Two programs sit alone at the top when it comes to churning out active NFL talent, and the numbers are hard to ignore. According to Spotrac, Ohio State and Alabama are tied with 61 current NFL players apiece, the only schools at that level. Those rosters of alumni have also generated roughly $450 million in current earnings for active players.
Ohio State’s place in the mix is hardly a surprise. The Buckeyes’ NFL pipeline includes Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud, and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Plenty of the stars from the 2024-25 championship team are already making big strides at the next level.
Alabama’s case stretches across more eras, with names like Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry and New York Jets defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick among its most recognizable NFL products. The Crimson Tide also have a newer wave of standouts in defensive back Patrick Surtain, linebacker Will Anderson and running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
Behind those two, the list thins out quickly. Georgia is the only other school above 50 current NFL players, with 57. Ten schools total have produced at least 40 active NFL players, and that group includes Penn State at 40, Oregon at 42 and Michigan at 45 from the Big Ten, plus Florida at 42, Texas at 46 and LSU at 49 from the SEC.
Notre Dame lands fifth overall with 47, making it the lone non-SEC, non-Big Ten program inside the top tier. Clemson leads the ACC with 34 current NFL players, which ranks 13th overall. TCU tops the Big 12 with 27, a total that would place it 12th in the SEC.
Outside the Power 4, the top spot is shared. Tulane, Boise State and North Dakota State each have 11 current NFL players. North Dakota State has long been the standard-bearer for FCS programs producing pros, and that status stands even as the Bison move to FBS.
In Other News...
Alabamas Young Defenders Are About To Face Their Real Test
Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack has spent the offseason sorting through a young group on defense, and two names have started to separate themselves from the pack. Ivan Taylor, now entering his second season, and true freshman Xavier Griffin have both earned mention as players who can take on larger roles, with Griffin standing out for the kind of versatility that can help a defense create options across the field.
The important part, though, is still ahead. Wommack has made it clear that offseason progress only matters if it shows up when the games begin, and for Taylor and Griffin, the real examination will come once the lights are on and the pressure rises. Alabama has identified two young defenders worth watching closely, but their next step is proving they can turn promise into dependable production on game days. [Read more 🡒]
Alabamas Run Game Fix Starts With One Frustrating 2025 Problem
Ryan Grubb made it clear this week that if Alabama wants its rushing attack to take a real step forward in 2026, the fix starts before anyone gets to talk about explosive runs. The offensive coordinator pointed to the need to clean up negative-yardage plays, saying the Tide have to be better about communication and getting the right gap assignments so defenders are not slipping through and blowing up snaps in the backfield.
The concern is rooted in what happened in 2025, when Alabama too often found itself chasing lost yardage instead of staying on schedule. Grubb also noted that some of those setbacks came on sacks, which only adds another layer to the frustration for a unit trying to become more efficient and more reliable. Until those negative plays come down, the bigger gains the Tide want on the ground will be harder to find. [Read more 🡒]
DeBoer Just Sent A Strong Message About Alabamas Freshman WR
Kalen DeBoer has already made it clear that Cederian Morgan is not being treated like a long-term project. The Alabama coach said the freshman wide receiver will be part of the receiving core for the 2026 season, and the framing around Morgan suggests the staff sees more than just raw upside. As a former four-star recruit, he arrived with a reputation for talent, but DeBoer pointed just as much to Morgans growth and the broader role the Crimson Tide want him to handle.
There is a reason Alabama is talking about him now, even before the full picture of his college role has taken shape. DeBoer emphasized that Morgan will need to help on offense and on special teams, which usually says plenty about how a program plans to get a young player on the field early and keep him there. For a receiver still building experience, the assignment is straightforward and demanding at the same time: earn trust, broaden the toolbox, and turn promise into a real contribution. [Read more 🡒]