When NFL Pros Were in College

If you're a football fan, you probably take for granted that players Tom Brady, J.J. Watt, Antonio Brown, and Aaron Rodgers are some of the biggest names in football. But when they were still in college their pro careers were not so clear. Some of today's top NFL players have taken very different routes to professional stardom — from instant phenoms to late-round draft gambles. 

As part of Sports Illustrated Kids' 2016 College Football preview, we take a look back at 10 current superstars to track their route to the big leagues. And some of their journeys might surprise you.

After spending one season in junior college, the lightly recruited QB transferred to Cal. He torched the Pac-10 and was considered a possible No. 1 overall pick, but he slipped all the way to 24th, where the Packers got him.

The league's leader in catches in each of the past two seasons for the Steelers walked on for the Chippewas. He was quickly given a scholarship and put up big numbers for three years. Pittsburgh grabbed him in the sixth round of the 2010 draft.

A tight end in high school, Watt spent one season as Brown's teammate before transferring to Wisconsin, where he walked on and became a first-round talent.

The Super Bowl 50 MVP transitioned from defensive end to outside linebacker for the Aggies, winning the Butkus Award in 2010.

The Panthers star became the first true freshman to lead the Eagles in tackles. Carolina took him ninth overall after his Butkus-winning junior season.

The Patriots' signal-caller was seventh on the depth chart when he enrolled at Michigan. He left the school with the fourth-most yards in Wolverines history, but that was only good enough to get him drafted in the sixth round.

Gurley had 100 yards rushing and a 100-yard kickoff return in his first game as a Bulldog. His his career was cut short by a knee injury in his junior season, but that didn't stop him: Gurley ran for 1,106 yards for the Rams last year and was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

After three successful seasons with the Wolfpack, Wilson transferred to Wisconsin and led the Badgers to the Rose Bowl. Still, he wasn't drafted until the third round.

The Falcons receiver has been destined for stardom since he arrived at Bama. In 2008, he became just the 11th true freshman to start a season opener for the Crimson Tide.

Injuries limited Gronk to just 22 college games — none after his sophomore season, in which he led the Pac-10 in TD receptions. The Patriots saw his potential and took him in the second round, and he has become one of the NFL's most dangerous weapons.

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