Every great NFL story often has a humble beginning. In this article, we explore the underdog narratives of 15 current or former NFL stars who defied the odds.
From overlooked high school athletes with limited recruitment to undrafted players, each of these athletes has a unique journey of perseverance, tenacity, and talent that propelled them to stardom on football’s biggest stage.
15. Antonio Gates
Antonio Gates, an eight-time Pro Bowl tight end, was a standout in both football and basketball at Detroit’s Central High School. Despite his athletic prowess, Gates went undrafted in the NFL, initially pursuing basketball in college. He signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2003, becoming one of the most successful tight ends in NFL history.
14. Clay Matthews
Clay Matthews, a six-time Pro Bowler, was a late bloomer in high school. Playing for Agoura High in California, he didn’t gain significant attention until his senior year. Matthews walked on at USC, gradually improving over five years before becoming a first-round NFL draft pick in 2009.
13. Jason Pierre-Paul
Jason Pierre-Paul, a two-time Super Bowl champion, only played football in his junior year of high school. Initially focused on basketball at Deerfield Beach High School, he switched to football after a leg injury. Despite his late start, Pierre-Paul’s raw talent and athleticism caught the attention of college recruiters, leading to a successful NFL career.
12. T.Y. Hilton
Despite becoming an NFL star, T.Y. Hilton was underrated in high school. He attended Miami Springs Senior High School but received little recruiting attention. Hilton’s talent blossomed at Florida International University, where he set multiple school records before being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. He went on to become a four-time Pro Bowler.
11. Cooper Kupp
Cooper Kupp, the Los Angeles Rams’ star receiver, was a zero-star recruit out of Davis High School in Yakima, Washington. Despite his athletic prowess in high school, Kupp received no college offers immediately after his senior season. He went on to dominate at the FCS level with Eastern Washington University before becoming an NFL superstar and Super Bowl MVP.
10. Khalil Mack
Khalil Mack, a dominant NFL linebacker, was a late bloomer in football. He only started playing in his senior year at Westwood High School, where he recorded 140 tackles and led the team to a district championship. Despite his impressive performance, Mack was rated just a two-star recruit by Rivals.com due to his limited experience.
9. J.J. Watt
J.J. Watt, now a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was only a two-star recruit coming out of Pewaukee High School in Wisconsin. Despite his current dominance, Watt was not even ranked in the top 1000 players of his graduating class. His determination and work ethic propelled him from an overlooked prospect to one of the NFL’s most feared defensive players.
8. Chris Hogan
Chris Hogan was a two-sport star in high school, excelling in both football and lacrosse. Despite being named first-team all-state in football as a senior, Hogan chose to play lacrosse at Penn State. He later transferred to Monmouth University for one year of college football before going undrafted and eventually becoming a key receiver for the New England Patriots.
7. Lane Johnson
Lane Johnson’s journey from Groveton High School quarterback to NFL star offensive tackle is remarkable. At Groveton, he played QB and competed in track, but was only an honorable mention All-state selection. Johnson’s transformation began in college, where he switched positions multiple times before finding his niche as an offensive lineman at Oklahoma.
6. Carson Wentz
Despite becoming the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Carson Wentz was largely overlooked in high school. At Century High School in Bismarck, North Dakota, Wentz grew from 5’8″ as a freshman to 6’5″ as a senior, transforming into a talented but underrecruited quarterback. His journey from an unheralded prospect to NFL stardom showcases the unpredictability of player development.
5. Malcolm Butler
Malcolm Butler’s journey to NFL stardom began with limited high school experience, playing football only in his freshman and senior years at Vicksburg High School. Despite this, Butler’s talent shone through, earning him a spot at Hinds Community College. His perseverance and skill eventually led to a Super Bowl-winning interception for the New England Patriots, cementing his place in NFL history.
4. Adam Thielen
Adam Thielen’s journey from Detroit Lakes High School to NFL stardom is remarkable. Despite excelling in football, basketball, and golf, Thielen received no Division I scholarship offers. He walked on at Minnesota State University Mankato, a Division II school, before eventually becoming a Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings.
3. Josh Allen
Josh Allen, now a star quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, was largely overlooked in high school. Despite impressive stats at Firebaugh High School, he received no Division I scholarship offers. Allen’s journey took him through junior college before landing at Wyoming, where he developed into a first-round NFL draft pick.
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2. Antonio Brown
Despite his later NFL success, Antonio Brown was largely overlooked in high school. At Miami Norland High, he played multiple positions but received little college attention due to academic issues. Brown’s determination led him to Central Michigan University, where he walked on and became a star receiver, ultimately launching his NFL career.
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1. Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers, now a legendary NFL quarterback, was severely underestimated in high school. At Pleasant Valley High, he stood just 5’3″ as a freshman and grew to only 6’0″ by senior year. Despite impressive stats, Rodgers received no Division I scholarship offers, forcing him to start his college career at Butte Community College before transferring to Cal.
