FBS college football is the path to the NFL. Time to break down the best player from each of the top-level schools to make it to the pros. The choices are made by the conferences in which the schools currently reside.
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| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
AAC
The conference has come together in recent years but its schools have history and some of the names are great players.
UCF: Brandon Marshall
The controversial Brandon Marshall has had a stellar NFL career. He needs 30 more catches to reach 1,000 and has caught balls for more than 12,350 yards.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Temple: Joe Klecko
A legend in Gang Green. Joe Klecko was a member of the New York Sack Exchange. One of the brightest moments for New York Jets fans.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Cincinnati: Brig Owens
Brig Owens was voted one of the 80 Greatest Washington Redskins. He played his entire career for Washington, picking off 36 passes and scoring eight touchdowns.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
South Florida: Jason Pierre-Paul
Jason Pierre-Paul has 71 sacks in nine seasons. Three times he has reached double digits, including 16.5 in 2011.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
East Carolina: Chris Johnson
The fleet Chris Johnson broke into the NFL with six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. In 2009, he rushed for 2,006 yards and scored 14 touchdowns.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Connecticut: Donald Brown
Donald Brown played seven seasons in the NFL and rushed for nearly 3,000 yards and scored 18 TDs rushing.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Houston: Robert Newhouse
The late Robert Newhouse was a member of the Super Bowl XII champion Dallas Cowboys. He played 12 seasons, all with Dallas, rushed for nearly 4,800 yards and was a great blocker, too.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Memphis: Isaac Bruce
Isaac Bruce played 16 seasons, caught 1,024 passes for 15,208 yards and 91 touchdowns.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Tulane: Richie Petitbon
Richie Petitbon played 14 seasons, 10 for the Chicago Bears. He made 37 of his 48 interceptions for Chicago, including one that was returned for 101 yards in 1962.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
SMU: Eric Dickerson
Eric Dickerson rushed for better than 13,000 yards and scored 90 touchdowns in a storied career.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Tulsa: Steve Largent
A seven-time Pro Bowler, Steve Largent caught 819 passes for better than 13,000 yards and scored 100 touchdowns.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Navy: Roger Staubach
Roger Staubach was a legend before he went to the Dallas Cowboys. A Heisman winner out of Navy, Staubach put his career on hold to serve his country. With Dallas, he was a two-time Super Bowl winner and six-time Pro Bowler.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
ACC
There have been many great players to play at current ACC schools.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Clemson: Brian Dawkins
A nine-time Pro Bowler, Brian Dawkins was a member of the 2018 Class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Syracuse: Jim Brown
Some names speak for themselves. Jim Brown is one of them.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
North Carolina State: Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers was drafted by the New York Giants, dealt to the Chargers for Eli Manning. He’s been a passing machine on the West Coast.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Boston College: Luke Kuechly
A defensive force, Luke Kuechly is one of the top linebackers of this or many generations.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Florida State: Deion Sanders
Prime Time. Fifty-three interceptions. Nine TD returns. Throw in one of the most spectacular returners in NFL history and you have Deion Sanders.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Wake Forest: Bill George
In addition to his 18 career interceptions, Bill George recovered 19 fumbles, and in 1954 scored 25 points on 13 PATs and four field goals. He was a mainstay on the 1963 Chicago Bears championship team.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Louisville: Johnny Unitas
Johnny U. A ninth-round pick in 1955. A three-time NFL champ and one-time Super Bowl champ. “The Golden Arm” threw for 40,000 yards in a career where the ball wasn’t flung around the way it is today.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Pitt: Tony Dorsett
Four-time Pro Bowler, an NFL Rookie of the Year, Tony Dorsett rushed for 12,739 yards and 77 touchdowns in a fabulous career.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Georgia Tech: Calvin Johnson
Megatron. Calvin Johnson played nine years and caught 83 TD passes. The former Georgia Tech star grabbed 731 passes and averaged almost 16 yards per reception.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Virginia: Ronde Barber
One of the Barber twins. Ronde Barber was on the defensive side for the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Bucs. A five-time Pro Bowler had 47 interceptions, 15 forced fumbles and scored 14 touchdowns.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Miami: Ed Reed
Ed Reed was the definition of a ball hawk and force in the secondary. He picked off 64 passes, returned seven for touchdowns, including two for better than 100 yards.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Virginia Tech: Bruce Smith
