Not every NFL star took the red carpet path through college football’s elite programs. Some of them couldn’t even get a callback from a Power 5 school, let alone a scholarship offer.
These guys went from getting overlooked by the biggest programs in the country to proving everyone wrong on Sundays. It’s a reminder that stars can come from anywhere—and that recruiters don’t always get it right.
13. David Johnson
Coming out of high school in Iowa, Johnson didn’t attract a single Power 5 program. He ended up at Northern Iowa and eventually became a Pro Bowl running back in the NFL.
12. Julian Edelman
Edelman wasn’t heavily recruited and had to start his college career at the College of San Mateo. After transferring to Kent State, he turned heads as a quarterback and later became a Super Bowl MVP wide receiver.
11. Carson Wentz
Wentz didn’t get a sniff from the Power 5 and ended up at FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. He turned that opportunity into a top-2 NFL Draft pick and a Super Bowl ring (even if he watched that part from the sidelines).
10. Jimmy Garoppolo
Garoppolo flew under the radar in high school and landed at Eastern Illinois. He turned his small-school chance into an NFL career that includes multiple playoff runs and a Super Bowl appearance.
9. Darius Leonard
Despite racking up tackles in high school, Leonard didn’t receive a single Power 5 offer. He enrolled at South Carolina State and became a two-time All-Pro in the NFL.
8. Adam Thielen
Thielen’s only offer came from Minnesota State after zero interest from big-name schools. He eventually walked on with the Vikings and made himself into one of the league’s most reliable receivers.
7. Khalil Mack
Mack was lightly recruited due to a late start in football and ended up at Buffalo. From there, he turned into a defensive monster and a perennial All-Pro.
6. Austin Ekeler
No Power 5 offers came for Ekeler, who ended up at Western Colorado. He bet on himself and climbed the ranks to become a touchdown machine in the NFL.
5. Josh Allen
Allen barely got any looks in high school and had to go the junior college route before landing at Wyoming. Now he’s one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the league and a face of the franchise in Buffalo.
4. Cooper Kupp
Kupp didn’t get a single Power 5 offer despite putting up monster numbers in high school. He dominated at Eastern Washington and went on to lead the NFL in receptions, yards, and touchdowns in one season.
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3. J.J. Watt
Watt began his college career as a tight end at Central Michigan before transferring and walking on at Wisconsin, which was technically a non-Power 5 school when he joined. He became a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and a future Hall of Famer.
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2. Davante Adams
Adams had to take the JUCO route before landing at Fresno State, getting completely ignored by the Power 5. That didn’t stop him from becoming one of the most unguardable receivers of the past decade.
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1. Antonio Brown
Brown didn’t meet the academic requirements for most schools and ended up at Central Michigan. He turned that one chance into a Hall-of-Fame-caliber career—on the field, at least.
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