The 10 best colleges with the most NFL players in the league at the moment

The 10 best colleges with the most NFL players in the league at the moment

Kevin Omuya
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:23 PM

College football teams cannot win without talented players. It has long been agreed upon that a football program's success may be measured by its ability to attract talented young men, nurture their potential, and release them into the professional league's draft. Colleges with the most NFL players consistently send their best players to the NFL draft, thus having a leg up on the competition.

Colleges with the most NFL players
Iowa (14) Connor Keane runs the ball during the Rose Bowl Game between the Stanford Cardinal and the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. Stanford defeated Iowa 45-16. Photo: Chris Williams
Source: Getty Images

It is estimated that around 200 different educational institutions are represented on NFL rosters. Some of the best college teams have sent scores of alumni to the professional leagues. According to the NFL, these are the top 10 colleges with the most NFL players on active rosters at the moment.

10. University of Iowa

Colleges with the most NFL players
The Iowa football team gets ready before a non-conferenceC game between the Northern Iowa Panthers and the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 31-23. Photo: Keith Gillett
Source: Getty Images

Current NFL players: 31

The Iowa Hawkeyes have been playing college football for 124 years and have won 12 conference titles and one national title because of their physical players and strong defense. Since 1999, when Kirk Ferentz took over as head coach, the Hawkeyes have often challenged for the Big Ten title. T.J. Hockenson, a tight end for the Minnesota Vikings, and Micah Hyde, a safety for the Buffalo Bills, are two notable alumni currently playing in the NFL.

9. University of Oklahoma

List of colleges with the most NFL players
Quarterback Mayfield poses with fellow Trophy winners S. Owens, J. White, and K. Murray of the Oklahoma Sooners at Gylord Family Stadium on April 23, 2022, in Norman, Oklahoma. Photo: Brian Bahr
Source: Getty Images

Current NFL players: 32

The 2022 regular season ended with a 6-6 record for Oklahoma. The Sooners have been consistently successful since 2000, finishing in the top 10 AP polls, winning seven national titles, and having back-to-back Heisman Trophy winners in 2017 and 2018. QBs Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals), Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles), and Baker Mayfield (Los Angeles Rams) are among their distinguished alums.

8. University of Florida

List of colleges with the most NFL players
Florida Gators players prepare to run onto the field against the Michigan Wolverines and Florida Gators on September 2, 2017, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo: Matthew Visinsky
Source: Getty Images

Current NFL players: 33

The Florida Gators have won 24 of 47 bowl games throughout 110 seasons, and they have also won three national championships since 1996. While Tim Tebow's professional career may have been cut short, the Gators still have a strong presence in the NFL despite his status as the program's all-time leading passer and Heisman Trophy winner. There is a long list of Florida grads contributing at the NFL level, but defensive backs C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles), Keanu Neal (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and Kaiir Elam (Buffalo Bills) stand out.

7. University of Michigan

List of colleges with the most NFL players
Michigan State Wide Receiver Aaron Burbridge #86 of the North Team during the 2016 Resse's Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 30, 2016, in Mobile, Alabama. Photo: Don Juan Moore
Source: Getty Images

Current NFL players: 33

With consecutive Big Ten titles in 2021 and 2022 and berths in the CFP in both years, the winningest program in college football has returned to its customary supremacy in recent years. Of course, current head coach Jim Harbaugh was a player for Michigan, but when most people think of the Wolverines, they think of seven-time Super Bowl winner and former quarterback Tom Brady.

6. Pennsylvania State University—University Park

Top 10 colleges with the most NFL players
Former Penn State wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton makes a catch during Penn State Pro Day on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at Holuba Hall in University Park, Pa. Photo: Abby Drey
Source: Getty Images

Current NFL players: 35

While competing as an independent team from 1889 through 1992, the Penn State Nittany Lions won four national championships. They have since won four Big Ten titles and added 16 more bowl victories, bringing their total to 30 heading into the 2022-2023 bowl season. Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants and Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys are just two of their notable former players.

5. University of Notre Dame (IN)

Colleges with the most NFL players currently
Notre Dame University against the University of Southern California on November 5, 1966, at the Los Angeles Memorial in Los Angeles, California. Photo: James Flores
Source: Getty Images

Current NFL players: 37

Notre Dame has consistently attracted top-tier athletes for decades because of its rich history and the legacy of its renowned coaches, which dates back to 1899. As the 2022-2023 bowl season approaches, the football team can boast not one but thirteen national championships and forty bowl triumphs. Guard Quenton Nelson of the Indianapolis Colts and safety Harrison Smith of the Minnesota Vikings are just two of the professional talents that graduated from this school.

