What College Produced the Most NFL Players?
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The answer may surprise you – it’s not USC or Alabama. Check out our list of the colleges that have produced the most NFL players.
NFL Players by College
The NFL is a league that is full of former collegiate athletes. While many come from the big name schools, there are players that come from schools of all shapes and sizes. The league is also made up of players from all different types of college programs. Wondering which college produces the most NFL players? Here is a look at the colleges with the most NFL players.
University of Miami
The University of Miami has produced more NFL players than any other college, according to a new study.
The study, conducted by the sports analysis website FiveThirtyEight, looked at data from the NFL’s official player database and found that the University of Miami had produced a total of 58 NFL players as of the end of the 2017 season. That’s more than any other college, including traditional football powers like Notre Dame (57), Ohio State (48) and USC (47).
So what makes Miami such a hotbed for NFL talent?
For one thing, the school has a long history of sending players to the league. The first Miami player was drafted in 1927, and the school has had at least one player selected in every NFL draft since 1967. That consistency is impressive, but it’s also worth noting thatMiami has had more than 20 players drafted in five different drafts since 1977. In other words, not only is Miami consistently sending players to the NFL, but it’s also regularly cranking out large numbers of prospects.
In recent years, Miami has also been able to attract some of the country’s top high school recruits. The Hurricanes have had at least one player selected in the first round of the NFL draft in each of the last 17 years, and they’ve had two or more first-rounders in eight of those years. In 2017, four Hurricane natives were taken in the first round: tight end David Njoku (29th overall), defensive end Charles Harris (22nd), linebacker Raekwon McMillan (54th) and quarterback Brad Kaaya (215th).
So if you’re looking to play in the NFL, Miami is definitely worth considering. The school has a proven track record of sending players to the league, and it’s regularly attracting some of the country’s top recruits.
Ohio State University
As of the 2019 NFL season, there are a total of 56 former Ohio State University players on active NFL rosters. This is the most of any college in the nation. The University of Alabama is second with 53 players, and the University of Miami (FL) is third with 47 players.
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame has the most NFL players of any college, with 288 alumni currently in the league. Miami (FL) is second with 267 players, while Ohio State rounds out the top three with 238 NFL representatives.
The NFL’s Top Colleges
The National Football League is the highest level of professional football in the United States. The NFL is made up of 32 teams, and each team has 53 players on its roster. These rosters are made up of the best football players in the world. But where do these players come from?
University of Alabama
Since 1920, the University of Alabama has had 299 NFL players drafted, which is the most of any college. That includes 22 first-round picks and two Hall of Famers in Don Hutson and Bart Starr. The Crimson Tide have had at least one player taken in every NFL Draft since 1963 and have had 55 total first-round picks in school history.
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University has produced the most NFL players of any college in the past decade, according to a recent study. With nearly 60 players currently in the NFL, LSU tops the list of colleges with the most representation in the league.
The study, conducted by Bleacher Report, looked at data from the past 10 NFL seasons (2008-2017) to see which colleges have sent the most players to the league. In that time frame, LSU has had 59 players drafted into the NFL, including 14 first-round picks. That’s an average of nearly six draft picks per season.
Players from LSU have gone on to have successful careers in the NFL, with many winning Super Bowls and individual awards. Most recently, former LSU star cornerback Patrick Peterson was named to his seventh Pro Bowl team. Peterson, who was drafted fifth overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 2011, is one of the best defensive backs in the league and has been selected as a first-team All-Pro three times.
Other colleges that have produced a lot of NFL talent over the past decade include Alabama (57 draft picks), Florida (56), USC (48), Ohio State (46) and Oklahoma (45).
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma has sent more players to the NFL than any other school, with 270 draft picks since 1937. Not only has Oklahoma produced the most NFL players of any college, but it also boasts the most first-round picks in NFL history. The Sooners have had 47 players taken in the first round, including eight No. 1 overall picks.
