When you look at the schools that produce the most NFL draft picks, it's no surprise that name pops up. Notre Dame Fighting Irish. USC Trojans. Ohio State Buckeyes. All established schools in college football.
However, sometimes schools known for their basketball make a splash by acquiring promising players. The North Carolina Tar Heels are best known for their prowess on the basketball court, but they are also the alma mater of New England Patriots quarterback and 2024 No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye.
Here are some notable NFL legends who went on to their professional careers from traditional basketball schools.
George Blanda
kentucky wildcats
draft: 1949
choose: No.119
After a successful collegiate career at the University of Kentucky, Blanda went on to have an impressive 26-year professional career that spanned four teams and two leagues.
Blanda played both kicker and quarterback, and his best years were with the Houston Oilers. He joined the team after returning from a brief retirement and led the Oilers to two AFL titles. The 1961 AFL Player of the Year was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.
sonny jurgensen
duke blue devils
draft: 1957
choose: No.43
Jurgensen played both sides of the ball for the Blue Devils before moving on to play quarterback in the NFL. He went on to throw for more than 32,000 yards and 255 passing touchdowns as part of his long career that included five Pro Bowl appearances. Jurgensen was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.
Lawrence Taylor
north carolina tar heels
draft: 1981
choose: No.2
One of the best defensive players of all time, Taylor was named Defensive Player of the Year in his rookie season out of North Carolina and never looked back.
Taylor would go on to amass an incredible resume as a linebacker for the New York Giants, including nine All-Pro selections, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and two Super Bowl appearances. He became the second defensive player to win league MVP in 1986 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Antoine Randall Elle
indiana hoosiers
draft: 2002
choose: No.62
Randle El is best known in the NFL as a wide receiver, but he was the quarterback for the Hoosiers from 1998 to 2001. His background as a quarterback would benefit him from his most famous moment as a pro, when he threw a 43-yard touchdown. Hines Ward helped the Pittsburgh Steelers secure victory in Super Bowl XL. He was the only wide receiver at the time to throw a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl.
Gail Sayers
kansas jayhawks
draft: 1965
choose: No.4
Despite only playing four full seasons due to injury, Sayers had a very fulfilling professional career. He led the league in total rushing yards twice and averaged three per game.
Sayers earned Pro Bowl honors every year and finished his career with an impressive 39 touchdowns in 65 games. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a member of his 1977 class in Canton.
howie long
villanova wildcats
draft: 1981
choose: No.48
It wouldn't be a stretch if you didn't even know Villanova has a football team and the Wildcats play at the FCS level. But this is the alma mater of Las Vegas Raiders legend Howie Long, one of his best defensive linemen in the NFL.
Long played 13 seasons with the organization, making eight Pro Bowl appearances to go with his victory in Super Bowl XVIII. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in his 2001 year.
troy aikman
UCLA Bruins
draft: 1989
choose: No.1
Aichman began his college career with the Oklahoma Sooners, but ultimately chose to transfer to Westwood and play at UCLA. This decision paid off, as Aikman improved and he became the No. 1 pick in the 1989 NFL Draft.
He spent 12 seasons as quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, winning three Super Bowls in the process. A six-time Pro Bowler, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the 2006 class.
ronde barber shop
virginia cavaliers
draft: 1997
choose: No.66
A symbol of stability for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Barber started more than 230 games for the Sunshine State, including 215 consecutive regular season starts. Along the way, the former Cavalier was named an All-Pro three times and a Pro Bowler five times.
Barber also played a key role in the Buccaneers' Super Bowl XXXVII victory and was inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer.