Numbers Game: Tackling NFL Offensive Impact From Former College Hoopers
They went from hoops to helmets. Who are the premier quarterbacks, running backs and receivers in NFL history after playing college basketball? Syracuse supplied the all-time leader in this unique category in both rushing and passing yardage.
The most impactful former college hooper on the NFL was Jim Brown (Syracuse). Aaron Jones (Texas-El Paso), after switching within NFC North Division from the Green Bay Packers to Minnesota Vikings, has gone significantly beyond halfway mark to Brown's amazing career rushing total of 12,312 yards in only nine seasons. Rick Casares (Florida) joins Brown and Jones among the following top three rushing totals by former four-year college hoopers:
| Ex-College Hooper | School | NFL Teams (Years) | Career Yards (Rank) | Career TDs (Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Brown | Syracuse | Browns (1957-1965) | 12,312 (12th) | 106 (7th) |
| Aaron Jones | Texas-El Paso | Packers/Vikings (2017-2025) | 7,626 (60th) | 52 (T86th) |
| Rick Casares | Florida | Bears/Redskins/Dolphins (1955-1966) | 5,797 (118th) | 49 (T97th) |
DeAndre Hopkins (Clemson), after cracking Top 20 in NFL history for most receiving yards before becoming an assistant coach with Georgia Tech, passed Antonio Gates (Kent State) two seasons ago and is third behind Terrell Owens (Chattanooga) and Tony Gonzalez (California) among former college hoopers. Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton (Southern Methodist) could reach 7,000 yards in 2026 to join the following list of first 14 ex-college hoopers with most receiving yards in NFL:
| Ex-College Hooper | School | NFL Teams (Years) | Career Yards (Rank) | Career TDs (Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrell Owens | Chattanooga | 49ers/Eagles/Cowboys/Bills/Bengals (1996-2010) | 15,934 (3rd) | 153 (3rd) |
| *Tony Gonzalez | California | Chiefs/Falcons (1997-2013) | 15,127 (6th) | 111 (9th) |
| DeAndre Hopkins | Clemson | Texans/Cardinals/Titans/Chiefs/Ravens (2013-2025) | 13,295 (18th) | 85 (T19th) |
| *Antonio Gates | Kent State | Chargers (2003-2018) | 11,841 (35th) | 116 (8th) |
| Rod Smith | Missouri Southern | Broncos (1995-2006) | 11,389 (40th) | 68 (T56th) |
| Andre Rison | Michigan State | Colts/Falcons/Browns/Packers/Jaguars/Chiefs/Raiders (1989-2000) | 10,205 (54th) | 84 (T23rd) |
| Harold Carmichael | Southern (La.) | Eagles/Cowboys (1971-1984) | 8,985 (75th) | 79 (T36th) |
| *Jimmy Graham | Miami (Fla.) | Saints/Seahawks/Packers/Bears (2010-2023) | 8,545 (95th) | 89 (16th) |
| Art Powell | San Jose State | Eagles/Titans/Raiders/Bills/Vikings (1959-1968) | 8,046 (117th) | 81 (T34th) |
| Chris Chambers | Wisconsin | Dolphins/Chargers/Chiefs (2001-2010) | 7,648 (133rd) | 58 (T106th) |
| Otis Taylor | Prairie View | Chiefs (1965-1975) | 7,306 (149th) | 57 (T112th) |
| Lionel Taylor | New Mexico Highlands | Bears/Broncos/Oilers (1959-1968) | 7,195 (155th) | 45 (T189th) |
| Reggie Rucker | Boston University | Cowboys/Patriots/Giants/Browns (1970-1981) | 7,065 (161st) | 44 (T198th) |
| Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch | Wisconsin/Michigan | Chicago Rockets/Rams (1946-1957) | 7,029 (164th) | 60 (T97th) |
*denotes tight ends
There hasn't been an impactful former college hooper as NFL quarterback since Donovan McNabb (Syracuse) and Brad Johnson (Florida State). Following are the 11 QBs who passed for more than 20,000 yards in the NFL/AFL after playing college basketball:
| Ex-College Hooper | School | NFL Teams (Years) | Career Yards (Rank) | Career TDs (Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donovan McNabb | Syracuse | Eagles/Redskins/Vikings (1999-2011) | 37,276 (30th) | 234 (38th) |
| Ken Anderson | Augustana IL | Bengals (1971-1986) | 32,838 (48th) | 197 (T55th) |
| Norm Snead | Wake Forest | Eagles/Vikings/Cowboys/Colts (1961-1976) | 30,797 (55th) | 196 (T57th) |
| Brad Johnson | Florida State | Vikings/Redskins/Buccaneers/Cowboys (1994-2008) | 29,054 (62nd) | 166 (81st) |
| Len Dawson | Purdue | Browns/Texans/Chiefs (1957-1975) | 28,711 (64th) | 239 (35th) |
| Bobby Layne | Texas | Bears/Bulldogs/Lions/Steelers (1948-1962) | 26,768 (76th) | 196 (T57th) |
| Bob Griese | Purdue | Dolphins (1967-1980) | 25,092 (83rd) | 192 (63rd) |
| Otto Graham | Northwestern | Browns (1946-1955) | 23,584 (97th) | 174 (T72nd) |
| Roger Staubach | Navy | Cowboys (1969-1979) | 22,700 (102nd) | 153 (99th) |
| Sammy Baugh | Texas Christian | Redskins (1937-1952) | 21,886 (108th) | 187 (T64th) |
| Billy Kilmer | UCLA | 49ers/Saints/Redskins (1961-1978) | 20,495 (120th) | 152 (T100th) |