4. University of Georgia

Colleges with the most players on NFL rosters
Georgia Stetson Bennett (13), in action, huddles his team vs. TCU at SoFi Stadium. Inglewood, CA 1/9/2023 CREDIT: Kohjiro Kinno. Photo: Kohjiro Kinno
Source: Getty Images

Current NFL players: 44

Since 2016 when head coach Kirby Smart took over, the 2021 national champions and 2022 SEC winners have been producing professional players at an alarming rate. The 2022 NFL draft set a record for the number of picks made from a single college team, as fifteen Bulldogs were taken in the first seven rounds. Three current NFL stars, Nick Chubb (Cleveland Browns), A.J. Green (Arizona Cardinals), and Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams), attended the University of Georgia.

3. Louisiana State University—Baton Rouge

Colleges with the most NFL draft picks all time
LaFell #1 of the Louisiana State University Tigers against Weldon Brown #35 of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on November 10, 2007, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Photo: Chris Graythen
Source: Getty Images

Current NFL players: 52

The LSU Tigers have been a perennial strength in the SEC and beyond, amassing more than 800 wins and five national championships. The 2020 NFL draft featured five first-round picks from the 2019 national champions. Former Tigers who have gone on to become successful in the NFL range from wide receivers like Ja'Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals and Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings to defensive backs like Tyrann Mathieu of the New Orleans Saints and Jamal Adams of the Seattle Seahawks.

2. State University—Columbus

Current NFL players: 52

The Ohio State Buckeyes have won eight national titles, and seven Heisman Trophy winners have come from the program. The Buckeyes are a historically great team, having won 40 conference titles. However, they have performed especially well in recent years, making five appearances in the College Football Playoff since its inception in 2014. Both Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott and Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields are graduates of Ohio State University.

1. University of Alabama

Colleges with the most NFL players all time
The Alabama State University marching band is performing on stage at the NFL Kickoff presented by Verizon at Alamitos Beach in Long Beach on Thursday, September 8, 2022. Photo: Brittany Murray
Source: Getty Images

Current NFL players: 58

Since 2009, the Alabama Crimson Tide has won six national championships and has been the undisputed king of college football for much of the 21st century. When current head coach Nick Saban took over the team in 2007, it was the first time in 11 years that they had lost more than three games in a season.

Many Alabama football program alums are on the rosters of over half of the NFL's teams. Players like Minkah Fitzpatrick (now with the Pittsburgh Steelers), Julio Jones (now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and Derrick Henry (now with the Tennessee Titans) all starred under Saban at Alabama. Alabama is ranked first in the list of colleges with the most NFL players.

Colleges with the most NFL players all time

Colleges with the most NFL players all time
Clemson Tigers knockdown Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, California. Photo: Michael Zagaris
Source: Getty Images

For the record, 495 former Notre Dame athletes have gone on to play in the National Football League. Only three universities, Notre Dame, USC, and Ohio State have produced 400 or more NFL players in history. With 56 players, Alabama's roster in 2019 is the largest.

College with the most players on NFL rosters

The Crimson Tide has the most or is tied for the most players (58) on active NFL Week rosters for the sixth straight season. With 58 former Crimson Tide football players listed on NFL Week 1 roster, Alabama dominates collegiate football.

College with the most NFL draft picks all time

Out of all colleges, Notre Dame has produced 521 players selected in the NFL draft. Only five players in the program's history have been selected first overall.

What race has the most NFL players?

What race has the most NFL players?
Irv Smith #TE15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is seen at the 2019 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 1, 2019, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo: Michael Hickey
Source: Getty Images

The percentages of African-American athletes are the highest in the National Football League and the National Basketball Association. Of all NFL players in 2021, 58 percent were black or African American.

Who is the biggest active player in the NFL?

Most of the NFL's tallest players are on the offensive line. Green Bay Packers tackle Caleb Jones, Indianapolis Colts tackle Jordan Murray, San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Alfredo Gutierrez, New York Giants tackle Roy Mbaeteka, and tight end Austin Allen are all 6-foot-9.

How many NFL players are African American?

Even though black players make up over 70% of the league, the NFL has frequently admitted that there are not enough coaches and franchise executives of race.

The Alabama Crimson Tide is ranked first among the best colleges, with the most NFL players in the league. Fifty-three players are currently listed on their rosters. No former quarterbacks were starting in the NFL last season, but this year three are expected to: Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts, and Mac Jones.

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Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.