The Best Colleges at Producing Pro Athletes
I've always said that there are few things in this world that people are more passionate about than sports—even more specifically, college athletics.
Where else will seemingly normal people not only argue verbally but act like complete imbeciles and, if drunk enough, actually fight one another?
Wearing a team's colors is a right, and for those who have a degree from a certain college, they'll do anything they can to show their support or talk trash.
Since athletes aren't in the stands, though, the best way they can rep their school is by performing well. That's why I dug into some research to figure out which universities are the best at making pros, who, in return, make the college look great with their All-Star berths and championships.
The results may or may not surprise you.
Wake Forest University
1 of 10
I really went back-and-forth on whether to place the Wake Forest Demon Deacons or the Texas Longhorns here.
Ultimately, though, I went with the Demon Deacons, as the five NBA titles from former No. 1 overall pick Tim Duncan and the eight All-Star selections and superstar prowess of Chris Paul outweigh the still growing resumes of Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge and Tristan Thompson from Texas.
When considering that Wake also has a handful of other current and former NBA players who have made an impact in the league like Jeff Teague and Josh Howard, the school has shown an ability to send players to the Association and have them become successful.
University of California
2 of 10
Although the Cal Golden Bears finished just 5-7 during the 2014 season, losing six of their final seven games, that doesn't mean the program doesn't have a rich history.
With superstars like Aaron Rodgers and Marshawn Lynch, along with Pro Bowlers DeSean Jackson, Alex Mack and Cameron Jordan, the school can hang its hat on some current NFL talent that's more than solid.
Of course, Rodgers and Lynch are the leaders of this pack. Those two have made three total Super Bowl trips in the past five seasons between them, coming away with a win apiece.
So, while the 2014 season didn't bring much enthusiasm to Golden Bears players or fans, the future could be bright—especially if it follows the trend of the past.
University of Wisconsin
3 of 10
Many readers might be thinking how a Midwest school like the University of Wisconsin can continuously produce pro athletes at a pace that makes other schools jealous.
When looking at the stats across the board, though, the Badgers are one of the best.
In the NFL, the school can brag about superstars J.J. Watt, Russell Wilson and arguably the best left tackle in the league, Joe Thomas. They have all set the standard for future UW gridiron players with Pro Bowl appearances, league awards and Super Bowl rings.
But as great as the school has been at producing NFL players, it has been even better at churning out NHL players. In the 2013-14 season, the Badgers had the second-most guys in the league with 21.
Wisconsin might not be a flashy school, but it does know how to get kids to the next level.
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Duke University
4 of 10
This year's national title winner in men's basketball, the Duke Blue Devils have built their program around iconic coach Mike Krzyzewski over the past three decades and have been a top producer of NBA talent.
Former big-time players from Durham, North Carolina, include Christian Laettner, Elton Brand, Shane Battier and Luol Deng, plus a current breed of future stars like Kyrie Irving, Jabari Parker and this year's potential No. 1 overall selection, Jahlil Okafor.
Whether it's making All-Star appearances or winning NBA titles, Dukies have fared quite well when it comes to producing players.
University of Miami (Fla.)
5 of 10
Although most of the schools on this list have a specific sport that they're good at producing pros in, the Miami Hurricanes have proved they really are a storm to be reckoned with across the sports world.
Their renowned football program has seen six former players (Ted Hendricks, Michael Irvin, Jim Kelly, Cortez Kennedy, Jim Otto and Warren Sapp) end up in the Hall of Fame, and there are a few more active guys who might make a case one day. The Canes have dominated that sport for years in terms of birthing pros.
And the school's baseball team has had the likes of Ryan Braun come through and has won five national championships. The Canes have an athletics program that knows how to graduate college kids into whatever pro sport they're looking to play.
University of Kentucky
6 of 10
The good news? When it comes to producing lottery players, All-Stars and potential faces of franchises for NBA teams, there's nowhere quite like the University of Kentucky.
The bad news? As an alum, unfortunately, I'm not one of those people I just mentioned.
Still, that doesn't take anything away from those who are. With names like Anthony Davis, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe and Karl-Anthony Towns, Big Blue Nation routinely pumps out the top basketball talent.
As close to a minor league team as a college squad can get, head coach John Calipari plucks the nation's best recruits and prepares them perfectly for the pro game (which typically lasts for one season), carrying on a tradition of excellence in Lexington.
University of North Carolina
7 of 10
With a third school from the state of North Carolina on this list, you might think that I hail from the Tar Heel State. That's not the case, though.
The reason the North Carolina Tar Heels have proved to be one of the top producers of athletic superstars comes from the obvious, Michael Jordan, and a few others who have helped the school leave an impact on various sports.
Others who were once Heels include Pro Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, one of the best ever, and a potential other inductee, Julius Peppers.
The men's hoops teams claim other Hall of Fame players too, including James Worthy, Bob McAdoo and Billy Cunningham.
While UNC may be lacking in all-time MLB players, that list does include current ace Matt Harvey. The Tar Heels more than make up for the dearth of baseball talent with some of the aforementioned athletes, claiming bragging rights on a number of schools.
University of Southern California
8 of 10
For as long as I can remember, the USC Trojans have had one of the top football programs in the nation, as the Men of Troy have claimed 11 national titles.
More than just all of the winning, though, the Trojans have shown their players know once they get into the NFL, holding down the top spot on the list of most Hall of Famers from one college with 11.
Sure, a few overhyped players haven't panned out—Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart and Mike Williams come to mind—but, overall, USC has delivered.
In other sports, the school has done well too, with a handful of baseball stars like Barry Zito, Mark McGwire and Randy Johnson calling the school their own at one point.
The men's hoops team has a few solid alums, and, oh yeah, the school also boasts some lady named Cheryl Miller, who happens to be among the greatest women's ballers ever.
Across many sports, the Trojans have excelled.
University of Alabama
9 of 10
Much like the aforementioned Kentucky Wildcats in men's basketball, the Alabama Crimson Tide impresses with their factory of future pros on the gridiron.
From a massive amount of current NFL players like Julio Jones and Eddie Lacy, to the all-time Tide stars who have done great things in the league—as evidenced by the seven in the Hall of Fame—Tuscaloosa is a hotbed for football players.
Say what you will about Nick Saban's intensity as a head coach, but the guy takes top talent and churns out both national title runs and first-round draft selections.
UCLA
10 of 10
Many of us have heard the stories and know the history about some of the best players in NBA history who once played for the UCLA Bruins.
With a program that won 10 NCAA titles under the guidance of the Wizard of Westwood, John Wooden, the Bruins manufactured future pros who went on to do incredible things in the NBA.
While the school's storied past includes players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton—who won both NCAA and NBA titles—a new generation of UCLA guys have repped the school quite well.
All-Stars Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love lead a deep bunch of former Bruins who currently make an impact for an NBA team. Love has a chance to earn a ring if the Cleveland Cavaliers win the Finals this year—although he is out with a bum shoulder.
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