Alabama, OSU, Georgia, Michigan Had Most Players on 2025 NFL Kickoff Weekend Rosters

The University of Alabama had the most players on active NFL Kickoff Weekend rosters last week, marking the ninth consecutive season the Crimson Tide have held that distinction.

According to NFL Media, 60 former Alabama players were on NFL Week 1 rosters, followed by Ohio State's 56, Georgia's 55, Michigan's 43 and LSU's 40.

Alabama also had the most defensive backs (13) and running backs (six) on NFL rosters in Week 1, while being tied for the most defensive tackles (six) and quarterbacks (four).

Some of the most notable former Bama players in the league currently include Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry, Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith, Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II, Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. and New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

For years, Alabama has essentially been a factory for NFL talent, which explains how the Tide were able to win six national championships under head coach Nick Saban from 2009 to 2020.

However, Saban retired after the 2023 season, which has perhaps shifted the balance of power in college football.

Under Kalen DeBoer, the Tide failed to reach the College Football Playoff last season, paving the way for Ohio State to win its first national title since 2014.

Then, 14 Buckeyes players were selected in the 2025 NFL draft, which was the most of any school.

Alabama was only tied for sixth on the list with seven players taken in the draft after being third with 10 draftees the year before and tied for first with 10 draftees in 2023.

The Crimson Tide got off to an unexpectedly bad start this season as well, falling to then-unranked Florida State by a 31-17 score in Week 1 before bouncing back with a 73-0 thrashing of UL Monroe.

As for OSU, it took down then-top-ranked Texas 14-7 in Week 1 before blanking Grambling 70-0 in Week 2.

While Ohio State finished just four players behind Alabama for the most on opening-week NFL rosters, it had the most linebackers with 10 and wide receivers with eight, and was tied with Bama and Georgia for the most defensive tackles with six.

Also, Georgia and Michigan were tied for the most offensive guards and defensive ends on opening-week rosters with six each.