Position U In College Football: Offensive Edition

With NFL talent coming into this league at a premium like none other there have been some colleges that have run certain positions for the last decade plus, and in this article I am going to highlight “Position U”.

Quarterbacks: Alabama

This in my opinion is the hardest to rank because of how much talent there is at the quarterback position ranging from Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen, just to name a few. When it comes from the quantity of quarterbacks I think Alabama has produced the most in the last decade.

We all know that iconic picture of Mac Jones, Jalen Hurts, and Tua Tagovailoa in the same locker at one time, and let me say yes, that picture is real. This quarterback room is loaded with Jones and Tagovailoa both being a first round pick and Hurts being a second round pick. This trio also combined for two national championships as well.

Let's not also forget about Bryce Young. Young just finished his second year in the league after being drafted by the first overall pick to the Carolina Panthers. His college accolades consist of being a Heisman winner in 2021 and was also the runner up to Georgia in the 2021-22 season.

The quarterback position is the most important position on the gridiron and Alabama has certainly delivered in that department.

Running Backs: Alabama

I know this is a little repetitive but Alabama is an absolute factory for players trying to make the NFL and they also produced some highly talented running backs.

These running backs include Jahmyr Gibbs, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Najee Harris, and Brian Robinson.

Gibbs, Henry, and Jacobs all finished in the top six in rushing yards this year and all of them finished top four in touchdowns as well.

Najee Harris is the only running back in Steelers history to rush for 1,000 yards in their first four seasons of being an NFL running back.

Brian Robinson has tallied 2,329 total yards and 15 touchdowns while also playing in an NFC championship game in his 3 year career.

Lets not forget some retired running backs that came out of this university. Mark Ingram II, Eddie Lacy, Trent Richardson, Kenyan Drake, and T.J. Yeldon.

Wide Receivers: LSU

This one is the most debatable one with colleges like USC and Ohio State having some excellent receivers, but the college that I think is “Wide Receiver U” is LSU.

The receivers that came out of LSU over the last 15 years have been absolutely dominant and at the same time tearing up this league.

The four notable receivers are Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., Justin Jefferson, and Ja”Marr Chase. Lets not also forget the memorable moments from Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry.

Both Thomas and Nabers both eclipsed 1,200 yards in their rookie campaigns and of course the dominance of both Jefferson and Chase ever since joining the league.

Chase and Jefferson’s accolades to start off their career are like none other from young players just entering their second contracts. Jefferson won the offensive player of the year award in 2022 and Chase won the triple crown this season becoming the second youngest to do it.

LSU is becoming a factory for receivers and they are producing at the next level as well.

Tight Ends: Iowa

This is tough because I really want Penn State to be here and I think in the next five years they can, but for now I'm going to give the Hawkeyes its flowers for the tight ends that came through this school and crown them “Tight end U”.

The talent from this school is loaded. The tight ends out of this school who are currently in the NFL are Noah Fant, Sam LaPorta, T.J. Hockenson, and George Kittle.

These tight ends will be in the league for a long time so it will be tough to surpass this group and that is why I am crowning the as “Tight end U”

Linemen: Notre Dame

Now I know linemen aren’t the most fun position to talk about, but they are the most important unit on the football field and let me tell you Notre Dame has delivered in the department.

The notable linemen from this school are Ronnie Stanley, Quinton Nelson, Joe Alt, and Zack Martin.

Zack Martin and Ronnie Stanley are both going to be in the hall of fame and even though it is Joe Alt’s rookie year if he continues he looks like he is going to be in the hall of fame and Quinton Nelson is looking like he will be in the hall of fame as well.

Notre Dame has some amazing talent from this position and that is why they have secured “Linemen U”

Peyton Waddell is a second-year majoring in broadcast-journalism. To contact him please email him at prw5142@psu.edu.