The Best Former College Football Stars Playing in the 2023 Super Bowl
Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles will kick off on Sunday evening from State Farm Stadium in Phoenix, Ariz.
On both teams, there are numerous players who used to be college football stars before making a name for themselves in the NFL.
A lot of players playing in this year's Super Bowl played at Alabama and Florida. But schools like USC, Texas Tech, Michigan, Mississippi State and others will be represented by former players on Sunday night, as well.
Let's run through the best former college football stars playing in the 2023 Super Bowl.
The Eagles Have Several Former College Standouts on Defense
Linebacker Haason Reddick, Temple
Haason Reddick played college football in Philadelphia at Temple, so it's pretty cool that the linebacker plays for the Eagles. In fact, the Owls play their home games at Lincoln Financial Field.
Reddick took a redshirt in 2012, and as a redshirt freshman in 2013, he finished with 14 total tackles, including four for loss and a sack. In 2014, he made two starts as a redshirt sophomore, and finished with 24 total tackles and two sacks.
Reddick finally won the starting job at defensive end in 2015, and finished with 46 total tackles, including 12.5 for loss—tied for eighth in the conference—and five sacks. The Owls won the AAC title that year and had their second 10-win season in school history.
Reddick's best season came as a redshirt senior in 2016. On the year, the defensive end finished with a career-high 65 total tackles and 9.5 sacks; his 22.5 tackles for loss also tied for first in the conference.
The defensive end was drafted 13th overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2017 NFL draft, where he spent four seasons. He spent 2021 with the Carolina Panthers before arriving in Philadelphia for the 2022 season.
Defensive End Josh Sweat, Florida State
Before arriving at Florida State in 2015, Josh Sweat, a former 5-star recruit from the class of 2015, had to overcome a severe injury during his senior season of high school. In 2014, Sweat dislocated his knee, in addition to tearing his ACL, MCL and PCL.
Somehow, Sweat rehabbed and was healthy enough to play for the Noles as a true freshman in 2015. That season, he played in all 13 games for FSU, including nine starts. He finished with 41 total tackles, including two sacks, an interception and three fumbles recovered.
During his sophomore season in 2016, he started 10 games for the Noles, and finished with another 41 total tackles, including 11.5 for loss with seven sacks and a forced fumble. In his third and final season in Tallahassee during the 2017 season, Sweat finished with a career-high 56 total tackles, including 12.5 for loss with 5.5 sacks.
Sweat was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Eagles.
Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Florida
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who went by Chauncey in college, is a former 4-star recruit, and was the nation's No. 4 ranked cornerback in the class of 2016, joining Florida's recruiting class that year.
As a true freshman, Gardner-Johnson saw the field immediately in Gainesville, making three starts in Florida's final three games of the season. He finished with 32 total tackles, including three interceptions—one of which was returned for a touchdown against Iowa in the Outback Bowl.
During his sophomore season at Florida in 2017, Gardner-Johnson started in all 11 games for the Gators that season. He accounted for 58 total tackles, two interceptions and seven passes defended.
In his last season at Florida as a junior in 2018, the cornerback finished with 71 total tackles, including nine for loss with three sacks. He also had four interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. Gardner-Johnson was drafted in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft at 105th overall by the New Orleans Saints. He spent three seasons with the Saints before arriving in Philadelphia in 2022.
Safety Darius Slay, Mississippi State
Darius Slay had a less-traditional path in college than some of the other players we have mentioned so far. Slay actually started his career at the JUCO level, spending two seasons at Itawamba Community College before transferring to Mississippi State.
At the JUCO level, Slay accounted for 68 total tackles, including three forced fumbles and three interceptions, per stats provided on Slay's Mississippi State bio. Slay arrived in Starkville in 2011 as a junior, and he finished the season with 24 total tackles, and an interception returned for a touchdown.
As a senior in 2012, Slay put up the best numbers of his collegiate career, finishing with 40 total tackles and five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.
The defensive back was drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. He spent seven seasons with the Lions before arriving in Philadelphia in 2020.
The Chiefs' Defense Features College Defensive Stars Frank Clark, Carlos Dunlap
Linebacker Carlos Dunlap, Florida
It's pretty impressive that Carlos Dunlap is still playing in the league. The Chiefs linebacker left college 14 years ago—he played at Florida from 2007-09.
Dunlap was on some of the Gators' most talented rosters in school history, playing alongside the likes of Brandon Spikes, Joe Haden, Major Wright and Janoris Jenkins on defense. As a high school recruit, Dunlap was a former 5-star prospect, ranked as the No. 2 strong-side defensive end in the 2007 class.
