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Alabama currently boasts the most active NFL players, but plenty of other colleges have churned out NFL stars. From the Big 12 to the ACC, the National Football League has seen countless top talents produced from programs across the country. Curious to see how all of the schools stack up? Here’s the best active NFL player by university:
Missouri — Nick Bolton
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Bolton has deep roots in the state of Missouri. After starring for the Tigers in college, Kansas City nabbed him to be a focal point within its Super Bowl-winning defense. Bolton plays like his hair is on fire. He covers a ton of ground and is in many ways an emotional leader within the Chiefs’ defense. As it pertains to Missouri, Bolton is the clear best player hailing from Columbia. However, in another year or so the casual NFL fan might soon learn about WR Luther Burden III.
Louisville — Lamar Jackson
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Lamar Jackson was a Heisman trophy winner at Louisville, but still somehow slipped to the 32nd pick of the NFL Draft. He carried on his excellent play at the next level, twice being named NFL MVP thus far. Packers CB Jaire Alexander has come closest to reaching Jackson’s status as an NFL superstar. Alexander has played at an elite before but has struggled to stay on the field in recent years.
Duke — Daniel Jones
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Daniel Jones wins by default. He did enough during New York’s postseason run in 2022 to secure a multi-year deal. However, the Giants may regret signing the 26-year-old QB to said deal. Either way, none of the other former Blue Devils are impacting their current teams much. Once again, Duke proves that it’s a basketball school.
Kentucky — Josh Allen
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Kentucky’s football history isn’t quite as potent as the one on the basketball side of things. Still, through the hard work put in by Mark Stoops, UK is no longer the laughingstock of the SEC from a football standpoint. Far from it — as Kentucky is now a competitive entity in the SEC East. Josh Allen is the best player currently in the NFL hailing from Lexington. The rangy defensive end/outside linebacker is a two-time Pro Bowler. Having enjoyed arguably his best year as a pro in 2023, there’s still more room for Allen to vault up among the upper-echelon pass rushers in the league.
Virginia Tech — Tremaine Edmunds
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Virginia Tech’s pool of players is an even mix of older vets and younger talents. Among the established players, we’ve seen guys like Wyatt Teller, Kendall Fuller, and Tyrod Taylor enjoy varying levels of success. Christian Darrisaw is a franchise tackle in the making — and we’re still waiting for CB Caleb Farley to assert himself as one of the league’s better defensive backs. Falling in between both groups is two-time Pro Bowl LB Tremaine Edmunds. Edmunds just completed his sixth NFL season (first with the Bears), but is still just 25 years old. He’s a highly athletic player who helped turn Chicago’s defense around last season.
NC State — Joe Thuney
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Compared to the rest of the ACC, NC State has more current players than all but three other schools. A fair amount of skill players have found roles with their respective NFL clubs. Jacoby Brissett has proven capable when given a chance as a starting QB. Nyheim Hines is a versatile player who excels as a receiving back. WR Jakobi Meyers is coming off a strong season for the Raiders. Though, the best player is Kansas City guard Joe Thuney. Thuney is a four-time Super Bowl winner (two with the Patriots and two with the Chiefs) and has been named an All-Pro and Pro Bowler in each of the last two seasons.
Iowa State — Brock Purdy
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Even the most die-hard Iowa State fans couldn’t have predicted Brock Purdy’s rapid ascent. From ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ to MVP candidate, Purdy’s journey has been one of the most compelling stories in recent league history. While Purdy certainly plays in a QB-friendly environment, he’s played at a high level from the moment he debuted and deserves all the praise. However, we can’t count out RB Breece Hall from eventually taking this spot. Hall has the skills to be the best running back in the league, and should only benefit from Aaron Rodgers’ return to the field in 2024.
Texas Tech — Patrick Mahomes
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This one is pretty self-explanatory. A two-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP, Patrick Mahomes is viewed as the best player in the game today. And, he’s still just 28 years old. By the time his career is over, Mahomes may very well contend with Tom Brady’s list of accomplishments. He’s still a long way away from catching Brady, but he’s head and shoulders above anybody still playing.