A No. 1 overall pick out of Virginia Tech, Bruce Smith was the centerpiece of the Buffalo Bills’ defense in their runs to four consecutive Super Bowls.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Duke: Sonny Jurgensen
Sonny Jurgensen appeared in 218 games (147 starts) over 18 seasons with the Eagles and the Washington Redskins. He was a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro while leading the league in passing yards five times and passing touchdowns twice.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
North Carolina: Lawrence Taylor
LT. A legendary linebacker. Speaks for himself.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Big 12
A talent-laden conference is the Big 12. You can recognize the names and faces of almost every player on this list.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Oklahoma: Lee Roy Selmon
Lee Roy Selmon was the No. 1 overall pick in 1976 out of Oklahoma. A six-time Pro Bowler, Selmon became a force during his NFL career.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Iowa State: Marcus Robertson
Marcus Robertson played 12 seasons in the NFL. He picked off 24 passes and was a two-time All-Pro.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Texas: Earl Campbell
The Tyler Rose was an absolute legend and force in the NFL. He rushed for 9,400 yards, most as a Houston Oiler. Campbell led the league in rushing in his first three seasons.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
West Virginia: Sam Huff
A five-time Pro Bowler and NFL champ in 1956, Sam Huff was one of the best linebackers of his time. He intercepted 30 passes, recovered 17 fumbles and scored five TDs in a career spent with the New York Giants and Washington.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
TCU: LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tomlinson only started his NFL career with eight consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He wound up with 18,456 total yards in an 11-year career.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Baylor: Mike Singletary
One of the legendary linebackers who have played for the Chicago Bears. Mike Singletary was strong and cerebral.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Kansas State: Terence Newman
Terence Newman was a two-time Pro Bowler in a career that spanned from 2003-17. He was a fifth overall selection in the 2003 NFL Draft.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Texas Tech: Patrick Mahomes
5,000-50.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Oklahoma State: Barry Sanders
One of the best running backs of all-time. Barry Sanders never rushed for less than 1,115 yards in any season. He led the NFL in rushing four times in his 10-year career. Overall, he rushed for 15,269 yards and 99 TDs.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Kansas: Gale Sayers
The Kansas Comet. If a knee injury had not derailed his career, who knows what greatness would have occurred?
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Big Ten
Another conference that created difficult choices. However, Michigan was fairly simple. Six Super Bowl rings will do that.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Ohio State: Paul Warfield
Paul Warfield came to the Cleveland Browns and was part of their last championship. He then became one of the key components of the great Miami Dolphins teams. Warfield averaged better than 20 yards a catch in his career and he caught 85 TD passes.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Michigan: Tom Brady
Six Super Bowl rings.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Penn State: Franco Harris
So much more than the Immaculate Reception.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Michigan State: Bubba Smith
One of the great big men to play the game before big men started to dominate the game.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Maryland: Randy White
The Manster put fear into the heart of every offensive lineman he faced.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Indiana: Pete Pihos
The only Hoosier in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Pete Pihos was nicknamed “The Golden Greek,”
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Rutgers: Deron Cherry
Deron Cherry went from free agent to six-time Pro Bowler. Talk about a steal in signing an undrafted player.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Northwestern: Otto Graham
One of the great players of all-time. Graham wore two numbers. The 14 in the picture and also No. 60. Per SI.com: Graham wore two numbers during his career. First was No. 60, which he wore until 1953 when the NFL issued its first mandate that positions would be required to wear certain numbers. Graham wore No. 14 after that but didn’t want a new jersey.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Wisconsin: J.J. Watt
The great defensive lineman could have been the best from Central Michigan. However, J.J. Watt transferred to Wisconsin and became the top Badger.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Purdue: Drew Brees
On his way to the Pro Football HOF one day, Drew Brees is the best Boilermaker. No easy feat from a school that produced many stellar quarterbacks.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Iowa: Reggie Roby
GettyImages
Argue all you want but Reggie Roby was able to change the way people looked at punters. Talk about a thunderous leg.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Nebraska: Roger Craig
A multi-time Super Bowl champ, Roger Craig was part of the vaunted San Francisco 49ers offense during the team’s dynasty years.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Minnesota: Carl Eller
