The NFL talent pipeline starts at some legendary college programs. Here’s a list of 20 colleges that have produced the most active players in the NFL, making their mark on the game.
20. South Carolina
Nov 24, 2018; Clemson, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Clemson Tigers at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Active Players in NFL: 37
19. UCLA
Nov 7, 2015; Corvallis, OR, USA; UCLA defensive lineman Kenny Clark (97) celebrates with teammates during the fourth quarter in a game against Oregon State at Reser Stadium. UCLA won 41-0. Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Active Players in NFL: 37
18. Miami (FL)
Oct 9, 1993; Tallahassee, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Miami Hurricanes linebacker Ray Lewis (52) in action against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Seminoles defeated the Hurricanes 28-10. Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports
Active Players in NFL: 39
17. Clemson
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) runs for a first down year South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw(3) during the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina Saturday, November 30, 2019. Credit: Ken Ruinard
Active Players in NFL: 39
16. Iowa
Nov 25, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end George Kittle (46) celebrates after a touchdown catch during the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Kinnick Stadium. Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Active Players in NFL: 40
15. Auburn
Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown (5) silences the crowd with a stop in the backfield at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. Florida leads Auburn 17-13 at halftime. Credit: Jake Crandall
Active Players in NFL: 40
14. Washington
Sep 4, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Trent McDuffie (22) participates in pregame warmups against the Montana Grizzlies at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Active Players in NFL: 41
13. Ole Miss
Sep 1, 2018; Houston, TX, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (14) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at NRG Stadium. Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Active Players in NFL: 42
12. USC
Apr 28, 2011; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces tackle Tyron Smith (Southern California) as the number ninth overall pick to the Dallas Cowboys in the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Active Players in NFL: 42
11. Florida
Nov 17, 2018; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts (84) runs the ball in for a touchdown as Idaho Vandals defensive back Denzal Brantley (4) attempted to defend during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Active Players in NFL: 44
10. Oklahoma
Jan 23, 2018; Mobile, AL, USA; North Squad quarterback Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma (6) throws a pass during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Active Players in NFL: 46
9. Oregon
Jul 21, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) at training camp at The Bolt. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Active Players in NFL: 50
8. Penn State
Dec 30, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) following the game against the Washington Huskies in the 2017 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Active Players in NFL: 52
7. Texas
Nov 20, 2010; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns kicker Justin Tucker (19) tackles Florida Atlantic Owls kick returner Willie Floyd (28) during the second quarter at Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas beat Florida Atlantic 51-17. Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Active Players in NFL: 53
6. Notre Dame
Nov 9, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive tackle Zack Martin (70) blocks at the line of scrimmage against Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Shakir Soto (52) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 28-21. Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Active Players in NFL: 56
5. LSU
Ja’Marr Chase scores a touchdown as The LSU Tigers take on The Clemson Tigers in the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship. Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. Credit: SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY
Active Players in NFL: 57
4. Michigan
Oct 30, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) smiles before the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Active Players in NFL: 64
3. Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Mike Weber (25) is congratulated after a touchdown by wide receiver Terry McLaurin (83) and quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) during the second half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on November 25, 2017. Ohio State won the game 31-20. Credit: Barbara J. Perenic
Active Players in NFL: 70
2. Georgia
Georgia wide receiver George Pickens (1) celebrates after winning the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Indianapolis, on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. Credit: Joshua L Jones
Active Players in NFL: 71
1. Alabama
Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa passes against Tennessee at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Oct. 19, 2019. Credit: MICKEY WELSH
Active Players in NFL: 77
Final Snap
Jan 7, 2019; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) reacts after the 2019 College Football Playoff Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at Levi’s Stadium. Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
These are the places where big dreams take root, from Saturday’s roar into Sunday’s cheers… and some into NFL history books.
By Rory Vitale 
Angel Atienza-Romero