TCU — Tre’Von Moehrig
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There have been a couple of misfires from TCU recently. The Chargers hope Quentin Johnston can become more of a factor in Year 2. WR Jalen Reagor was selected one spot ahead of Justin Jefferson and has been a complete disappointment. Las Vegas safety Tre’von Moehrig is the choice here. Moehrig struggled a bit through his first two years in the league but showed promise last year. The 2020 Jim Thorpe winner will need to shine in 2024 as he approaches free agency.
Boston College — Chris Lindstrom
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Ever since Matt Ryan began declining, it’s been another longtime Falcon who has carried the mantle for Boston College. That player is guard Chris Lindstrom who has routinely graded out as one of the best offensive linemen in the league. After an injury-riddled rookie campaign, Lindstrom has been a starter for the Falcons for the last four years. He was named an All-Pro in each of the last two seasons. At just 27 years old, the Falcons have an absolute stalwart up front for the foreseeable future.
South Carolina — Deebo Samuel
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The Gamecocks have had some electric players over the years. From a skill position standpoint, none have been as good as Samuel. During San Francisco’s run as a top team within the NFC, Samuel has been the straw stirring the proverbial drink. He’s been lined up as a running back, in the slot, as a returner, and even as a perimeter receiver. As versatile and tough as they come, there’s a uniqueness to his game that’s not seen very often in today’s NFL.
North Carolina — Josh Downs
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There are some slim pickings for former Tar Heels. Both veteran quarterbacks are completely out of the question. Mitch Trubisky and Sam Howell both seemed destined to be backup quarterbacks for the remainder of their careers. The same goes for running backs Michael Carter and Ty Chandler. Their most impactful defensive player last year was Pittsburgh’s Cole Holcomb who collected 31 tackles in eight games. Perhaps Drake Maye will take over this spot soon. We’ll give the nod to Colts wideout Josh Downs who had a fairly productive rookie campaign. It will be interesting to see how he does with starting QB Anthony Richardson back in the fold in 2024.
BYU — Fred Warner
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The best linebacker in the league takes BYU’s top spot with ease. Fred Warner plays at a different speed than most defenders and is constantly making plays at each level for the 49ers defense. The Cougars have produced a fair amount of good players in recent years. Warner’s division rival uncovered a gem last year in Puka Nacua. The Rams WR finished fourth in the league in receiving yards as a rookie. However, he’d have to be even better next year to bump Warner off his throne.
Texas A&M — Myles Garrett
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Garrett is on track to become a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He might possess the quickest first step off the edge of any player in today’s game. Built like a Greek God, he can either run around you OR run over you and not think twice about it. Cleveland’s ability to be a contender in a treacherous AFC North directly correlates to Garrett and his availability. If he stays healthy and is on the field, they have a chance to beat anyone. If he’s out for an extended period, the Browns’ playoff hopes are significantly hindered.
Wake Forest — Jessie Bates III
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The Demon Deacons are often seen as an afterthought in the ACC, but that could change with the recent talent they’ve acquired. WR A.T. Perry is a physical marvel who flashed for the Saints down the stretch as a rookie. The same goes for Rams lineman Kobie Turner who finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. Still, they have a long way to go in catching Jessie Bates in terms of production and accomplishments. Bates just finished his first season as an Atlanta Falcon and earned his second All-Pro selection.
Kansas State — Tyler Lockett
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You had to tune into Kansas State football anytime Tyler Lockett was on the field. Lockett was absolutely electric as a Wildcat, whether as a receiver or a returner. He terrorized the Big 12 for years before making the jump to the NFL. Lockett slipped to the third round in the draft and has made teams regret that decision ever since. He’s been one of the best deep-route weapons in the game for years.
Auburn– Derrick Brown
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Brown is the best player on what could be the worst team in the NFL this season. It’s a shame more people don’t get to watch him play, as Brown engulfs offensive linemen en route to stopping the run and pressuring quarterbacks. Like most elite linemen coming from the SEC, he has an abnormal combination of strength and athletic ability. There are a fair amount of Auburn players currently in the NFL. With that said, most of them are role players/fringe starters.
