College Football Teams Who Are the Best at Producing NFL Talent
The month of December for football fans brings college bowl season—including the two national semifinals this season—and the stretch run of the NFL regular season.
These two worlds will go their separate ways in early February's recruiting and Super Bowl extravaganzas, but they will collide again in the buildup to the NFL draft.
Several of the schools that have dominated draft day in recent seasons should send impressive talent into the NFL again, including three of the four teams in this year's College Football Playoff. The defending national champion could have a record-breaking weekend when it comes to the number of total draftees.
But which college football teams are the best at producing NFL talent? Here are the top 11—thanks to a tie at the No. 10 spot—schools with the most players currently on active NFL rosters, per ESPN's up-to-date alumni tracker.
These programs are listed with five of their best alums currently in the league and several names to watch for next year's draft. Discuss these standings and next year's draft prospects in the comments below.
T-10. Auburn
1 of 11
Active players: 32
Notable former players: QB Cam Newton, LB Karlos Dansby, DT Nick Fairley, OL Ben Grubbs, K Cody Parkey
Top 2016 draft prospects: LB Cassanova McKinzy, CB Jonathan Jones, LB Kris Frost
This countdown leads off with the school that produced one of the front-runners for this season's NFL Most Valuable Player Award. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, the former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick, is in the midst of his best season since his one championship-winning year at Auburn.
Auburn has five former first-round picks currently in the NFL—Newton, Rams offensive tackle Greg Robinson, Rams defensive tackle Nick Fairley, Chiefs outside linebacker Dee Ford and Chiefs offensive guard Ben Grubbs.
The Tigers also have a large amount of undrafted talent that has gone on to carve roles on active rosters, most notably kicker Cody Parkey, who was a Pro Bowler with the Eagles as a rookie last year. Auburn doesn't have a highly valued draft prospect this year, but some more names could join the likes of Parkey next year on active squads.
T-10. Clemson
2 of 11
Active players: 32
Notable former players: WR DeAndre Hopkins, RB C.J. Spiller, TE Dwayne Allen, WR Sammy Watkins, LB Vic Beasley
Top 2016 draft prospects: DE Shaq Lawson, CB Mackensie Alexander, SS Jayron Kearse, DT D.J. Reader, TE Jordan Leggett
Historically, Clemson isn't one of those blue-blood college football programs that has a long history of pumping talent into the NFL. But with Clemson's consistent success in recent seasons under head coach Dabo Swinney, more and more Tigers are getting snagged on draft day.
In the last three drafts, two Clemson star receivers (DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins) and two defensive studs (Vic Beasley and Stephone Anthony) have been taken in the first round. They joined C.J. Spiller, a former Pro Bowl running back, and Dwayne Allen as highly touted names at the next level.
After a season that featured an ACC title and a No. 1 seed into the College Football Playoff, Clemson should have a few more stars from its rock-solid defense taken in the NFL draft. Sack master Shaq Lawson and lockdown corner Mackensie Alexander have first-round potential.
9. Ohio State
3 of 11
Active players: 33
Notable former players: S Donte Whitner, OL Nick Mangold, LB James Laurinaitis, WR Ted Ginn Jr., DE Cameron Heyward
Top 2016 draft prospects: DE Joey Bosa, RB Ezekiel Elliott, OL Taylor Decker, DT Adolphus Washington, WR Michael Thomas, LB Joshua Perry, S Vonn Bell, OL Pat Elflein, QB Cardale Jones, WR Braxton Miller
Ohio State might not have as many star NFL players as the other teams in this countdown, but there's a great chance that will change in the near future.
The Buckeyes, which produced Pro Bowl fixtures Donte Whitner and Nick Mangold, could dominate the 2016 NFL draft. In October, Bleacher Report's Ryan McCrystal placed six Buckeyes in the first round of his mock draft—which would tie the record set by the legendary 2001 Miami Hurricanes.
"There's two ways to evaluate [recruiting] — winning games and the NFL Draft," Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer said last month, per Doug Lesmerises of Cleveland.com. "I evaluate our coaches very hard on our staff and they're held accountable. As long as we're keeping score, we're trying to win. I think we've done great."
