15 Least Likely Superstars in NFL History

More so in football than any other sport, star NFL players can come out of nowhere. Sometimes it’s that big conference player that slips through the cracks. Other times it’s small school gems – unknown to even the most devout fan.

Over the league’s history there have been a plethora of unlikely NFL players who have turned into league superstars. This is a league where a top pick like JaMarcus Russell can derail a team while a wide receiver from Mississippi Valley State can become one of the league’s all-time greatest players.

So which college players slipped through the cracks? Who are the least likely stars in NFL history? Read on as we examine these improbable success stories.

15. Danny Woodhead

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 31: Danny Woodhead #39 of the New England Patriots reacts after gaining yards against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half at Gillette Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

A 5’7, 200 pound running back out of the division two school Chadron State, Danny Woodhead would seem like a hundred to one shot to even play on the practice squad, let alone be a difference maker for a playoff-bound team.

In four collegiate seasons, Woodhead rushed for 7,871 yards and 101 touchdowns yet still seemed like an NFL long shot. Then the lighting quick back ran a 4.33 40 and posted an unbelievable 38 ½ inch vertical. 

An undrafted free agent in 2008, the New York Jets signed Woodhead after the diminutive back set the division two record for single season and career rushing.

This season after being cut by the Jets, Woodhead has tallied 574 total yards in nine games – earning the back a two-year contract extension.

14. Peyton Hillis

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 28: Running back Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns scores a touchdown in front of safety Sherrod Martin #23 of the Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sulliva

Hillis journey to the NFL is an odd and unlikely one. A seventh round draft pick out of Arkansas, Hillis served as the blocking back for first-round draft picks Darren McFadden and Felix Jones.

Now the former fullback is thriving as the Browns starting running back – surpassing his highly touted teammates in the process.

After being traded in the off-season for Brady Quinn, Hillis took over the starting running back job in Cleveland and has not looked back. His 905 yards dwarf the production of either McFadden or Jones while his 11 touchdowns are more than his former teammates combined.

At 6’2, 250, Hillis is a bruising back who has physically dominated defenses all season long.

13. Tony Romo

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys makes an adjustment at the line of scrimmage against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Despite breaking tons of Ohio Valley Conference records while playing for Eastern Illinois University, Tony Romo went undrafted out of college.

The 6’2 quarterback won the Walter Payton Award given to the most outstanding player in division 1-AA, before being signed by the Cowboys.

After sitting behind the likes of Quincy Carter, Drew Henson and Drew Bledsoe, Romo took over the starting role in week 4 of the 2006 season. Since then, Romo has totaled 16,650 yards and 118 touchdowns versus 62 interceptions.

A three-time Pro-bowler, Romo’s 95.5 QB rating ranks fourth all-time and have proven to be one of the league’s unlikely superstars.

12. Jeff Garcia

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SAN FRANCISCO - JANUARY 5: Quarterback Jeff Garcia #5 of the San Fransisco 49ers scrambles for a gain against the New York Giants during the NFC Wild Card game at 3Com Park on January 5, 2003 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers' rally was the bigge

After going undrafted out of San Jose State, Garcia was signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL.

Starting as the back-up to Doug Flutie, Garcia earned the starting job in 1996 after Flutie signed with the Toronto Argonauts. In three years as a starter, Garcia showed his potential posting a 35-19 while winning the 1997 Most Outstanding Player Award and the 1998 Grey Cup (the Canadian Super bowl).

In 1999, the San Francisco 49ers signed Garcia to back-up Steve Young and Garcia took over as the starter when Young retired in 2000.

During his ten NFL seasons, Garcia passed for 25,537 yards, 161 touchdowns and 83 interceptions making him one of the NFL’s least likely success stories.

11. Pat Williams

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MINNEAPOLIS - JANUARY 17: Pat Williams #94 of the Minnesota Vikings laughs while playing against the Dallas Cowboys during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on January 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.The Vikings defeated

Another undrafted free agent, Williams has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier defensive tackles by tallying 20.5 sacks and being selected to three pro bowls.

Williams began his college career at Navarro Junior College before transferring to Texas A&M and yet again to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M college after being ruled academically ineligible.

His unlikely journey from junior college journeyman to NFL star is truly remarkable.