Virginia — Dontayvion Wicks
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If you don’t know who Green Bay receiver Dontayvion Wicks is yet, you will be introduced very soon. The Packers have compiled an exciting receiving corps filled with young, promising talents. Among them is Wicks – a former Virginia Cavalier who came on strong for the Packers during the second half of last season. Wicks is sure to produce solid numbers over the next few years catching passes from rising star QB Jordan Love.
Arkansas — Frank Ragnow
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Detroit’s run game is among the better ones in football. Dan Campbell wanted to have players capable of setting the tone up front — and Ragnow certainly fits the bill here. He’s one of the top interior offensive linemen in the game today. Super smart and devastatingly physical, he’s the heartbeat of the five-man unit up front in the Motor City. In fact, we think he’s probably one of the more underappreciated players in the NFL today.
Cincinnati — Travis Kelce
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Last season was the first time where Travis Kelce’s spot as the best player from Cincinnati looked vulnerable. Kelce put up the worst statistical season of his career. He looked a step slower and wasn’t nearly as proficient in the red zone as we’ve seen before. However, another strong postseason capped off with a third Super Bowl win is enough to stave off stud CB Sauce Gardner for the moment. Gardner has now been named an All-Pro in each of his first two seasons and is steadily gaining on Kelce. We just can’t dismiss the all-time great TE just yet. Kelce can still get it done at the highest level when it matters most.
Houston — Tank Dell
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Tank Dell’s rookie season ended prematurely, but there’s still plenty to be hopeful for in Houston. Dell transferred to the University of Houston in 2020 and was one of the country’s top wideouts over his last two seasons. Playing in their backyard, the Houston Texans scooped up Dell in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Dell instantly showed a connection with fellow rookie CJ Stroud but played in just 11 games before suffering a fractured fibula. Once he returns, Dell will see even lighter coverages than before now that defenses have to worry about Stefon Diggs, as well.
Tennessee — Darnell Wright
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Part of Chicago’s current rebuild focused on shoring up the offensive line. Wright is a guy they keyed in on during the 2023 NFL Draft process, and such took him 10th overall. An all-rookie team selection, the ceiling is there for him to be a multi-time Pro Bowler. Tennessee as a whole is obviously a program with a rich tradition and history. Under Josh Heupel, the team has enjoyed varying levels of success. There’s a good bet we’ll see more Vols in the NFL next season — though they probably won’t possess Wright’s upside.
California — Aaron Rodgers
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Look at the four-time MVP grinning away as he watches his new team struggle — what a sight. Even coming off a torn Achilles, Rodgers gets the nod here as the best California Golden Bear currently playing in the NFL. Keenan Allen, Cam Jordan, and Jared Goff are all very good players, but Rodgers is a different animal. He won his fourth MVP in 2021 and should have a solid group of weapons to work with in 2024. Let’s see if he has another year or two in his Hall of Fame arm.
Florida — Anthony Richardson
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We’re projecting a bit on this one. Anthony Richardson has all of the talent in the world to one day be a quarterback competing for a Super Bowl. Far from a finished product, he’ll be coming back to lead an Indianapolis Colts team in what’s considered a wide-open division. While Richardson is a talent, this choice also speaks to how far Florida has fallen. The Gators simply aren’t churning out high-quality NFL talent like they used to in past decades. Something ultimately has to change in Gainesville…and quickly.
West Virginia — Geno Smith
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Not many Mountaineers have made noise in the NFL in recent years. The most obvious exception is Geno Smith who has successfully resurrected his career over the last two seasons. Smith became Seattle’s starter following Russell Wilson’s departure and has outplayed the former Super Bowl winner ever since. The gunslinging QB has always had talent, but 2022 was a breakout campaign that saw Smith finish ninth in MVP voting and earn Comeback Player of the Year honors.
Pittsburgh — James Conner
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For the first time in his career, James Conner can say he’s the best former Pittsburgh player in the league. That’s largely because Aaron Donald announced his retirement following the 2023 season. Conner isn’t an overly flashy runner but has been plenty productive throughout his career. He seems to have a nose for the end zone, having notched 61 career touchdowns in 91 appearances (65 starts). Still, it’s a bit of a fall from grace for Pitt. We’re talking about a school that at one point had two of the league’s best defenders (Donald and Darrelle Revis) and a premier wideout (Larry Fitzgerald).
