What High School Has Produced The Most NFL Players?
High school football is a big deal in the United States. Every year, thousands of young men compete for the chance to play at the collegiate level. And, for a select few, the dream of playing in the NFL becomes a reality.
So, what high school has produced the most NFL players? The answer may surprise you.
NFL Players by High School
While many NFL players come from powerhouse college football programs, some of the league’s best players come from small high schools across the country. So, which high school has produced the most NFL players?
Miami Norland Senior High School
Miami Norland Senior High School has produced the most NFL players of any high school in the United States, with 33 players having been drafted into the league since its inception. The school is located in Miami, Florida and is a part of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools district. Norland Senior High School has had a long history of success in producing football players, with former students including Pro Football Hall of Famers Michael Irvin and Sean Taylor.
Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has produced more NFL players than any other high school in the country. As of September 2020, there have been 43 NFL players who attended Saint Thomas Aquinas, including stars like Phillip Buchanon, Vernon Carey, and Michael Irvin.
Long Beach Polytechnic High School
Long Beach Polytechnic High School in California has produced more NFL players than any other high school in the country. As of 2019, there have been 78 NFL players who attended Long Beach Poly, including stars like DeSean Jackson, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and James Lofton.
NFL Players by Position
High school football players have a dream of someday playing in the NFL. While the odds of making it to the NFL are slim, there are a few high schools that have sent more players to the NFL than any others. Let’s take a look at the top five high schools that have produced the most NFL players.
Quarterbacks
In the National Football League (NFL), the quarterback is the leader of the offense. They play a critical role in game-planning and are often considered the most important player on the field. High school quarterbacks often have a lot of pressure on them to perform, as they are often looked at as the leaders of their team.
NFL quarterbacks must be able to read defenses and make quick decisions, often under duress. As such, many NFL quarterbacks come from programs that ran sophisticated offenses in high school or college. Here is a list of some of the most successful NFL quarterbacks, along with their high school alma maters.
-Tom Brady (Serra High School, CA)
-Drew Brees (Westlake High School, TX)
-Peyton Manning (Isidore Newman School, LA)
-Aaron Rodgers (Pleasant Valley High School, IA)
-Ben Roethlisberger (Findlay High School, OH)
Running Backs
In the National Football League (NFL), the running back (RB) is the player who lines up in the backfield and carries the ball on most running plays, i.e. plays from scrimmage where the primary objective is to run with the ball rather than pass it. There are usually one or two running backs on the field for a given play, depending on the offensive formation. A given running back may be referred to as a “featured back” if he is expected to be the primary ball carrier, or as part of a “running back committee” if he is not.
Wide Receivers
Receivers and tight ends are the offensive players who catch passes. Wide receivers line up split wide, often at the sideline. They use their speed to get open for short and long passes.
NFL teams are required to have 53 players on their roster. But they can dress only 46 for each game. So every team has several players who are “inactive.” These are usually young players who are not yet good enough to play, or veterans who are injured and cannot play.
Tight Ends
The tight end position has increasingly become more important in the NFL in recent years, as teams look for players who can both block and catch the ball. While there are many great tight ends in the league today, we wanted to take a look at which high schools have produced the most NFL tight ends.
Here are the top five high schools that have produced the most NFL tight ends:
1. Dallas Jesuit (TX): 9
2. Southern Methodist University (TX): 8
3. Ohio State University: 7
4. Notre Dame University: 6
5. Brigham Young University: 5
Offensive Linemen
High school football players go on to play in the NFL in a variety of positions. Some positions are more common than others, and offensive linemen are one of the most common. Many NFL teams have several offensive linemen on their rosters, and these players play a vital role in protecting the quarterback and opening up holes for running backs.
So which high school has produced the most NFL offensive linemen? The answer may surprise you. According to Pro Football Reference, nearly 60 high schools have produced at least 10 NFL offensive linemen. The school with the most is St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio, which has produced 28 NFL offensive linemen.
Other schools that have produced a large number of NFL offensive linemen include being Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (27), De La Salle High School in Concord, California (26), and Boys Town High School in Omaha, Nebraska (24). Many of these schools are known for their football programs, and they have sent a large number of players to the NFL over the years.
If you’re interested in playing offensive line in the NFL, attending one of these high schools could give you a better chance of achieving your dream.
Defensive Linemen
In the NFL, there are typically two types of defensive linemen- those that play on the interior of the line, and those that play on the edge. Edge rushers are usually taller, longer, and leaner than interior lineman, and their job is to get after the quarterback. Interior linemen are typically shorter and stockier, and their job is to clog up lanes and stop the run.
High school football programs across the country produce a ton of NFL talent every year, but some schools have been more successful than others at putting players in the league. Here’s a look at which high school has produced the most NFL defensive linemen over the last decade.
Linebackers
Over the years, a number of NFL players have come from high schools all across the United States. Some schools have produced more NFL players than others, and this is especially true when it comes to linebackers.
Here is a list of the top 10 high schools that have produced the most NFL linebackers:
1. Long Beach Polytechnic (CA): 28 NFL linebackers
2. De La Salle High School (CA): 23 NFL linebackers
3. Warren G. Harding High School (OH): 21 NFL linebackers
4. Theodore Roosevelt High School (NY): 20 NFL linebackers
5. Saint Thomas Aquinas High School (FL): 19 NFL linebackers
6. Miami Northwestern Senior High School (FL): 18 NFL linebackers
7. Permian High School (TX): 16 NFL linebackers
8. Bishop Amat Memorial High School (CA): 15 NFL linebackers
9. Sister Carrie Ewald Memorial StadiumHigh School (MI): 15 NFL linebackers
10. St. Anne’s-Belfield School (VA): 14 NFL linebackers
Defensive Backs
Since the NFL began tracking high school football programs that have sent the most players to the pros, Long Beach Polytechnic High School in California has topped the list with 77 defensive backs.
NFL Players by College
Since the NFL began in 1920, there have been many football players that have come through the ranks of high school football and gone on to have successful NFL careers. But which high school has produced the most NFL players? Let’s take a look.
University of Miami
The University of Miami has produced more than 300 NFL players, the most of any school. The school’s football program began in 1926, and UM has been a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference since 2004.
Ohio State University
Since the NFL began in 1920, Ohio State University has had 296 players drafted into the league, which is the most of any school. The Buckeyes have also had 39 first-round picks, which is tied for the most with USC. In total, Ohio State has had 81 players selected in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft.
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame has produced more NFL players than any other school, with Manning (who played for the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos) leading the way. He was followed by fellow quarterbacks Brady (New England Patriots) and Montana (San Francisco 49ers). Other notable Notre Dame NFL players include Tim Brown (Oakland Raiders), Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts), Alan Page (Minnesota Vikings), Jerome Bettis (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Joe Theismann (Washington Redskins).
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California has a long and storied history ofproducing some of the best NFL players in the league. With more than 80players drafted into the NFL since 2010, USC is one of the most successfulcolleges when it comes to getting players into the league.
Some of the most successful USC alumni in the NFL include Matt Barkley, who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013; Taylor Mays, who played for the San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals; and Nelson Agholor, who is currently playing for the Philadelphia Eagles. Other notable USC alumni in the NFL include Mark Sanchez, Reggie Bush, and Carson Palmer.
University of Texas
The University of Texas has produced more NFL players than any other college, with 354 players drafted as of 2020. That includes 31 first-round picks and seven Hall of Famers. The school’s all-time leading NFL draft pick is quarterback Tom Brady, who was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.