One of the Purple People Eaters, Carl Eller was one of the top defensive linemen of his generation. He did his damage in college and the pros.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Illinois: Dick Butkus
The ultimate Monster of the Midway was Dick Butkus on the gridiron.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Conference USA
One player stands above all from this conference. And one player’s nickname is better than all others.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Middle Tennessee: Don Griffin
Don Griffn spent 11 years in the NFL. He was the 1986 NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year, UPI First Team All-Pro in 1989, UPI Second Team All-Pro in 1987 and 1990, and part of the All-NFC team. His career included 25 interceptions, 465 tackles, and 12 fumble recoveries.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Marshall: Randy Moss
You have to be fantastic to be as controversial as Randy Moss was. If you aren’t no one would put up with the issues. One of the best receivers of all-time.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
FIU: T.Y. Hilton
T.Y. Hilton has been better than 8,000 receiving yards in seven seasons. In 2016, he caught 91 passes for 1,448 yards.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Charlotte: Larry Ogunjobi
A third-round pick Larry Ogunjobi has 6.5 sacks over two seasons with the Browns.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
FAU: Alfred Morris
Quietly, Alfred Morris has rushed for nearly 6,000 yards and 34 TDs in seven seasons.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Old Dominion: Rick Lovato
Someone was going to have to provide a long snapper for the list. So, the Monarchs’ special teamer has earned a Super Bowl ring in Philly.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Western Kentucky: Rod Smart
There may have been better players but no one — possibly in football history — had a better nickname.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
UAB: Roddy White
Roddy White caught 808 passes for better than 10,800 yards and 63 touchdowns in an 11-year career with the Atlanta Falcons.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
North Texas: Joe Greene
A Steelers legend. Mean Joe Greene was one of the great defensive players in NFL history. A massive part of the Steel Curtain that won four Super Bowls.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Louisiana Tech: Terry Bradshaw
Another Steelers legend. Terry Bradshaw made good on being the No. 1 draft pick in 1970. He threw for nearly 28,000 yards and 212 touchdowns.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Southern Miss: Brett Favre
Another absolute legend. Brett Favre threw for better than 71,000 yards and 508 touchdowns.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
UTSA: Marcus Davenport
Early in his career, Marcus Davenport has shown he has the goods to be a force. He had 4.5 sacks as a rookie and helped bolster the Saints’ DL.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
UTEP: Don Maynard
Joe Namath’s favorite receiver. Don Maynard played in the storied 1958 NFL Championship game as a New York Giant and was a Jet in Super Bowl III.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Rice: Frank Ryan
Any quarterback who can win a championship for the Cleveland Browns belongs on this list. Frank Ryan led the NFL in passing TDs twice during his career.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Independents
The independents have whittled over the years. Still, there are great players from the handful of schools that remain without a conference tie.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Notre Dame: Joe Montana
No explanation needed.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
BYU: Steve Young
See, Montana, Joe.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Liberty: Eric Green
Eric Green played 10 seasons, most with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He caught 362 passes and scored 36 TDs.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Army: Alejandro Villanueva
A current star on the Steelers, Alejandro Villanueva is a two-time Pro Bowler. Pretty good for an OL who went undrafted out of Army.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
New Mexico State: Charley Johnson
Charley Johnson threw for more than 24,400 yards and 170 TDs in a 15-year career that saw him play for the St. Louis Cardinals, the Houston Oilers and Denver Broncos.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
UMass: Victor Cruz
A great free-agent signee by the New York Giants. Cruz caught 25 TD passes, including one that went for 99 yards.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
MAC
The MAC has produced Hall-of-Famers and players who one day will be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Buffalo: Khalil Mack
Khalil Mack will go down as one of the great players acquired by trade in NFL history. The Raiders will rue the day they sent Mack to Chicago.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Miami (Ohio): Ben Roethlisberger
Ben Roethlisberger is on the path to Canton. Part of the 2004 first round that produced Eli Manning and Philip Rivers.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Ohio: Dave Zastudil
Averaged almost 44 yards on 869 career punts. The punter deserves some spotlight.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Bowling Green: Shaun Suisham
Giving some kicker love here. Shaun Suisham played 12 seasons and hit 84 percent of his field goals.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Akron: Jason Taylor
Six-time Pro Bowler was inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017, his first year of eligibility.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Kent State: Jack Lambert