Ole Miss — A.J. Brown
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Lane Kiffin is turning this program into a juggernaut. It won’t be long until a plethora of Ole Miss players enter the league as difference-makers right away. AJ Brown unquestionably is the guy right now. As the lead receiver on one of the better offenses in the NFL, he’s a terrifying combination of sheer size and explosiveness. When healthy, he’s easily one of the most difficult covers for defensive backs. Defenders rarely disrupt Brown’s timing on routes, and even if you are in a position to stop him, he simply leaps over you and plucks the ball out of the air with his gigantic pair of hands.
Arizona State — Brandon Aiyuk
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The Arizona State Sun Devils have had a tough time as of late. As a result, there hasn’t been a ton of above-average talent pushed to the NFL through the school. However, ASU has a couple of very good former players currently starring in the NFL — Brandon Aiyuk and Rachaad White. White is a strong running back, but Aiyuk is currently at another level compared to his fellow Sun Devil. Set for his fifth year in the league, the wideout has improved each year. In 2023, Aiyuk caught 75 passes for a career-high 1,342 yards — and also scored seven touchdowns.
Florida State — Jalen Ramsey
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A three-time All-Pro selection and seven-time Pro Bowler, Jalen Ramsey has emerged as one of the game’s best. The Florida State product stands out due to his well-roundedness as a player. Several corners can cover at a high level. Only a few are willing participants in run support. Ramsey is elite at both skills. His size, speed, and agility have allowed him to keep up with the league’s top receivers. Look for either Brian Burns or Derwin James Jr. to take the mantle as Ramsey approaches the latter stages of his career.
Miami — Jaelan Phillips
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The Hurricanes have been in a severe drought of producing NFL stars. In the early 2000s, it seemed like every year they were churning out multiple Pro Bowlers. Today, Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips is the only player considered to be of that caliber. Phillips was playing some of his best football to date before going down with a season-ending injury in 2023. The next, best case would probably be for Browns TE David Njoku. The gifted pass catcher is coming off his best year as a pro and will look to crack into the elite group of tight ends next season.
Northwestern — Rashawn Slater
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Northwestern doesn’t have a whole lot of alumni in the NFL at this point. We’ll have to see how recent first-round pick Peter Skoronski does for the Titans in the next few years. With that said, Slater is the best of the 15 ex-Wildcats currently on NFL rosters. With Jim Harbaugh now entrenched as the Chargers’ head coach, you can bet the run game will be prioritized. This facet should help Slater highlight his skills even further. He’s a powerful, athletic guy with considerable upside.
Maryland — Stefon Diggs
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Recently dealt to Houston, Diggs could quickly emerge as a favorite target for CJ Stroud. Over the last few seasons, Diggs has proven to quietly be one of the best WRs in the AFC. Sneaky-fast with explosive ability after the catch, he made a name for himself catching passes from Josh Allen. Now in a new situation, it’ll be curious to see whether Diggs can reestablish himself as a top-flight pass-catching threat in this league. His reputation has taken a bit of a dip over the last 12 months.
Baylor — Xavien Howard
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Xavien Howard’s best days are likely behind him. At his peak, Howard was a ball hawk who created turnovers at a league-high rate. The 30-year-old corner has 29 career interceptions and picked off a league-high 10 passes in 2020. Among current players, next-in-line for Baylor is another defensive back in Houston’s Jalen Pitre. The 24-year-old safety is one of many young Houston defenders looking to lead a stingy group in 2024.
Wisconsin — T.J. Watt
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This one is a no-brainer. Following in his brother’s footsteps, Watt is arguably the best defensive player in the NFL to date. It’s one thing to be explosive with straight-line speed, but it’s another to be cat-quick laterally. Watt has tremendous bend off the edge. He’s powerful enough to dislodge pro offensive tackles from their spots. Once he disengages, he’s then able to work his way around the edge efficiently en route to the quarterback. Whether it’s accruing sacks or creating turnovers, Watt is undeniably a future Hall of Famer.