10. London Fletcher

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: London Fletcher #59 of the Washington Redskins tackles Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

London Fletcher has proven himself to be one of the NFL’s premier linebackers despite lack of ideal size, totaling over 1600 tackles in 13 year career. What many people may not know is that Fletcher wasn’t always such a coveted player.

Fletcher played football and basketball at division three John Carroll University – a private Jesuit college with an enrollment of around 3,000.

Despite recording a whopping 202 tackles as a senior, Fletcher went undrafted before signing with the St. Louis Rams. And the rest, as they say, is history.

9. James Harrison

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 19: James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers sacks Ryan Fitzpatrick #11 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium on October 19, 2008 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

If you’ve been paying attention, you should have noticed that there are a host of undrafted players on this list and James Harrison is no exception.

Before winning the defensive player of the year award and giving league official weekly migraines, Harrison played his college ball under the radar at Kent State.

A trouble maker in high school, powerhouses like Notre Dame and Ohio State dismissed Harrison forcing the Akron native to stay closer to home.

Despite an impressive college career, NFL scouts though Harrison lacked the size to play at the professional level, forcing the linebacker to accept an invite to the Steelers practice squad. He was undisciplined and ended up being cut by the Steelers, before being signed by the Ravens and sent to play in NFL Europe.

After being cut by the Ravens, Harrison considered retiring, going so far as to obtain a commercial drivers license before being signed by the Steelers once again in 2004. Harrison earned his first career start that season and never looked back.

8. Wes Welker

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LUBBOCK, TX -NOVEMBER 22: Wide receiver Wes Welker #27 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders carries the ball during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Jones SBC Stadium on November 22, 2003 in Lubbock, Texas. The Sooners won 56-25. (Photo by Ronald Mart

Where to begin. Welker was not highly recruited out of high school – only garnering a scholarship offer from Texas Tech after another recruit backed out of his scholarship at the last minute.

Originally a running back, the versatile Welker adapted to his new position as a wide receiver by tallying 259 receptions and 3,019 yards over his four year career and earning the nickname, “The Natural.”

Still at only 5’9 teams didn’t feel that Welker has the size to compete at the professional level. After going undrafted, Welker signed with the Chargers before being cut after the first week.

Welker caught on with the Dolphins and emerged as their number one receive by hauling in a team-high 67 balls for 687 yards. The Patriots acquired the undersized receiver following the 2006 season and Welker has been one of the league’s elite receivers ever since.

Now in his fourth season with the team, Wes has grabbed 411 balls for 4,280 yards and established himself as the league’s premier possession receiver.

7. Antonio Gates

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23 Mar 2002: Antonio Gates #44 of the Kent State Golden Eagles shoots over A. J. Moye #2 of the Indiana Hoosiers in the second half of the Championship of the South Region of the 2002 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship at the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ken

Many of you are already familiar with Antonio Gates’ story, but it bears repeating. The 6’5 tight end played his college ball at Kent State – it just wasn’t football.

Now regarded as the league’s top tight end, Gates played on the Golden Flashes elite eight basketball team. When told he was too small to play power forward at the next level, Gates opted to give football a whirl. Turns out it was a great decision.

The incredibly agile big man moves unlike any 260-pounder and has played in six pro bowls over his eight year career. With 519 catches, 6,886 yards and 72 touchdowns, Gates may just go down as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history.

6. Kurt Warner

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ST. LOUIS, MO - AUGUST 18: Quarterback Kurt Warner #13 of the St. Louis Rams looks to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFL preseason game at the Edward Jones Dome on August 18, 2003 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams defeated the Buccaneer

Talk about unlikely. Kurt Warner went undrafted out of Northern Iowa in 1994 before being quickly signed and cut by the Green Bay Packers forcing Warner to earn a living stocking shelves at a Hy-Vee grocery store for $5.50 an hour.

Looking for a way back to the NFL, this unlikely success story turned to the Arena Football League. In four AFL seasons, Warner twice made the All-Arena first-team – earning an NFL tryout in the process.

In 1998 Warner signed with the Rams but was relegated to the NFL Europe’s Amsterdam Admirals (great place for a devout Christian) where he led the league in passing yards and touchdowns. The next season after Trent Green tore his ACL during a preseason game, Warner was handed the keys to the offense and boy did he drive it.

The former Northern Iowa product put up one of the NFL’s greatest single seasons throwing for 4,353 yards and 41 touchdowns as the greatest show on turf was born.