As a true freshman in 2007, Dunlap finished with seven total tackles and a sack. During his sophomore season in 2008, he played in all 14 of Florida's games that season, finishing with 39 total tackles, 13.5 for loss with 9.5 sacks, which led the team. Dunlap helped the Gators win an SEC and national championship that season.
In his junior season in 2009, Dunlap finished with 38 total tackles, including 10.5 for loss with nine sacks, which also led the team that year.
Dunlap was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft, getting picked 54th overall. He spent 11 years with the Bengals, and two with the Seattle Seahawks before landing with the Chiefs before the 2022 season.
Defensive end Frank Clark, Michigan
Frank Clark started his career at Michigan as a linebacker in 2011. Over his first two seasons in Ann Arbor at the position, he accounted for 31 total tackles with 9.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception. He also had three passes defended and a forced fumble.
But in 2013 as a junior, Clark switched to defensive end. The switch appeared to pay off big-time for Clark, who put up some of the best numbers of his Michigan career that season.
On the year, he finished with a career-high 42 total tackles with 12.5 for loss, five sacks and two fumble recoveries. He had a career-high nine tackles with 2.5 for loss against Michigan State in early November that season. Against Penn State, he finished with two sacks and had two fumble recoveries, including one that was returned for a touchdown, per the school.
During Clark's senior season at Michigan in 2014, he played in 10 games for the Wolverines. He finished with 41 total tackles, with 13 for loss and four sacks. He also forced and recovered a fumble.
Clark was drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He spent four seasons in Seattle before landing in Kansas City in 2019.
Two of Philadelphia's Best Receiving Threats Put Up Some Big Numbers in College
WR A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
Ole Miss didn't have a season better than .500 when wide receiver A.J. Brown was on-campus from 2016-18. But Brown, a former 4-star recruit who was the No. 4 ranked receiver in the 2016 recruiting class, was a bright spot for the Rebels over three seasons.
As a true freshman in 2016, Brown finished Ole Miss' 5-7 season with 29 receptions for 412 yards and two touchdowns. He had a breakout season as a sophomore in Oxford during his 2017 season. That year, he finished first on the team with 75 receptions for 1,252 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, also a team-high.
His best game of the season came in Week 1 against South Alabama. During Ole Miss' 47-27 victory, Brown set a single-game school school record when he finished with eight receptions for 233 yards and two touchdowns. Brown finished his 2017 season averaging 16.7 yards per reception.
As a junior in 2018, Brown had the most receiving yards of his Ole Miss career, finishing with 1,320 on the season. Although he caught less touchdowns than his sophomore season, only getting six in 2018, he still finished first on the team in receiving yards and touchdowns.
Brown was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft, getting picked 51st overall.
TE Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State
Dallas Goedert played his college ball at FCS South Dakota State. FCS players aren't typically college football household names, but Goedert had quite the career at South Dakota State, and he played in two FCS playoff semifinal games, including a quarterfinal in 2016.
As a redshirt freshman in 2014, Goedert finished with 10 receptions for 100 yards, which led South Dakota State's tight ends. During his redshirt sophomore season in 2015, he played in all 12 games for the Jackrabbits, including 10 starts. Goedert finished the season with 26 receptions for 484 receiving yards—good for second on the team—with three touchdowns.
But Goedert had breakout seasons his last two years with the Jackrabbits. As a redshirt junior in 2016, Goedert led the team with 92 receptions—a single-season school record—for 1,293 yards and 11 touchdowns.
In his fourth and final season with the Jackrabbits, Goedert finished with 72 receptions for 1,111 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He also had six games with over 100 yards receiving. The tight end finished his Jackrabbit career third in school history in receptions with 198.
Goedert became the second-highest South Dakota State player drafted in school history when the Eagles selected him in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft at 49th overall.
All stats and school records via South Dakota State.
Chiefs WRs Kadarius Toney and JuJu Smith-Schuster Played at Florida and USC
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney, Florida
Kadarius Toney is listed as a wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs, but he can do it all on offense. Toney played quarterback in high school, but during his four years at Florida, the Gators utilized Toney all over the field.
As a true freshman in 2017, Toney played in eight games, battling some injuries throughout the year. Still, he finished with 287 all-purpose yards, a rushing touchdown, as well as this monster 50-yard pass completion against Kentucky:
In 2018, he had 25 receptions for 260 yards and a touchdown, as well as another 240 yards on the ground. He added six kickoff returns for 133 yards, too. In 2019, Toney missed six games because of injury, but he still finished with 286 all-purpose yards, including a touchdown reception.