Stanford — Christian McCaffrey
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Seven years into his promising career, Christian McCaffrey has already blossomed into one of the most dangerous players the NFL has ever seen. In Year 2, the Stanford great rushed for 1,098 yards and hauled in 107 passes for 867 additional yards. In 2019, McCaffrey exploded for 1,387 rushing yards, 15 rushing touchdowns, and hauled in 116 passes for 1,005 yards and four scores. Last year, CMC led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards — he also scored 14 times on the ground and added over 500 yards and seven TDs through the air. Only 27, McCaffrey has plenty of time to improve his legacy.
Nebraska — Maliek Collins
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This isn’t your father’s Nebraska. Back in the 90s, this was a football factory — routinely getting guys to the league. As the program has plummeted and become relatively mediocre, the high-end talent heading into the NFL hasn’t been great. At this point, SF DT Maliek Collins is probably the best player currently in the NFL coming from Nebraska. Collins is a solid player, but it illustrates just how far this program has fallen from where it once was.
Utah — Jaylon Johnson
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The recipient of a new, lucrative contract with the Chicago Bears, Jaylon Johnson earned every cent he was given. Johnson was a good player through the first three years of his career and in 2023 he became one of the NFL’s top corners. The All-Pro snagged four interceptions despite teams often throwing to the other side of the field. Utah has produced some good pros in recent years (Garett Bolles, Marcus Williams) but Johnson is the biggest star.
Purdue — Raheem Mostert
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While KC defensive end George Karlaftis probably will take over this role sooner than later, the best player hailing from Purdue at this given time is Raheem Mostert. When describing his game, ‘suddenness’ is among the most apt adjectives. Mostert has exceptional burst out of the backfield. The split-second he takes getting through the hole and into the second level is something few backs can replicate. By doing so, he puts a ton of stress on opposing defenses. In Miami’s offensive scheme, he’s even more potent.
Washington State — Gardner Minshew
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This selection came down to three players — Gardner Minshew, Jalen Thompson, and Frankie Luvu. Ultimately, the quarterback reigned supreme. Minshew has spent his career shifting from QB1 to QB2. Last year, the veteran rose to the occasion for the Colts when rookie Anthony Richardson went down with a season-ending injury. In his place, Minshew threw for over 3,300 yards and won seven games en route to a Pro Bowl bid. While he didn’t perform well in Indianapolis’ last game when a playoff berth was on the line, Minshew impressed the Raiders enough to warrant a shot at competing to be their starting QB in 2024.
Minnesota — Antoine Winfield Jr.
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The ex-Golden Gopher is a stud player. He plays bigger than his smallish frame would indicate (just like Antoine Sr. did for the Buffalo Bills). Winfield Jr. has established himself as one of the best safeties in football. He reads the game exceptionally well and reacts accordingly when asked to help in run support or trackback on deep shots downfield. At only 25 years of age (as of April 2024), Winfield Jr. should be a fixture in Tampa for years to come.
Oregon State — Brandin Cooks
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Brandin Cooks may be one of the most underrated players of the past decade. Now approaching his 31st birthday, Cooks has been a productive receiver dating back to his rookie season. Overall, the former Beaver has finished six seasons with 1,000-plus yards — and has accomplished the feat with four different teams. Despite some fans believing Cooks isn’t durable, he has appeared in 13 or more games in all but one year — his rookie season. While he may be on the backend of his career, Cooks remains a solid wideout.
Illinois — Devon Witherspoon
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Witherspoon has the look of a shutdown corner. Pete Carroll nabbed him as a top-five pick before eventually departing. However, being a defensive genius of sorts with a specialty in defensive backs, Carroll’s decision to take Witherspoon should tell you all you need to know about his future. He broke through and made the Pro Bowl this past year after demonstrating some elite skills both in coverage and in terms of making plays on the ball. Assuming he stays healthy, he’ll carry the proverbial flag for Illinois well into the future.
Clemson — Dexter Lawrence
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The Dabo Swinney-led Clemson Tigers have just been churning out NFL players at a massive scale. Not too many schools can claim to have produced two franchise quarterbacks. Trevor Lawrence was regarded as one of the top QB prospects in years, and Deshaun Watson is currently the highest-paid player in the league. Though, neither played at an elite level in 2023. Three of the best contested-catch receivers in the league are former Tigers – DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Williams, and Tee Higgins. Defensive line play is their strong suit. New York’s Dexter Lawrence narrowly wins out over Raider free agent signing Christian Wilkins. Lawrence has a chance to emerge as the top defensive tackle in the league with Aaron Donald now retired.
