I’ve been a big fan of the NFL my whole life and the one thing I’ve been curious about for a while now is just how many D2 players make it to the big leagues. It’s something that I always think about when I’m watching a game and it’s a question I’ve chased around for some time. This thought is especially piqued when I see highlights of players from Division II schools around the country.
I mean, you think about the countless hours of practice and games they must play, combined with the academic stress of studying at the university level — it’s just incredible that these players make it to the next level. It’s really inspiring. But how many Division II players actually make it to the NFL?
Well, that’s tough to tell, but there are some numbers to back up what’s called the ‘NFL D2 Pipeline’. According to the NFL Players Association, of the more than 17,000 players represented in the NFL, roughly 14% have come from the NCAA Division II. That’s about the same ratio of players from Division I who make it to the NFL.
There must be something special about these players who come from Division II universities, right? They must have something that sets them apart to make it to the next level. After much pondering, I believe the best explanation is something that is often overlooked – mental strength and resilience.
These players come from small community and university teams, but they still overcame the collegiate odds to make it to the NFL. In many cases, these players didn’t have the special training and coaches of the major players in Division I, but they were still able to play with the same level of intensity as those from major sports colleges. That’s a testament to their mental fortitude and determination to play at the highest level possible.
I think the again-and-again of Division II players succeeding in the NFL is really great to watch. Players like Tyrell Williams, Derrick Henry, and Julian Edelman all went from small schools to make it big. The fact that they were able to overcome the odds to make it to such a competitive level, well, it’s really inspirational and shows that you can still make it with the right attitude and work ethic. That’s something that everyone, no matter what you’re striving for in life, should take away with you.
I often like to imagine the players that I follow in the NFL started out in small Division II universities. It’s always a surprise to find out that they did and shows me that they have to possess a unique quality to be able to take the necessary steps to make it to the NFL.
When it comes to D2 players in the NFL, I think the best way to sum it up is that they often ‘punch above their weight’. They were never the top players in college, or even the most talented, but they still managed to make it to the NFL. That’s a testament to how hard work and determination will pull you through in any situation. That’s just how it goes when you’re talking about the best ‘rags to riches’ stories in sports today.
So, how many D2 Players in the NFL? It’s hard to say for sure, but one thing I do know is that the ‘NFL D2 Pipeline’ is alive and well. For many of these exceptional athletes, the odds were stacked against them, but they still managed to rise up against the competition and make it to the big leagues. I think that’s a great lesson in hard work and self-belief and it only emphasizes why we should always follow our dreams and never give up.