5 NFL stars who had successful college football runs

In some parts of the country, college football is just as big a deal as professional football. Local fans closely follow the careers of college football stars and await draft day almost as eagerly as the players do. There is so much drama, hope, joy and heartbreak surrounding the move up to the NFL.

The MLB drafts players right out of high school, whereas the NBA requires at least one year of college or a gap of at least two years after high school to be eligible. For the NFL, players must be at least three years out of high school and no longer eligible to play college football.

This gives young players a chance to finish growing and to hone their skills – important considerations for such an aggressive and physically taxing sport. While some players choose to put themselves up for the draft as soon as they are eligible, many wait until they graduate.

Having a great record with your school, maybe winning a few bowl games or playing on a team that made it to the playoffs can really raise a player’s desirability in the draft. Coaches and managers want players who have records that make them look like a safe bet.

Some people even bet on the draft. It’s not legal in every market, since it isn’t technically part of a game but where it is legal, it’s an intriguing betting niche. Betting on the draft requires a detailed knowledge of not just the young players available but also of what each NFL team is looking for.

If you’re new to sports betting and looking for the best NFL betting app, there are a few factors to consider. Since the NFL is the top betting sport in the USA, you don’t have to worry about whether or not a betting app will have odds on it – they all will. What those odds are is the real question.

You want a sportsbook that offers odds that fit how you want to bet. Odds aren’t static or purely mathematical. There may be formulas and statistics that contribute to setting them but the oddsmaker also has to consider factors like any tips, the weather, home field advantage and even how people are betting.

No matter how the odds may look, having a successful college football run has a massive impact on how likely it is that a player will be drafted. This article will look at five players currently playing in the NFL who also excelled on their college football teams.

Tee Higgins

Clemson might not be a total powerhouse like some of the bigger state schools, but that doesn’t mean it is incapable of producing some truly talented players. One of the top players who spent his college years at Clemson is Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins.

Tamaurice “Tee” Higgins was scouted for both football and basketball out of high school, and ended up choosing to play football at Clemson. In his sophomore year, he was a starter. He had already distinguished himself, scoring two touchdowns in his freshman year in 13 games.

The team made it to the College Football Playoff National Championship in his sophomore year. He contributed to their win over Alabama in the final game, with three receptions for 81 yards. In his junior year, Higgins scored 13 touchdowns – an impressive improvement from his freshman season.

Higgins chose to waive his final year of college eligibility and declared for the 2020 draft. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round and signed a four-year rookie contract with the team. It might be too early to call him a star but he is certainly on his way.

Joe Burrow

Joe Burrow is a young player who is on his way to NFL stardom. Considering the role he played in ending the Cincinnati Bengals’ playoff win drought, Bengals fans already see him as a hero. The drought had lasted from 1990 to 2021 – the longest playoff win drought of any team in all the four major leagues.

His talents were apparent during his college career. Burrow began his college career at Ohio State. However, due to the fact that Ohio State had other potential starting quarterbacks, he transferred to Louisiana State in 2018.

LSU very quickly realized Burrow’s potential and named him starting quarterback. Even though transitions can be difficult and throw a player off balance, Burrow didn’t wobble. He led LSU to a Fiesta Bowl win and a No. 6 AP ranking.

During the 2019 season, he truly came into his own. His awards for that year paint quite the picture – SEC Offensive Player of the Year, Unanimous All-American, College Player of the Year, the Lombardi Award, the Manning Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and the Heisman, to name just a few.

It was no surprise that he was the first player selected in the 2020 draft. His rookie year ended early due to injury but his first full season made it clear that the Bengals had made a very, very good draft pick.

Cam Newton

Though his career may be nearing its end, Cam Newton has spent the last 10 years becoming an NFL star. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2011, as well as Offensive Player of the Year and MVP in 2015. He has set numerous NFL rushing records, including most rushing touchdowns (75).

Newton won the Heisman Trophy in 2010 as a junior at Auburn University. He had already topped the polls for potential Heisman candidates after his first two months at Auburn, showing that his talent on the field was impossible to ignore.

After leading Auburn to victory over the University of Oregon in the BCS National Championship Game, Newton declared himself for the 2011 draft. He was selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers.

Lamar Jackson

Another quarterback and Heisman winner on our list is Lamar Jackson. This Baltimore Ravens star was drafted in the first round, 32nd overall during the 2018 draft. In his first year with the Ravens, he became the youngest quarterback to start in a playoff game.

Jackson played for the University of Louisville for three seasons and was such a standout player that the school retired his jersey number. In his second two seasons, he threw for over 3,500 yards a season and scored around 20 touchdowns a season.

Travis Kelce

Even though quarterbacks tend to get most of the glory, a football team would be nothing without the rest of the players on the field. Travis Kelce is a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs who has spent his career quietly and consistently working to become one of the best players in the NFL.

Kelce has been consistently ranked as one of the top tight ends currently playing and is considered among the top 100 players active today. His college career showed a similar level of devotion to the hard work of being great. In 2013, his final year at University of Cincinnati, he was named Tight End of the Year.