As a senior at Florida in 2020, Toney had the best season of his career with the Gators, partially because he was finally fully healthy. Toney finished with a career-high 70 receptions for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 14.1 yards per receptions. He added another 161 yards rushing with a touchdown, and had a combined 18 punt and kickoff returns for 294 yards.
Toney was drafted in 2021 by the New York Giants in the first round at 20th overall, and he was traded to the Chiefs last October.
Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC
JuJu Smith-Schuster was a former 5-star recruit from the class of 2014 and was the No. 3 ranked athlete in his class. Smith-Schuster played his college ball at USC, where he spent three seasons with the Trojans.
As a true freshman in 2014, the wideout finished with 54 receptions for 724 yards and five touchdowns, finishing second on the team in receiving yards. He also returned 11 kickoffs for 132 yards on the season.
He had a breakout season as a sophomore at USC in 2015. That season, he had a career-high 89 receptions for 1,454 yards—good for fourth in the nation, and third in USC school history—with 10 touchdowns. Perhaps his most impressive feat of his sophomore season? He suffered a broken hand against Cal on Oct. 31, had surgery to repair it, and played in USC's game the next week against Arizona. He never missed time because of the injury.
As a junior in 2016, USC finished 10-3 with a Rose Bowl victory over Penn State. Smith-Schuster had the best game of the season in that game, finishing with seven receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown. On the season, the receiver finished with 70 receptions for 914 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He was drafted in the second round of the NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 63rd overall pick, where he spent five seasons before going to Kansas City in 2022.
Jason and Travis Kelce both played college football at Cincinnati
Sunday's matchup will feature two brothers, Jason and Travis Kelce, playing against each other. Eagles center Jason is the oldest of the two, at 35 years old, and Chiefs tight end Travis is 33.
Two brothers playing each other in a Super Bowl is a cool story in itself. But the fact that these two both played college ball with each other while at Cincinnati is another fun backstory to the whole thing.
The eldest Kelce, a former walk-on, took a redshirt for the Bearcats in 2006. He started his career at Cincy as a linebacker but switched to offensive line in 2007, when he earned a starting position during preseason, per the school.
He started the next two seasons in 2008 and 2009 for the Bearcats, and he was named a second-team All-Big East player in his last season at Cincy. Kelce was drafted by the Eagles in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL draft, when now-Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was still at Philadelphia.
Travis played tight end for the Bearcats from 2008-12. He redshirted in 2008 and saw action in 2009 as a sophomore, mostly as a rushing tight end. He finished with 47 rush yards on eight attempts with two touchdowns. The tight end did not play for the Bearcats in 2010 after a violation of team rules, which Travis has stated was because of a positive marijuana test.
In 2011, Travis finished with 13 receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns. He had a breakout season in 2012 as a senior, finishing with 45 receptions for 722 yards and eight touchdowns. In fact, a 2012 Cincinnati-Temple game in Philadelphia was where Coach Reid first saw the younger Kelce in action.
Here's more via ESPN:
That's when he decided he wanted the tight end to play for him. Reid was fired by the Eagles after a 4-12 season and joined the Chiefs in January 2013.
'I thought watching him at Cincinnati that this kid had a chance to be something special,' Reid said. 'I remember he was a bigger guy but so smooth. He had that swagger. I remember thinking, 'This guy would be great in the offense that we run.'
Travis was drafted in the third round by the Chiefs with the 63rd overall pick in 2013.
WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
It must be pretty cool for Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts to be able to play in the NFL with one of his former Alabama teammates, wide receiver DeVonta Smith. The wideout was with the Tide from 2017-2020, during which he was able to play in three national championship games, with Alabama winning two of those.
As a true freshman in 2017, Smith had eight receptions for 160 yards with three touchdowns, playing in every game for the Tide. He will go down in Bama history for his unforgettable 41-yard, game-winning touchdown reception in overtime against Georgia in the national title game. On 2nd-and-26, Smith caught a perfectly-thrown ball from Tua Tagovailoa to seal the victory:
As a sophomore in 2018, Smith finished with 693 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He had his best game of the season against Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl playoff semifinal, finishing with 104 receiving yards and a touchdown. During his junior season in 2019, he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark, finishing with 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns, while averaging 18.5 yards per reception.
As if that wasn't impressive enough, Smith returned to Tuscaloosa for his best season yet in 2020 as a senior. He finished as the nation's leader in receiving yards, racking up a whopping 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also returned 11 punts for 237 yards, including one returned for a touchdown against Arkansas.