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
8. Oklahoma
4 of 11
Active players: 34
Notable former players: RB Adrian Peterson, DT Gerald McCoy, RB DeMarco Murray, QB Sam Bradford, TE Jermaine Gresham
Top 2016 draft prospects: WR Sterling Shepard, LB Dominique Alexander, LB Eric Striker, DE Charles Tapper
Over the last decade, Oklahoma has sent several standout players that would go onto become stars in the NFL. The most notable one, of course, is Vikings running back Adrian Peterson—the 2012 NFL MVP and six-time Pro Bowler. Peterson is on track for his third rushing title too.
Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who starred for the Sooners after Peterson's departure to the NFL, has been a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro in three straight seasons. DeMarco Murray took home plenty of honors as the league's best rusher in 2014 before joining the Eagles. Since 2010, OU has produced four top-five picks in the NFL draft.
Head coach Bob Stoops could send a few more college stars to the next level from a talented team that won the Big 12 and took home a College Football Playoff berth this season.
7. Georgia
5 of 11
Active players: 36
Notable former players: WR A.J. Green, DT Geno Atkins, LB Justin Houston, QB Matthew Stafford, RB Todd Gurley
Top 2016 draft prospects: LB Leonard Floyd, LB Jordan Jenkins, OL John Theus
Getting a hold of high-level talent has never been a problem at Georgia, and neither has preparing those skilled players for a life in the NFL.
Since 2001, Georgia has had at least four NFL draft picks in every year except for one. The Bulldogs have had four first-round picks since 2011, starting with Bengals star wide receiver A.J. Green and continuing into last year's top-10 selection of running back Todd Gurley. Justin Houston, who led the NFL in sacks last season, was a third-round pick out of Georgia.
Defense looks to be the name of the game for Georgia in this next draft, with the linebacker duo of Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins leading the way in terms of draft-eligible Dawgs. It could be a situation similar to 2013, when UGA linebackers Jarvis Jones and Alec Ogletree both went in the first round.
6. Miami (Florida)
6 of 11
Active players: 38
Notable former players: RB Frank Gore, WR Andre Johnson, TE Jimmy Graham, S Antrel Rolle, DT Vince Wilfork
Top 2016 draft prospects: WR Stacy Coley, S Deon Bush
From the school Mark Richt once coached to the one he's at right now, Miami has an excellent history of producing plenty of NFL prospects—many of which hail from the talent-rich area of South Florida.
The 2001 Hurricanes had perhaps the best draft class of all time, and several players from that team are still shining in the NFL, including wide receiver Andre Johnson, safety Antrel Rolle, running back Frank Gore and defensive lineman Vince Wilfork. Since then, Miami has produced players such as Jimmy Graham, Devin Hester and Greg Olsen.
Even in the recent seasons of disappointment, "The U" has continued to send waves of talent to the next level. Earlier this year, the Hurricanes had seven players drafted from a team that went 6-7.
T-4. USC
7 of 11
Active players: 39
Notable former players: LB Clay Matthews, QB Carson Palmer, RB Reggie Bush, LB Rey Maualuga, OL Ryan Kalil
Top 2016 draft prospects: LB Su'a Cravens, QB Cody Kessler, OL Max Tuerk, CB Kevon Seymour, RB Tre Madden
One of the biggest names in college football, USC has the West Coast on lockdown when it comes to producing NFL talent. No other program in that area comes close to the number of active pro players who used to be Trojans.
Multi-time Pro Bowlers such as Packers linebacker Clay Matthews, Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer and Panthers center Ryan Kalil are some of the most notable former USC stars in the NFL. Last year, Leonard Williams and Nelson Agholor joined the likes of Reggie Bush and Mark Sanchez as first-rounders in the NFL.
USC might not have another pair of first-rounders in next year's draft, but expect to hear a good number of Trojans get selected throughout the weekend. Versatile linebacker/safety hybrid Su'a Cravens will be an interesting name to watch in the buildup to the draft.
