I love college football, and I've been toying with trying out for it when I go to college. To boost my inspiration, do you guys know any big-name professionals who are also famous college football alumni?
Absolutely, there are a number of professional football players who played college football, some even making significant impacts on their school's programs. Here are a few famous NFL players who were also standouts on their college campuses:
1. Peyton Manning - University of Tennessee: Peyton Manning played for the Tennessee Volunteers from 1994 to 1997 before his successful career in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos.
2. Tom Brady - University of Michigan: Before becoming a legendary quarterback for the New England Patriots and later the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tom Brady sharpened his skills as a player for the Michigan Wolverines.
3. Russell Wilson - NC State University & Wisconsin: Wilson started his college career at NC State University from 2007-2010, then transferred to University of Wisconsin for his last year of NCAA eligibility in 2011. He was then drafted to the NFL and has been a standout player for the Seattle Seahawks.
4. Deshaun Watson - Clemson University: Watson led the Clemson Tigers to a national championship in his final collegiate season before joining the NFL's Houston Texans.
5. Joe Burrow - Ohio State University & Louisiana State University (LSU): Burrow began his college career at Ohio State University and then transferred to LSU in 2018. He led LSU to a national championship in 2019-2020 and won the Heisman Trophy. He was drafted as the No. 1 overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020.
Sports are a great way to engage with your college community, build resilience and teamwork skills, and feel a sense of accomplishment. If you truly love football and have the talent for it, I encourage you to consider trying out for your school's team when you head off to college! You never know where it might lead you.
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