Which College Has the Most Active NFL Players?
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We took a look at the colleges with the most active NFL players to see which ones are really cranking out the pros.
The NFL’s Top Colleges
Football is a demanding sport that requires speed, strength, and agility. NFL scouts looks for players with the potential to be the next big thing. So, which college has the most active NFL players? The answer might surprise you.
The University of Miami
Since the school’s founding in 1926, The University of Miami has become one of the nation’s premier institutions for higher education. Located in Coral Gables, Florida, just outside of downtown Miami, the school has produced three Heisman Trophy winners, 59 All-Americans, and nine national champions in football.
The University of Miami is also one of the top producers of NFL talent. As of September 2020, there are a total of 41 former ‘Canes in the NFL, tied for the fifth most of any college. Here is a look at the five schools with the most active NFL players:
1. USC – 54
2. Ohio State – 52
3. Alabama – 50
4. Florida – 48
5. Miami (FL) – 41
The University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame has the most active NFL players of any college, with a total of 49 players currently on NFL rosters. This is more than twice the number of any other college, with the second-most active NFL school being the University of Miami, with 23 players.
Notre Dame’s success in producing NFL talent is even more impressive when you consider that the school has only been playing football for less than 150 years. Notre Dame was founded in 1842, and didn’t start playing football until 1887. In comparison, schools like Alabama and Ohio State have been playing football for over a century.
The 49 Notre Dame alumni currently on NFL rosters includes some of the league’s biggest stars, such as Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and Los Angeles Rams defensive end Joey Bosa. Wilson is a two-time Super Bowl champion and was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2014, while Bosa is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2016.
The University of Southern California
The University of Southern California has the most active NFL players of any college, with 56 currently on active rosters. This is followed by the University of Miami (47), Ohio State University (46), Penn State University (42), and the University of Notre Dame (40).
The NFL’s Most Active Colleges
Clemson leads the way with 44 former players currently on NFL rosters, while Alabama is second with 43. Ohio State, Florida State, and LSU round out the top five. What these colleges have in common is a historic commitment to landing top recruits and developing them into NFL-caliber athletes.
The University of Miami
The University of Miami’s football program has produced a large number of professional football players since its establishment in 1926. As of 2019, Miami has the most active NFL players of any college, with 59 players on active rosters. The school is also tied for the second-most first-round NFL draft picks in history, with 28.
The University of Miami’s success in producing professional football players is due in part to the school’s rigorous recruiting process. The school actively recruits student-athletes who have the potential to succeed at the professional level, and provides them with top-notch facilities and coaching. Miami also has a strong tradition of success at the collegiate level, which helps to attract talented high school football players.
The University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame ranks first among NFL prospects, with 43 active players in the league. This is followed by Ohio State University and the University of Miami, which both have 33 active players in the NFL.
The University of Southern California
The University of Southern California has the most active NFL players, with 52 former Trojans currently on NFL rosters. This is more than double the number of any other college, and USC’s total includes 11 players who were first-round picks in the NFL Draft.
USC has had a long tradition of sending players to the NFL, dating back to the early days of the league. In fact, USC has had at least one player selected in every NFL Draft since 1936. The Trojans have also had more than 200 players drafted in total, which is more than any other college.
Notably, USC has produced a number of Pro Football Hall of Famers, including Ronnie Lott, Marcus Allen, and Tony Romo. USC also has the distinction of being the only college to have produced two Super Bowl MVPs: Larry Csonka (Super Bowl VIII) and Ricky Watters (Super Bowl XXIX).
