Transition from College Football to NFL

Hey everyone, I'm really serious about my football, so like... do most college football players go to the NFL? Just trying to weigh out some realities here.

While it's great that you're passionate about your football, it's important to look at the reality of the transition from college football to the NFL. Many college football players harbor hopes of making it into the NFL, but the percentage of those who actually get drafted by an NFL team is quite small—less than 2%. This ratio varies by position and conference, but overall, it remains a daunting venture.

For example, to give you a rough idea, in 2020, there were approximately 73,000 college football players (including Division I, II, and III). That same year, only 256 players were drafted into the NFL. While you can make an NFL roster without being drafted, only a few dozen extra players are signed as "undrafted free agents."

Additionally, even once you make the NFL, you have to reckon with the reality that, for the vast majority of players, NFL stands for "Not For Long." The average career is just 3 years, and can easily be derailed by a fluke injury, coaching change, or other factors outside of your control.

While the odds may seem slim, it doesn't mean that you shouldn't aspire and work hard for your NFL dreams. However, having a backup career plan in place is essential. A significant part of a college education, besides playing sports, is gaining knowledge and skills for a non-athletic profession.

To summarize, you should also consider your educational aspirations when choosing a school, not just your sports aspirations. Shoot for the stars, but there's no way around the fact that making the NFL is extremely difficult, even for the most talented players, and you want to make sure you're able to adapt to whatever curveballs (or, more fittingly, third and longs) life throws your way.

Best of luck!