From College Stars to NFL Legends: 10 Players to Inspire You

In this blog post, you’ll find interesting facts about the top ten NFL legends we all know and love. Five are young, rising college stars who have already secured their place in the niche.

This information is a goldmine for all NFL fans inspired by players’ achievements. It also comes in handy for college students who are stuck and don’t know how to start writing their essays or other types of academic papers on sports or prominent personas.

(Professional writers from literature review services in USA, such as fast essay writing services, can help here, but it would be nice to decide who you want to write about, don’t you agree?

So, let’s get to the players! Each is an NFL Superstar, so you can’t go wrong with your choice anyway.

Tom Brady (Michigan → NFL GOAT)

After graduating from college, Tom was not a highly publicized prospect. He was just the 199th pick of the 2000 NFL Draft (in the 6th round) after playing at Michigan, but he was still able to become a 7-time Super Bowl champion and one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.

Those six QBs drafted before him served as motivation for Brady. As he told his parents, he’d rather be slow and precise than fast and reckless. A mindset that made him an elite and legendary player.

An interesting fact about Tom Brady:

He won a Super Bowl at 43 thanks to his rigid discipline, including a strict TB12 diet.

Patrick Mahomes (Texas Tech → NFL Superstar)

Mahomes started his sports career as a rising college star at Texas Tech, where he surprised all with his arm strength and playmaking. The Kansas City Chiefs took him in 2017.

He soon became an NFL MVP, leading his team to multiple Super Bowl victories.

An interesting fact:

Patrick isn’t just a football star. He was a talented baseball player once drafted by the Detroit Tigers. In high school, he once threw five touchdowns in one quarter!  (Well, that could be possible thanks to training with his father: Pat Mahomes Sr. was an MLB pitcher.)

Now, with two Super Bowl MVPs by age 27, Patrick is revolutionizing the quarterback position with his creativity and no-look passes.

Aaron Rodgers (California → Super Bowl Champion & MVP)

Before transferring to Cal-Berkeley and becoming a top prospect there, Aaron Rodgers played as a junior backup at Butte Community College. He failed the 2005 NFL Draft and didn’t play until the Green Bay Packers took him 24th overall.

Result?

Now, Aaron is a multiple-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion.

An interesting fact:

Rogers is a deep thinker known for studying esoteric philosophy. He even took a darkness retreat to decide his football future. Fans love Aaron for his iconic “Hail Mary” throws, demonstrating his incredible arm strength. Thanks to this and his clutch mentality, he is among the most feared QBs in NFL history.

Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State → Greatest WR Ever)

Overlooked by major colleges, Rice started his sports career at tiny Mississippi Valley State, later turning into the NFL’s all-time leading receiver with the San Francisco 49ers. His relentless training made him the hardest-working player in NFL history.

An interesting fact:

Jerry trained his legendary hands by catching bricks as a kid, thrown by his father, a brick mason. His post-touchdown sprints back to the sideline weren’t for show — they were part of his grueling personal conditioning routine.

J.J. Watt (Wisconsin → Defensive Beast)

J.J. Watt originally played tight end at Central Michigan but walked away because of misunderstandings with coaches: They wanted him to be an offensive lineman. Watt took a bet on himself, walked on at Wisconsin, and became a dominant defensive end.

His signature “Watt Swat” (batting down passes) changed how linemen play defense. A dominant force for the Houston Texans, he is a proud owner of three Defensive Player of the Year awards.

An interesting fact:

J.J. Watt is also known for his humanitarian efforts, such as raising $37 million for Hurricane Harvey relief.

Now, this guy is one of the most feared pass rushers in NFL history.

Caleb Williams (USC → 2024 NFL Draft Prospect)

Williams represents the next generation of NFL players. A rising college star, he won the Heisman Trophy at USC and was among the top picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Many compare Caleb to Patrick Mahomes for his playmaking ability.

An interesting fact:

Williams writes inspirational messages on his nails before games. Often, these are personal mantras like “Beat Notre Dame” or something like that. He also launched a foundation focused on mental health advocacy.

Coaches and fellow players note his leadership qualities.

Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State → Future NFL Star)

Another rising star, this young NFL player is an elite broad receiver prospect among the top five picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. Known for his persistence and strict training routine, Marvin already deserves the admiration of NFL veterans for his work ethic.

An interesting fact about Mavin:

Being a son of Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison Sr., this youngster is carving his path through sheer discipline. Marvin wakes up at 4 a.m. to train and is obsessed with studying cornerbacks’ weaknesses.

His quiet confidence and meticulous preparation have already drawn comparisons to NFL greats like Jerry Rice.

C.J. Stroud (Ohio State → Houston Texans Future Star)

A standout at Ohio State, Stroud has impressed us in his rookie NFL season with the Houston Texans, showing signs of becoming an elite QB.

An interesting fact:

Stroud comes from a low-income family, with a father in prison and other relatives struggling financially. Football was an escape for him, so he trained tirelessly and slept on the floor of a small apartment while dreaming of the NFL.

Now, this guy is already breaking rookie records with his poise and precision, proving that perseverance can turn struggles into greatness.

Brock Bowers (Georgia → NFL’s Next Elite Tight End?)

A dominant tight end at Georgia, Bowers has won two National Championships already! Fans love and praise him for his hard work and incredible speed.

An interesting fact about Brock:

He was a dominant high school running back, thanks to hardcore backyard training and a homemade gym organized by his dad. Brock once ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash at 240 pounds, a freakish number for a tight end!

NFL teams see him as the next Gronkowski-level talent.

Jordan Addison (USC → Minnesota Vikings Rookie Sensation)

Addison was a Biletnikoff Award winner in college and is making an impact in the NFL as a key weapon for the Minnesota Vikings.

An interesting fact:

Jordan was only a two-star recruit out of high school. After dominating at Pitt and winning the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best receiver, he transferred to USC and became Caleb Williams’ top target.

He’s a perfectionist:

Addison has been watching game videos for hours to ensure that he wins every single step.

Which One Is Your Favorite?

So, now you have them, five NFL gurus and five rising stars who have already deserved their place in football history. Who is your favorite here? Who would you make a protagonist of your essay or fiction story about an NFL legend inspiring the world with his game?