UGA Football Pushing Alabama For Most NFL Talent
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ATHENS - New research reveals the U.S. colleges fueling the NFL with top-tier talent – including which schools produce the most quarterbacks, wide receivers, and more.
A new study by InGame.com has revealed which U.S. colleges are responsible for producing the most current NFL talent in 2025 - and the University of Alabama leads the charge with 73 players currently active in the league, barely in front of the Georgia Bulldogs who have 71 players.
With football remaining the most popular sport in America, millions of young athletes dream of reaching the NFL. College football remains the most direct route to the big leagues, but the chances of going pro vary greatly depending on where you play.
By analyzing the latest ESPN rosters, InGame.com ranked U.S. colleges by the number of active NFL players they’ve produced, breaking the data down by position to reveal which schools serve as true football factories for quarterbacks, wide receivers, defensive ends, and more.
Alabama - 73
Georgia - 71
Ohio State - 71
Michigan - 65
LSU - 58
Notre Dame - 56
Texas - 54
Penn State - 51
Oregon - 47
Oklahoma - 46
The Crimson Tide also lead in producing quarterbacks with five active NFL QBs from its ranks.
Georgia and Ohio State tie for second place, with Georgia particularly standing out in producing running backs and tight ends. The Bulldogs claim NFL talents like Nick Chubb and Brock Bowers, while the Buckeyes have launched the careers of elite receivers such as Terry McLaurin and Michael Thomas.
Breakdown by Position: Which Colleges Dominate by Role?
Quarterbacks: Alabama Is the New QB Factory
Alabama leads the nation in active NFL quarterbacks, with five former Crimson Tide QBs currently signed to teams. Oregon follows with four, while Ohio State, Tennessee, and Florida each boast three.
Running Backs: Georgia’s Ground Game Dominance
Georgia leads the pack with seven NFL running backs, edging out Alabama and Arizona (6 each). North Carolina and Boise State round out the top five with five RBs apiece.
Defensive Ends: Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio State in a Three-Way Battle
Georgia and Michigan lead with seven defensive ends each in the NFL, followed closely by Ohio State (6), Clemson (5), and LSU (5).
Wide Receivers: Ohio State and Ole Miss Are Neck-and-Neck
Both schools have produced 10 wide receivers currently active in the NFL. Texas follows with 9, USC with 8, and Alabama with 7.
Offensive Tackles: Ohio State Blocks the Competition
Ohio State comes out on top with eight offensive tackles, followed by Oklahoma (7), Florida (6), and Notre Dame and TCU (5 each).
Linebackers: Georgia, Ohio State and LSU lead the way
Each school contributes 10, while Michigan and Auburn each field 9.
Cornerbacks: Alabama Is the Corner King
The Crimson Tide dominate here too, with 9 NFL cornerbacks, just ahead of Michigan, USC, and Auburn (8 each).
Tight Ends: Georgia Flexes Its Versatility
The Bulldogs again top the charts with 7 active tight ends. Notre Dame, Iowa, Washington, and Stanford each follow with 6.
Centers: Michigan Takes the Snap
Michigan leads with 4 NFL centers, while Ohio State, LSU, Georgia, and Notre Dame are tied with 3 each.
Defensive Backs: One-Off Winners
This highly distributed position sees five schools (Kentucky, Ole Miss, Oregon State, Rutgers, and Oregon) tied, each producing one active NFL defensive back.
Why It Matters
“This breakdown shows that it’s not just about which school sends the most players to the NFL — it’s also about how well a college specializes in a position,”
“Alabama is the go-to for quarterbacks and corners, Georgia for running backs and defensive ends, and Ohio State seems to do it all.”
Methodology
InGame used ESPN’s current NFL roster list to determine each player's college of origin. The data was then categorized by player position to identify which colleges dominate each area of the game.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nfl/college/_/letter/c