His performance was enough to win him the Heisman Trophy, becoming just the third player in school history to win the award for Alabama. He was the first wide receiver to win the award since Desmond Howard in 1991.
In his last two games of the season at Alabama, he finished with 19 receptions for 345 yards in the Tide's playoff semifinal win over Notre Dame and national championship game against Ohio State. Smith finished his Tide career holding the SEC and Alabama records for receiving touchdowns with 40.
QB Jalen Hurts, Alabama and Oklahoma
Jalen Hurts had a pretty interesting college career, which began at the University of Alabama. Arriving on-campus as a former 4-star quarterback recruit from Channelview, Texas, Hurts won the starting quarterback job as a true freshman by Week 2 of the 2016 season. Per Alabama, it marked the first time head coach Nick Saban had a freshman starting quarterback.
He threw for 2,780 yards with 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions on the season, and he rushed for another 954 yards and 13 touchdowns. He led the Tide to a College Football Playoff national championship, where Alabama fell 35-31 to Clemson.
In 2017, the Tide made it back to the national championship game once again, following a Sugar Bowl playoff semifinal victory over Clemson. Hurts had thrown for 2,060 yards with 17 touchdowns, including 808 yards and eight rushing touchdowns on the season leading up to the championship against Georgia.
But with his team trailing 13-0 at halftime, Saban made the difficult decision to bench Hurts and start true freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for the second half. The decision paid off—Tagovailoa threw for three touchdown passes in the second half—including the game-winning 41-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith to give Bama the 26-23 victory.
This is where the drama between Hurts and Alabama began. As Hurts and Tagovailoa entered the 2018 season, it was clear that there was a quarterback controversy. Hurts even told reporters in August that coaches never really spoke to him about how he was feeling or what his future held:
Despite speculation that Hurts would transfer, the QB remained at Alabama. Tagovailoa ultimately started during Alabama's Week 1 game against Louisville and the rest of the season. But it wasn't the last time we saw Hurts show up for his team.
During the SEC Championship against Georgia, Tagovailoa left the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury, as his team trailed 28-21. Without hesitation, Hurts came off the bench and completed seven passes with a touchdown, including a 15-yard rushing touchdown with 1:04 left to seal Alabama's 35-28 victory.
"We've always had a lot of faith in Jalen," Saban said via AL.com after the game, while visibly emotional. "I told him when we put him in when Tua got hurt that it is your time. He certainly took advantage of it and did a fantastic job. I'm so proud of this guy from what he has done this year."
Alabama made it to the national title game again in 2018, this time falling 44-16 to Clemson. Hurts transferred to Oklahoma in March 2019, and put up the best numbers of his collegiate career under head coach Lincoln Riley. Hurts threw for 3,851 yards and 32 touchdowns with eight interceptions and rushed for 1,298 yards and 20 touchdowns. He led the Sooners to a Big 12 title, his team falling 63-28 to LSU in the Peach Bowl semifinal.
In three seasons as a collegiate starter, the QB finished with a 38-4 record. Hurts was drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.
QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech
Unlike Jalen Hurts, Pat Mahomes' college career at Texas Tech wasn't as much like a rollercoaster. But over three seasons with the Red Raiders, playing under former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury, he finished his Tech career in the school's record books.
As a true freshman in Lubbock in 2014, Mahomes played in seven games, making four starts. Although the Red Raiders finished 4-8 on the season, Mahomes threw for 1,547 yards with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions.
As Tech's starter as a sophomore in 2015, the Red Raiders finished 7-6 with a loss to LSU in the Texas Bowl. Mahomes finished with 4,653 yards and 36 touchdowns with 15 interceptions. He rushed for 456 yards and 10 touchdowns, as well.
Per Texas Tech, Mahomes became just one of five signal-callers in FBS history to have 4,000 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and rush for at least 450 yards and 10 touchdowns. He led the nation in total yards per game that season, averaging 393 per game.
But the QB's best season with the Red Raiders came in 2016. Although Texas Tech finished 5-7 on the season, Mahomes put up the best numbers of his career. He finished the season first in the FBS with 5,052 yards passing along with 41 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. He also led the nation in total offensive yards per game, averaging 444.8 yards per contest.
Mahomes finished his Texas Tech career as the school's third-leading passer, with 11,252 yards, third in touchdown passes (93) and finished second in touchdowns responsible for, getting 115 over three seasons.
Unsurprisingly, Mahomes decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 2017 NFL draft. He was drafted 10th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs.