rosters, and that number increased to 21 in 2017. That’s an increase of 50%.
The trend seems to be continuing in 2018, as there are currently 32 D2 players on NFL rosters. That’s an increase of 52% from 2017.
Why is this trend happening? It could be because more and more people are realizing that D2 football is a viable path to the NFL. It could also be because the level of play in D2 football has been getting better and better each year.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear that the number of D2 football players in the NFL is on the rise.
The benefits of playing D2 football
Division 2 football is the perfect stepping stone for football players looking to play at the collegiate level. D2 colleges are typically smaller schools that compete in regional conferences. These schools generally have less scholarships to offer than Division 1 programs, but they are still able to provide a high-quality football experience.
D2 schools often attract top high school recruits who were not quite good enough to earn a spot on a Division 1 roster. These players can use their time in Division 2 to develop their skills and earn a starting spot on their team. Many D2 players go on to have successful careers in the NFL. In fact, there are currently more than 200 D2 alumni playing in the NFL.
If you are looking for a competitive football experience without the pressure of Division 1 scholarships, then Division 2 football is the right choice for you. With more than 200 D2 products currently playing in the NFL, there is no better proving ground for your talents.
The downside of playing D2 football
There are only around 100 D2 players in the NFL. Most of them are lower-level backups or special teams players. A few have managed to carve out decent careers, but they are the exception rather than the rule.
The vast majority of NFL players come from big-time college programs like Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, etc. They have the benefit of better coaching, better facilities, and more exposure to scouts. They also tend to be bigger and faster than D2 players.
Playing D2 football can be a great experience, but it’s important to understand the odds before you make the decision. If your goal is to play in the NFL, you’re realistically looking at about a 1% chance of making it if you’re coming from a D2 school.