SEC dominates other leagues in former players on active NFL rosters
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
As the 2025 NFL season kicks off on Thursday with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles facing the Dallas Cowboys, it’s an annual reminder of the SEC’s sheer dominance in terms of producing pro talent. On3’s Brett McMurphy recently compiled the data and the evidence of overwhelming.
In terms of NFL players on active rosters, Alabama (62) and Georgia (57) are first and second, respectively. LSU (39) is tied for fifth, Texas (37) is eighth, Oklahoma (32) is 10th, and Florida (31) is 11th.
Texas A&M (27) has the 13th-most former players on active rosters, while Tennessee (26) is tied for 14th and South Carolina (25) is tied for 18th.
It’s a jarring stat when you look at it on a macro scale, as even the mid-tier SEC programs are steadily churning out pros.
The defending Super Bowl champs are especially loaded with SEC talent.
Last season’s Super Bowl MVP, Jalen Hurts, began his college career at Alabama and then transferred to Oklahoma. One of his main wide receivers, A.J. Brown, starred at Ole Miss before becoming a 3-time Pro Bowl selection. DeVonta Smith, another of his main targets, captured the Heisman Trophy at Alabama in 2020. Linebacker Nolan Smith Jr., a Georgia product, was second on the Eagles last season with 6.5 sacks.
Here’s to another exciting season filled with memorable moments from SEC alums.
