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People call it “NFLSU” these days, but LSU has been sending players to the NFL since the league’s inception.
The Tigers claim three Hall of Famers, as well as a host of Pro Bowlers and All-Pro players. While many of the best NFL alumni in school history come from prior to LSU’s recent run as one of the best college programs for NFL talent in the country, that won’t last long.
With stars like Odell Beckham Jr. and Eric Reid still early in their careers, with more stars joining them in the NFL every year, this all-time list of LSU’s NFL alumni will likely look much different a decade from now.
One note before we dive in: we cheated a little bit here. Billy Cannon, the greatest player in LSU history, was a dominant running back who moved to tight end due to injury and helped redefine the position. While he’s one of the greatest pros in LSU history, winning three championships, he played his entire career in the AFL. His accomplishments merited inclusion here, though.
Offense
QB: Y.A. Tittle (1948-64: Baltimore Colts, San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants)#
RB1: Steve Van Buren (1944-51: Philadelphia Eagles)#
RB2: Kevin Faulk (1999-2011: New England Patriots)
FB: Jim Taylor (1958-67: Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints)#
OL: Kevin Mawae (1994-2009: Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans)
OL: Alan Faneca (1998-2010: Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals)
OL: Todd McClure (2000-12: Atlanta Falcons)
OL: Dan Alexander (1977-89: New York Jets)
OL: Andrew Whitworth (2006-present: Cincinnati Bengals)
TE: Billy Cannon (1960-1970: Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs)*
WR1: Dwayne Bowe (2007-present: Kansas City Chiefs)
WR2: Eric Martin (1985-1994: New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs)
Defense
DL: Kyle Williams (2006-present: Buffalo Bills)
DL: Leonard Marshall (1983-1994: New York Giants, New York Jets, Washington Redskins)
DL: Henry Thomas (1987-2000: Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots)
DL: Fred Miller (1963-72: Baltimore Colts)
LB: Michael Brooks (1987-1996: Denver Broncos, New York Giants, Detroit Lions)
LB: Eric Hill (1989-99: Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, San Diego Chargers)
LB: Roy Winston (1962-76: Minnesota Vikings)
DB: Tommy Casanova (1972-77: Cincinnati Bengals)
DB: Johnny Robinson (1960-71: Dallas Texans, Kansas City Chiefs)
DB: Patrick Peterson (2011-present: Arizona Cardinals)
DB: Jerry Stovall (1963-71: St. Louis Cardinals)
Special teams
P/K: Tommy Davis (1959-1969: San Francisco 49ers)
RS: Trindon Holliday (2011-present: five teams)
#Pro Football Hall of Fame member
*Played career in AFL
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
