UCLA Bruins Football: The 5 Best Bruins in the NFL

After stumbling out of the gates at the beginning of the season, UCLA finds itself one win away from a division title and a trip to the inaugural Pac-12 Championship Game.  In order to do so, the Bruins must beat USC and also hope for Colorado to upset Utah. 

The last time that UCLA won a conference title was in 1998, when they lost to Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, 38-31. 

Even though the Bruins have not been spectacular since that season, they have sent a lot of talent to the NFL. 

In this slideshow I will rank the five best former UCLA payers who are currently on NFL rosters.  These rankings will be based on their performance in the pros and not what they did during their days with the Bruins.   

5. Chris Kluwe

Before Chris Kluwe took over duties as the punter for the Vikings in 2005, he broke a number of school records during his time with the Bruins.  

After he was honored as the Special Teams Player of the Game in the 2004 Silicon Valley Football Classic, Kluwe signed as an undrafted free agent with the Seahawks.  He was dropped by Seattle just before the season began, only to agree to terms with Minnesota a day later.   

Over the course of his seven years in the NFL, Kluwe has punted the ball a total of 520 times for 22,975 yards.  His success earned him a contract extension worth $8.3 million in 2007, making him one of the highest-paid punters in the NFL.

Although Kluwe has never been selected to the Pro Bowl or an All-Pro team, he has continued to force opposing offenses into terrible field position. 

4. Alterraun Verner

Alterraun Verner had one of the best collegiate careers of any UCLA defender over the course of the last decade.  After earning a wide variety of Pac-10 honors during his first few years on campus, the cornerback gained national attention during his senior season. 

As a result, Verner was selected by the Titans in the fourth round of the 2009 draft.

He had a solid rookie season in Tennessee, playing in each of his team's games and starting in 12 of those contests.  Verner completed the year with 101 tackles and three interceptions. 

Although his numbers have not been as great this season, Alterraun Verner has a bright future in the NFL.   

3. Kenyon Coleman

Although Kenyon Coleman has never repeated the success that earned him All-Pac-10 honors during his time at UCLA, this defensive end has maintained a spot on an NFL roster for the past 11 years. 

A fifth-round pick by the Raiders in the 2002 draft, Coleman has played for four teams during his professional career. 

His best season came in 2007, when he totaled 83 tackles as a member of the Jets. 

Overall, Coleman has accumulated 321 tackles and 12.5 sacks in 128 games played.  He is currently in his second stint with the Cowboys and has appeared in all 10 of his team's games this season.    

2. Marcedes Lewis

There is no question that Marcedes Lewis is the best tight end in UCLA history.  Not only does he hold virtually every single school record at the position, but he is also the only Bruin to ever win the John Mackey Award, which is given to the best tight end in the country each season. 

After his senior campaign in 2005, Lewis was selected by the Jaguars with the 28th overall pick in the draft. 

Lewis has been the favorite target of David Garrard and the other Jacksonville quarterbacks over the course of the last six seasons.  He has caught 204 passes for 2,458 yards and 17 touchdowns throughout his career.

Lewis' best season came last year, when he set a Jaguars franchise record with 10 touchdown receptions.  That stat helped earn Lewis his first trip to the Pro Bowl.

Over the offseason, he was given the franchise tag and signed to a new deal to keep him with the Jaguars for years to come. 

1. Maurice Jones-Drew

I do not think that it should come as a surprise that Maurice Jones-Drew is the best UCLA player currently in the NFL. 

After he finished his junior year as consensus All-American, Jones-Drew was selected by the Jaguars with the 60th overall pick in the 2006 draft.

Many believed that his small 5'7" frame would hurt him, but he has used his height to his advantage.  Ever since he accumulated 2,250 total yards and finished behind Vince Young for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2006, Jones-Drew has been one of the most dangerous backs in the league.

He has emerged into a superstar and is often regarded as one of the best players, period.  MJD was selected to the Pro Bowl team for the first time in 2009 and then again in 2010.  He has also been honored as an All-Pro member the past two years. 

His greatest achievement came at the end of last season, when the NFL Alumni named him the best running back in the league.

At just age 26, Maurice Jones-Drew's 6,189 yards and 59 touchdowns have him on pace for a place in Canton.