From Small Time to Prime Time, Part III: Top 10

Analyst Written on May 14, 2009

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In the final edition of this three-part series, we take a look at the top 10 small time college players who made it to the big show.

So far I expect that you have all recognized most of the names on this list, and I guarantee that everyone will recognize each name in the top 10.

So, without further ado, the top 10 list. Thanks for taking the time to look at all of these slides.

If you think it took a long time to check out the slideshows, just think how long it took to compose them!

No. 10: Greg Lloyd, Linebacker, Fort Valley St.

In his 11 NFL seasons, 10 with the Steelers, Lloyd compiled 54.5 sacks and intercepted 11 passes.

He was selected to five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams. He is also a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers' 75th Anniversary Team.

No. 9: Larry Allen, Tackle, Sonoma St.

In his 14 NFL seasons, 12 with the Cowboys, Allen started 197 games.

He was selected to 11 Pro Bowls and seven All-Pro teams. He has one Super Bowl ring and is a member of the 1990s All-Decade Team.

No. 8: Charles Haley, Defensive End, James Madison

In his 12 NFL seasons, Haley has amassed 100.5 sacks.

He was named to five Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams. He has also collected five Super Bowl rings.

No. 7: Kurt Warner, Quarterback, Northern Iowa

In his 11 NFL seasons, Warner has passed for 28,591 yards and 182 touchdowns.

He has been selected to play in four Pro Bowls and has been named the NFL's MVP on two occasions. He has one Super Bowl ring and was named Super Bowl MVP once.

No. 6: Aeneas Williams, Cornerback, Southern

In his 14 NFL seasons, Williams has compiled 795 tackles and intercepted 55 passes, nine of which he returned for touchdowns.

He was selected to eight Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams. He is also a member of the 1990s All-Decade Team.

No. 5: John Randle, Defensive Tackle, Texas A&M-Kingsville

In his 14 NFL seasons, Randle amassed 556 tackles and 137.5 sacks.

He was selected to play in seven Pro Bowls and named to six All-Pro teams. He is also a member of the 1990s All-Decade Team.

No. 4: Shannon Sharpe, Tight End, Savannah St.

In his 14 NFL seasons, Sharpe caught 815 passes for 10,060 yards and 62 touchdowns.

He was selected to eight Pro Bowl teams and was also a five-time All-Pro selection. He has three Super Bowl rings and is a member of the 1990s All-Decade Team.

No. 3: Michael Strahan, Defensive End, Texas Southern

In his 14 years with the Giants, Strahan compiled 854 tackles and 141.5 sacks.

He was named to eight Pro Bowls and six All-Pro teams. Twice he was named NFC Defensive Player of the Year and once NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

He has one Super Bowl ring and sacked the quarterback a record 22.5 times in the 2001 season.

No. 2: Darrell Green, Cornerback, Texas A&I

In his 20 seasons with the Redskins, Green collected 54 interceptions and returned six of them for touchdowns.

He was selected to seven Pro Bowls and four All-Pro teams. He has two Super Bowl rings and is a member of the 1990s All-Decade Team.

He is also a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

No. 1: Jerry Rice, Wide Receiver, Mississippi Valley St.

In his 20 NFL seasons, 16 with the 49ers, Rice caught 1,549 passes for 22,895 yards and 197 touchdowns.

He was named to 13 Pro Bowls and 12 All-Pro teams. He was also selected to the 1980s and 1990s All-Decade Teams, as well as the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.

He has been named NFL Offensive Player of the Year twice and was the Super Bowl XXIII MVP. He has three Super Bowl rings and holds countless NFL records.

For the rest of the list, check out parts I and II.

Begin Slideshow

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written on May 14, 2009 Rankings/List

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