Making it to the NFL is a dream that requires talent, dedication, and often, a bit of luck. While many stars are heavily recruited as high school standouts, some of the league’s best players were barely noticed before making their mark in college and beyond.
Here are 20 NFL stars who overcame being overlooked in high school to become legends on the field.
1. Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers had no FBS offers out of high school in California and had to prove himself at Butte Community College before getting a shot at Cal. He went on to become one of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game.
2. Khalil Mack
Mack was only a two-star recruit with just one FBS offer—Buffalo. He turned that opportunity into a dominant college career and became the No. 5 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
3. Cooper Kupp
Despite setting records in high school, Kupp received zero FBS offers. Eastern Washington took a chance on him, and he became an NFL superstar, winning Super Bowl MVP.
4. T.Y. Hilton
Hilton was lightly recruited and landed at Florida International University. He became one of the NFL’s most consistent deep threats.
5. Antonio Brown
A late bloomer, Brown had no major offers and played at Central Michigan as a walk-on. His talent earned him a shot in the NFL, where he became one of the best receivers of his era.
6. Baker Mayfield
Mayfield walked on at Texas Tech before transferring to Oklahoma, where he won the Heisman Trophy. He later became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
7. Bobby Wagner
Despite being a high school standout, Wagner received little attention and ended up at Utah State. He became a key part of Seattle’s dominant defense and a future Hall of Famer.
8. Jordy Nelson
Nelson was an unheralded high school quarterback in Kansas and converted to wide receiver at Kansas State. He eventually became a Super Bowl champion and Pro Bowler.
9. J.J. Watt
Watt was a two-star recruit who started as a tight end at Central Michigan before transferring to Wisconsin and switching to defensive end. The move paid off—he became a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
10. Le’Veon Bell
Bell had minimal interest out of high school but found a home at Michigan State. His patience and vision made him one of the NFL’s top backs for several years.
11. Carson Wentz
Wentz was lightly recruited out of North Dakota and played at North Dakota State, where he won multiple FCS championships before becoming the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft.
12. Julian Edelman
Edelman played quarterback in high school and college at Kent State. The Patriots converted him to wide receiver, and he became a three-time Super Bowl champion.
13. DeMarcus Ware
Ware had only a few scholarship offers and attended Troy University, a lesser-known FBS program. He became one of the most dominant pass rushers of his generation.
14. Davante Adams
Adams was lightly recruited out of Palo Alto High School in California and ended up at Fresno State. He dominated in college, earning a second-round selection in the NFL Draft.
15. Hunter Renfrow
Renfrow walked on at Clemson as a lightly recruited player and ended up making one of the most iconic catches in college football history before carving out an NFL career.
16. Jason Kelce
Kelce was a two-star recruit who converted from linebacker to offensive line at Cincinnati. He became one of the best centers in NFL history.
17. Eric Weddle
Weddle was barely recruited and ended up at Utah, where he excelled. His high football IQ and versatility made him a Pro Bowl-caliber safety in the NFL.
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18. Doug Baldwin
Baldwin had minimal college offers and went to Stanford, where he was overlooked. He later became a key piece of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl-winning team.
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19. James Harrison
Harrison went undrafted after being lightly recruited and playing at Kent State. He eventually became a two-time Super Bowl champion and one of the most feared linebackers in the league.
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20. Josh Allen
Allen received zero scholarship offers from FBS schools out of high school in California. He played at Reedley Community College before transferring to Wyoming, where he eventually became a first-round NFL Draft pick.
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