Penn State — Micah Parsons
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There’s been a trend recently in the Big Ten, where elite defensive ends are coming into the league and making an impact right from the jump. Micah Parsons is one of the most talented players to come out of Penn State in years. His freakish athletic ability is virtually second to none. Rarely do you see a player with this sort of natural ability also possessing high-end football I.Q. He’s the present and future of the Dallas Cowboys franchise, and Jerry Jones needs to ensure that he does everything in his power to make Parsons happy at all costs. Dallas cannot afford to see him ever wear another uniform.
Mississippi State — Chris Jones
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Jones is a proven commodity in the NFL. Country strong with a very well-rounded game, there are few defensive linemen as good as him across the board. Normally, starters up front have a specialty — whether they’re pass rushers, space eaters, or run stuffers. Jones has proven to do all of these things at an incredibly high level. For as transcendent as Patrick Mahomes has been/continues to be, the Chiefs wouldn’t have won all of those Super Bowls without Jones and his presence.
UCLA — Kenny Clark
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UCLA has produced more NFL talent in recent years than many fans may realize. Linebackers Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr were stars for years, and current Raiders Kolton Miller and Andre James are entrenched in Vegas’ offensive line. With that being said, Kenny Clark is the best Bruin in the NFL and has been for quite some time. Green Bay’s star defensive tackle is a three-time Pro Bowler and can wreck games with his presence in the middle. In 2023, the star registered a career-high 7.5 sacks.
Michigan State — Kirk Cousins
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Michigan State’s pool of players currently in the NFL has seen better days. The best of the bunch currently is aging quarterback Kirk Cousins. Atlanta invested a boatload of money into him this offseason with the hopes he can provide at least adequate play from the position. We’re a bit skeptical about the long-term fit there — though Cousins has proven to be a league-average quarterback for some time now. As it pertains to Michigan State, the Spartans have had a few down years in the wake of losing Mark Dantonio. We’ve seen this trickle over into the professional ranks.
Washington — Trent McDuffie
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Washington is on the rise at the collegiate level and it has a handful of stars getting it done in the NFL. Vita Vea is a monster for the Buccaneers. Budda Baker is a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro with the Cardinals — both players have an argument to be this selection. However, we are giving the nod to Trent McDuffie. In his second season with the Chiefs, McDuffie was named an All-Pro at cornerback and was a pivotal part of a loaded Kansas City defense. Only 23 years old, McDuffie is only scratching the surface of his potential.
Oregon — Justin Herbert
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Oregon has some elite talent in the NFL. Penei Sewell is an All-Pro with the Lions. DeForest Buckner is a two-time All-Pro with the Niners and Colts, respectively. In his second season with the Giants, Kayvon Thibodeaux registered 11.5 sacks and looks like a future superstar at times. All three of those players are great, but Justin Herbert is a top-5 quarterback and thus gets the nod. The Chargers star has an absolute cannon for an arm and will now finally play under an elite head coach. As Herbert continues to mature, he will contend for MVPs and (potentially) Super Bowls.
Iowa — George Kittle
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Iowa is generally known for offensive linemen. There are a few who certainly deserve recognition here (Tristan Wirfs, Brandon Scherff). With that said, the toughness and physicality exuded by those players can be found in tight end George Kittle. The longtime 49er is a walking mismatch. He’s too fast for linebackers and safeties, and far too physical for corners. With Rob Gronkowski officially retired, Kittle takes the mantle as the best blocking tight end in the NFL.
Southern California — Amon-Ra St. Brown
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Wide receiver is a stacked position in the NFL at this time, and Amon-Ra St. Brown is quickly climbing the ranks. The former Trojan has been deemed a Pro Bowler two years in a row and he was named a All-Pro in 2023. St. Brown was dominant for the NFC North champion Detroit Lions. The young wideout set career highs across the board with 119 receptions, 1,515 yards, and 10 touchdowns. St. Brown’s ceiling is incredibly high — but he may not be the best Trojan in the NFL for long if Caleb Williams lives up to the hype.