Warner led his team to a Super Bowl victory and was named the game’s MVP. His career NFL statistics (32,344 yards, 65.5 completion percentage, 93.7 passer rating and 128:85 TD to Int. ratio) may be Hall of fame worthy. Not too shabby for a stock boy.

5. Rod Smith

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DENVER - DECEMBER 11: Wide receiver Rod Smith #80 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the game on December 11, 2005 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos won 12-10. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Ge

In 12 NFL seasons, Rod Smith caught 849 passes for 11,389 yards and 68 TD. What makes his production even more impressive is the fact that Smith is yet another (gasp) undrafted free agent.

The Missouri Southern State product is 15^th in career receptions and provided John Elway his best target during the Bronco’s back-to-back Super Bowl wins.

4. John Randle

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22 Sep 1996: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers fumbles the ball as he is tackled by Fernando Smith #95 and John Randle #93 of the Minnesota Vikings during the second half at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated t

An undrafted defensive tackle out of Texas A & M-Kingsville, John Randle accomplished great things over his 14 year NFL career.

While many will remember Randle for his war-paint styled eye black, quarterbacks will remember him as the man who made their lives miserable for more than a decade.

Randle recorded 137.5 sacks while playing for the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks including 15.5 in 1997. To this day Randle is one of my favorite childhood heroes, but not for his phenomenal production. Randle sacked Brett Favre more than any defensive player in the NFL causing the former Packers QB to say, “on artificial turf he's unblockable.”

A seven-time Pro Bowler and 2010 hall of famer, Randall is more than an unlikely superstar, he’s an unlikely legend.

3. Dick Lane

Perhaps better known as Night Train due to his propensity to drink an entire bottle of Night Train Express wine before every game, Lane is yet another unfathomable success story.

After graduating high school, Lane spent only one year at junior college before opting to serve in the army.

After serving for four years, Lane showed up at the Los Angeles Rams training camp asking for a job. Originally looking to make the team as an end, Lane caught on as a cornerback and never looked back.

Now a member of the hall of fame, Night Train Lane made seven pro bowls in 14 NFL seasons, recording 68 interceptions – including a single season record of 14 during his rookie season.

Despite his odd route to the NFL, many consider Lane to be the best defensive back to ever play the game.

2. Tom Brady

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DETROIT - NOVEMBER 25: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after a Detroit Lions turnover during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 25, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. New England defeated Detroit 45-24. (Photo by Leon

We all know about Tom Brady. A sixth round draft pick out of Michigan, he takes over for Drew Bledsoe after a vicious Mo Lewis hits and guides the team to three super bowl wins.

What some people forget is the tough journey he had to even make the NFL. Stuck behind Brian Griese as an underclassman, Brady was forced to compete with NY Yankees draftee Drew Henson during his later years.

Perhaps even more interesting is the fact that the Patriots almost drafted Louisiana Tech quarterback Tim Rattay over Brady according to Michael Holley’s book Patriot Reign.

The future hall of famer posted arguably the greatest season by any quarterback in 2007, breaking the single season touchdown mark in the process.

This season Brady has led the Patriots to an NFL-best 9-2 record and is considered by many to be the MVP front runner.

1. Warren Moon

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22 Sep 1996: Quarterback Warren Moon of the Minnesota Vikings looks down field for an open receiver as he drops back to pass during a play in the Vikings 30-21 victory over the Packers at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mandatory Credit: Matth

Perhaps there is no greater success story than that of Warren Moon. One of two players enshrined in both the NFL and CFL hall of fame, Moon had a long and arduous journey to NFL success.

Moon attended the obscure West Los Angeles College after all other schools wanted him to change positions. After finding success as a QB, Moon was recruited to play at the University of Washington.

Despite great success there, Moon went undrafted after he refused to switch positions, and instead went north of the border to play in the CFL. There Moon led his Edmonton Eskimos to a remarkable five consecutive Grey Cup titles.

His success led to many NFL offers, but Moon opted to sign with the Houston Oilers. While playing for four different teams, Moon passed for 49,325 yards and 291 touchdowns. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and had his #1 jersey retired by the Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans).

Moon led two of the most phenomenal comebacks in NFL history – his own career and a 32-point playoff rally simply known as “the comeback.”