The 13 Schools That Have Produced The Most NFL Players

There are close to 900 colleges and universities in the United States (and beyond) that have boasted at least one college football player who appeared in at least one NFL game. However, there are some powerhouses that have managed to lead the way on that particular front.

No schools have sent more college football players to the NFL than these programs

I previously took a look at the schools responsible for the highest number of players who were selected in the NFL Draft, and as you can probably expect, there’s a fair amount of crossover when it comes to the ones that have seen the most guys play at least one snap in the league.

However, the draft wasn’t held for the first time until 1936, and there are plenty of people who didn’t hear their names called who managed to get a shot as well as those who made the leap in the 16 years between the introduction of the event and the league’s inaugural season in 1920.

Here’s a look at every one that’s pumped out at least 400 players as of the 2025 season.

13. Tennessee: 407 NFL Players

Overall Draft Picks: 367

First-Round Draft Picks: 48

First Overall Draft Picks: 2

Most Notable Players: Peyton Manning, Reggie White, Jason Witten, Warren Moon

12. Miami: 414 NFL Players

Overall Draft Picks: 369

First-Round Draft Picks: 68

First Overall Draft Picks: 3

Most Notable Players: Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Michael Irvin, Warren Sapp, Jim Kelly

11. Nebraska: 417 NFL Players

Overall Draft Picks: 370

First-Round Draft Picks: 34

First Overall Draft Picks: 2

Most Notable Players: Will Shields, Ndamukong Suh, Mick Tingelhoff, Bob Brown

10. Florida: 419 NFL Players

Overall Draft Picks: 380

First-Round Draft Picks: 59

First Overall Draft Picks: 0

Most Notable Players: Emmitt Smith, Fred Taylor, Wes Chandler, Jevon Kearse

9. Oklahoma: 437 NFL Players

Overall Draft Picks: 419

First-Round Draft Picks: 51

First Overall Draft Picks: 5

Most Notable Players: Adrian Peterson, Lee Roy Selmon, Keith Jackson, Tommy McDonald

8. Georgia: 449 NFL Players

Overall Draft Picks: 392

First-Round Draft Picks: 52

First Overall Draft Picks: 5

Most Notable Players: Herschel Walker, Terrell Davis, Fran Tarkenton, Champ Bailey

T-6. Penn State: 452 NFL Players

Overall Draft Picks: 394

First-Round Draft Picks: 44

First Overall Draft Picks: 2

Most Notable Players: Franco Harris, Saquon Barkley, Jack Ham

T-6. LSU: 452 NFL Players

Overall Draft Picks: 388

First-Round Draft Picks: 53

First Overall Draft Picks: 3

Most Notable Players: Jim Taylor, Joe Burrow, Y.A. Tittle

5. Alabama: 462 NFL Players

Overall Draft Picks: 418

First-Round Draft Picks: 84

First Overall Draft Picks: 2

Most Notable Players: Joe Namath, Julio Jones, Bart Starr, Derrick Henry

4. Michigan: 484 NFL Players

Overall Draft Picks: 422

First-Round Draft Picks: 55

First Overall Draft Picks: 2

Most Notable Players: Tom Brady, Charles Woodson, Dan Dierdorf, Tom Mack

3. Ohio State: 563 NFL Players

Overall Draft Picks: 503

First-Round Draft Picks: 95

First Overall Draft Picks: 3

Most Notable Players: Paul Warfield, Cris Carter, Orlando Pace, Eddie George

2. USC: 583 NFL Players

Overall Draft Picks: 533

First-Round Draft Picks: 86

First Overall Draft Picks: 6

Most Notable Players: Junior Seau, Reggie Bush, O.J. Simpson, Marcus Allen

1. Notre Dame: 644 NFL Players

Overall Draft Picks: 538

First-Round Draft Picks: 71

First Overall Draft Picks: 5

Most Notable Players: Joe Montana, Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown, Alan Page