An absolute force for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Like others on the list a mainstay of the Steel Curtain. One of the greats.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Northern Illinois: Michael Turner
A two-time Pro Bowler, Michael Turner rushed for more than 7,300 yards in his career. In 2008, he rushed for 1,699 yards and 17 TDs for the Falcons.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Eastern Michigan: T.J. Lang
Two-time Pro Bowler and one-time Super Bowl champ, T.J. Lang has been a stalwart on the offensive lines of the Packers and Lions. If we were going outside the box to the sidelines, George Allen would have gotten the call.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Toledo: Emlen Tunnell
Emlen Tunnell was the first African-American to play for the New York Giants and the first to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was a two-time NFL champ and nine-time Pro Bowler.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Western Michigan: Greg Jennings
Greg Jennings was on the receiving end of many passes from Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. He caught 571 balls, 64 of which went for TDs.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Ball State: Timmy Brown
Timmy Brown was a two-time NFL champ and three-time Pro Bowler. He went on to a successful career as an actor.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Central Michigan: Antonio Brown
Greatness continues … the only question is where for Antonio Brown.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Mountain West
Another of the FBS conferences that has produced some great names and fun games while not garnering all the spotlight.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Boise State: Kimo von Oelhoffen
Kimo von Oelhoffen is a one-time Super Bowl champ who has 26.5 sacks in his career.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Utah State: Merlin Olsen
A member of the legendary Fearsome Foursome, Merlin Olsen also went on to a career in Hollywood and as a pitchman for FTD. He was a 14-time Pro Bowler.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Wyoming: Jay Novacek
A five-time Pro Bowler, Jay Novacek caught 422 passes, 30 of which went for TDs. Nice career for a sixth-round pick.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Air Force: Chad Hennings
Chad Hennings had a nine-year career for the Cowboys. Great stuff for someone who started as a 26-year old rookie in 1992 that was drafted in 1988.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Colorado State: Jack Christiansen
Jack Christiansen was a three-time NFL champ and five-time Pro Bowler. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
New Mexico: Brian Urlacher
Brian Urlacher was another of the legendary linebackers for the Chicago Bears.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Fresno State: Lorenzo Neal
Lorenzo Neal (pictured, left) player 16 seasons and was a four-time Pro Bowler as the model for a blocking fullback.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Nevada: Colin Kaepernick
Politics aside, Colin Kaepernick got the Niners to a Super Bowl and was a stellar running and passing quarterback.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Hawaii: Jason Elam
Jason Elam was a four-time Pro Bowler and scored 1,983 points in a career that saw him connect on better than 80 percent of his field goals.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
San Diego State: Marshall Faulk
A Pro Football HOFer in 2011 and College Football HOFer in 2011.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
UNLV: Randall Cunningham
Randall Cunningham threw for almost 30,000 yards and rushed for nearly 5,000 more.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
San Jose State: Gill Byrd
Gill Byrd was a two-time Pro Bowler who made 42 interceptions in a career that saw him play for the San Diego Chargers, who made him a first-round pick in 1983.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Pac-12
A conference that has produced national champs and plenty of NFL stars. Gronk may not be the biggest one but he certainly has the most fun.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Washington: Warren Moon
A CFL and NFL legend. Warren Moon was a nine-time Pro Bowler who threw for about 70,000 combined yards.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Washington State: Jason Hanson
Jason Hanson played 21 years for the Detroit Lions and scored 2,150 points.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Oregon: Dan Fouts
A six-time Pro Bowler, Dan Fouts threw for 43,000 yards and 254 TDs.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Oregon State: Chad Johnson
A colorful and controversial diva wide receiver, Chad Johnson caught 766 balls for better than 11,000 yards.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Stanford: John Elway
Legend.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Cal: Aaron Rodgers
Legend.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Utah: Steve Smith
Steve Smith was one of the toughest receivers in the game. He caught 1,031 passes for 14,731 yards and 81 touchdowns.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Arizona State: Randall McDaniel
Randall McDaniel made the Vikings look great for selecting him 19th overall in 1988. The 12-time Pro Bowler is a Pro Football Hall of Famer.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
USC: Marcus Allen
One of the great running backs of all-time. Marcus Allen is a Super Bowl champ, Super Bowl MVP and six-time Pro Bowler.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Arizona: Rob Gronkowski