Michigan — Aidan Hutchinson
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Hutchinson has developed into one of the most potent sack artists in the NFC North. Dating back to his college days, you saw a player exuding terrific energy and effort level. As he’s gotten bigger and older, the technical aspect of his game has continued to evolve in a very positive way. You’re left with a guy who can become a perennial double-digit sack guy. In the process, he’s starring for his hometown Detroit Lions. Talk about a home run draft pick.
Ohio State — Nick Bosa
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Ohio State has a who’s who of ex-Buckeyes currently playing in the NFL. It’s one of the best developers of talent in the country, and more often than not churns out multiple NFL prospects each and every year. Bosa happens to currently be the most disruptive, elite player of the bunch. Even when double or triple-teamed, it’s difficult to keep him out of the backfield. He’s not the biggest rush end in the world, but Bosa’s flawless technique combined with an elite first step enables him to create havoc routinely.
Oklahoma — Trent Williams
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Despite all the talented former Sooners in the league, this one is easy. Trent Williams is still the best by a comfortable margin. He’s been regarded as the best tackle in the game for years now. It should be noted an all-Sooner offensive line would be absolutely devastating – with Williams and Lane Johnson lining up at tackle and Creed Humphrey at center. The trio of quarterbacks – Jalen Hurts, Kyler Murray, and Baker Mayfield – will all need to find some consistency if they hope to take Williams’ spot. Surprisingly, Hurts – the only one from the QB bunch who wasn’t a No. 1 overall pick – has enjoyed the most success early on.
Texas — Bijan Robinson
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For years, the best Longhorn in the NFL was a placekicker. Justin Tucker is regarded as the best kicker the game has ever seen. However, even the greats eventually face some sort of decline. Tucker still has plenty of juice, but his accuracy has waned. He hasn’t even finished in the top-15 for field goal percentage in either of the last two seasons. As such, one of the league’s most dynamic ball-carriers is prepared to take Tucker’s former title. Robinson was consistently misused as a rookie and still came away with 1,463 scrimmage yards and eight scores. We can’t wait to see what he has in store next year.
LSU — Justin Jefferson
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LSU has become known for its receivers. While Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers aim to be Pro Bowlers one day, Justin Jefferson is already atop the mountain as perhaps the most innately gifted receiver in the NFL to date. You take one look at Jefferson and marvel at how he perfectly ticks the boxes on everything you’d want in the ideal receiver. Between his height, fluidity in and out of breaks, body control, and hands, Jefferson is an absolute nightmare to match up against.
Georgia — Roquan Smith
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Tackling machine Roquan Smith holds the flag here for Georgia. He actually committed to UCLA on Signing Day as a high school senior before changing his mind in the wake of then-UCLA DC Jeff Ulbrich leaving for the Atlanta Falcons. Smith reads the game as well as anyone. He packs a major punch with legitimate closing speed and an intuitiveness for the position. Again, if you’re representing Georgia as the best NFL player from this school, you’re a very special player.
Alabama — Quinnen Williams
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You’ve got to be pretty special to be the best player hailing from Alabama in the current landscape of the NFL. Williams has been the focal point of New York’s defensive line since coming into the league a few years ago. The ‘dancing bear’ moniker is applicable here, as Williams should not move nearly as well as he does considering his immense frame. The quickness he plays with on the interior of the defensive line is really impressive. The two-time Pro Bowler was an All-Pro selection in 2022. He’s just entering the prime of his career, meaning that Williams should continue to rack up personal accolades.
Notre Dame — Zack Martin
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Currently, the Fighting Irish are represented in the NFL by a handful of very good defensive backs and linemen. Kyle Hamilton earned First-Team All-Pro honors in Year 2 with the Ravens. Harrison Smith has been one of the best safeties in football for years but he is approaching the end of his career. Ultimately, this pick came down to two players — Quenton Nelson and Zack Martin. Both guards are elite — arguably the top two players at their position in the NFL. However, Martin is on a clear Hall of Fame trajectory while still being one of the best in the league. He’s been named a first-team All-Pro in five of the last six seasons (only played 10 games the year he didn’t).