T-4. Florida State
8 of 11
Active players: 39
Notable former players: WR Anquan Boldin, CB Antonio Cromartie, LB Lawrence Timmons, QB Jameis Winston, K Sebastian Janikowski
Top 2016 draft prospects: CB Jalen Ramsey, K Roberto Aguayo, DT Nile Lawrence-Stample
With names like Anquan Boldin and Antonio Cromartie still lighting up the NFL and the most draft picks of any school in the 2015 draft, Florida State continues to grow as a top-notch producer of pro prospects.
When 10 Seminoles—led by No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston—went off the board earlier this year, Florida State broke the modern record for most players drafted in a three-year stretch. Florida State has sent 29 players to the NFL in the last three years alone, adding to an already impressive base of alumni in the NFL.
Florida State could also send the best defensive back and the best kicker into the draft next spring with Jalen Ramsey and Roberto Aguayo, respectively. The Seminoles are a recruiting powerhouse at the college level, and their track record of development is evident in the number of former players now playing on Sundays.
3. Florida
9 of 11
Active players: 40
Notable former players: CB Joe Haden, WR Percy Harvin, OL Mike Pouncey, WR Riley Cooper, S Will Hill
Top 2016 draft prospects: CB Vernon Hargreaves III, DE Jonathan Bullard, WR Demarcus Robinson
The Urban Meyer years in Gainesville produced a jaw-dropping amount of talent for the Florida Gators. And even though Will Muschamp's tenure was far from outstanding, Florida continued to send great players into the league.
Some of the brightest stars of the Meyer era—all-world cornerback Joe Haden, top-notch offensive lineman Mike Pouncey and versatile offensive weapon Percy Harvin—have garnered awards and plenty of recognition in the NFL. Under Muschamp, Florida had five first-round picks across three drafts, most of them lining up on the defensive side of the ball.
Standout cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III is likely to join safety Matt Elam and defensive linemen Dante Fowler Jr., Dominique Easley and Sharrif Floyd as first-round defenders from Florida next spring. Defensive end Jonathan Bullard could be a first-round selection too. The great draft tradition at Florida is showing no signs of slowing down.
2. Alabama
10 of 11
Active players: 41
Notable former players: WR Julio Jones, DT Marcell Dareus, LB C.J. Mosley, WR Amari Cooper, S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Top 2016 draft prospects: DT A'Shawn Robinson, LB Reggie Ragland, RB Derrick Henry, DT Jarran Reed, DE Jonathan Allen, OL Ryan Kelly
Nick Saban's famed "Process" at Alabama has done more than bring SEC and national titles to Tuscaloosa—it has sent a huge number of former blue-chip stars into the pros.
Since Saban arrived at Alabama, 17 of his players have been selected in the first round of the NFL draft, with almost half of those going in the top 10. Amari Cooper, Marcell Dareus and Trent Richardson were all top-five picks. Five former Tide players have already become Pro Bowlers, and five others have won Super Bowls.
The 2016 draft could be another huge one for Alabama, especially for those who started on the Tide's overwhelming defensive front this season. Oh, and there's also Heisman-winning running back Derrick Henry, who is almost guaranteed to have a 2,000-yard season and storm his way into the NFL.
1. LSU
11 of 11
Active players: 47
Notable former players: WR Odell Beckham Jr., WR Dwayne Bowe, WR Jarvis Landry, CB Tyrann Mathieu, CB Patrick Peterson
Top 2016 draft prospects: CB Tre'Davious White, OL Vadal Alexander, S Jalen Mills, LB Deion Jones
But Alabama can't even match the number of current pro players out of one of its biggest rivals in the SEC West—LSU. In addition to their dominance of the fertile Louisiana recruiting hotbed, the Bayou Bengals have been able to snatch several stars from all across the South and turn them into NFL material.
LSU has its fingerprints all over the passing game in the NFL thanks to the extraordinary amount of wide receiver and defensive back talent that has come out of Baton Rouge. Take your pick of duos from LSU. Second-year wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry are already stars, and defensive backs Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu line up next to each other in the fearsome Cardinals secondary.
The LSU pipeline, which also includes Dwayne Bowe, Morris Claiborne and Jeremy Hill, should pump some more names into the league in 2016. Tre'Davious White and Jalen Mills are the next secondary names to watch, while Vadal Alexander is a highly touted interior line prospect.
Justin Ferguson is a college football writer at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