The Gronk will go down as one of the most talented tight ends the game has seen and one of the most fun characters in it.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
UCLA: Troy Aikman
One of the triplets who turned the Dallas Cowboys around. Troy Aikman is a three-time Super Bowl champ, Super Bowl MVP and six-time Pro Bowler.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Colorado: Cliff Branch
Cliff Branch defined speed receiver and deep threat that the Oakland Raiders love. The 14-year vet is a three-time Super Bowl champ and four-time Pro Bowler.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
SEC
A star-studded conference that has produced some amazing players over the decades.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Georgia: Fran Tarkenton
The man who turned the scramble into an art form. Fran Tarkenton was one of the most exciting and unpredictable quarterbacks of his generation.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Kentucky: George Blanda
An absolute legend on so many levels. George Blanda provided thrills in the NFL and AFL and managed to defy age at the same time.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Florida: Emmitt Smith
One of the great running backs of all-time, Emmitt Smith was a three-time Super Bowl champ in a career that saw him rush for more than 18,000 yards.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
South Carolina: Sterling Sharpe
Wish Sterling Sharpe’s career had not been cut short. He was on course to be one of the game’s great receivers of all-time.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Missouri: Mel Gray
Mel Gray could receive, return and was a four-time Pro Bowler after being selected in the sixth round in 1971.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Vanderbilt: Will Wofford
Will Wofford was a three-time Pro Bowler in a career that saw him play for the Bills, Colts and Steelers.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Tennessee: Peyton Manning
Legend.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Alabama: Ozzie Newsome
One of the great tight ends — and executives — in NFL history. Ozzie Newsome earns the nod in a school that produces plenty of NFL greats.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Texas A&M: Von Miller
A linebacker who gives opposing teams trouble. Von Miller is playing his way to a place in Canton.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
LSU: Alan Faneca
Rick Stewart/Getty Images
Alan Faneca was a nine-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl winner.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Mississippi State: Eric Moulds
Eric Moulds was five yard short of 10,000 receiving and one TD short of 50 in his career.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Auburn: Bo Jackson
An all-time great. Two sports, no less. Sad that injuries cut Bo Jackson’s career short.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Ole Miss: Eli Manning
Giants fans won’t appreciate Eli Manning and the Super Bowls he brought them until he retires.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Arkansas: Steve Atwater
Steve Atwater is a two-time Super Bowl champ and eight-time Pro Bowler.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Sun Belt
This conference has produced some big names and others that aren’t headline-grabbers.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Appalachian State: Mark Royals
Another punter makes the list. Mark Royals played from 1987-2003.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Troy: DeMarcus Ware
A beast of a defensive lineman, DeMarcus Ware had 138.5 sacks in a 12-year career.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Georgia Southern: Rob Bironas
Rob Bironas was a 2007 Pro Bowler. He hit better than 85 percent of his kicks with a long of 60.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Coastal Carolina: Josh Norman
Josh Norman made the Pro Bowl in 2015. He’s also no stranger to headlines as one of the more loquacious players in the game.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Georgia State: Albert Wilson
Albert Wilson has nearly 2,000 yards in receptions on 150 catches in five seasons for Kansas City and Miami.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Louisiana: Jake Delhomme
Jake Delhomme led the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl, where he connected with Muhsin Muhammad on an 85-yard scoring play. It wasn’t enough as Carolina fell to Adam Vinatieri and the Patriots.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Arkansas State: Bill Bergey
A ferocious linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles, Bill Bergey was a five-time Pro Bowler.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
UL Monroe: Doug Pederson
Okay, maybe he wasn’t the absolute best to play for UL Monroe, but Doug Pederson gets cut major slack for coaching the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl championship.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
South Alabama: Gerald Everett
Gerald Everett has played two seasons with 49 catches, including five for touchdowns. Two of the scoring receptions came in the final quarter of the Rams’ 54-51 victory over the Chiefs last season.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
Texas State: Ricky Sanders
Ricky Sanders was a standout performer in Super Bowl XXII, catching nine passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns, while also returning three kickoffs for 46 yards. He is a two-time Super Bowl champ.
| AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Top |
