How Many College Football Players Go Pro?

Playing professional football is a goal many college athletes share. The visibility of televised games, bowl season, and the draft can make the professional pathway feel close and achievable.

But the reality looks very different once the numbers are broken down.

Understanding how many college football players actually go pro is not about discouragement. It’s about clarity, planning, and making informed decisions about what comes next when eligibility ends.

The Reality of Going Pro in Football

Each year, thousands of athletes compete in college football across all divisions. Only a small fraction will play professionally.

Out of NCAA football players:

• Fewer than 2 percent will be drafted or signed by a professional team
• Even fewer will remain on a roster long term
• Most careers, when they do happen, are short

This means the vast majority of college football players will not transition directly into professional football.

Why the Odds Are So Small

Professional football has:

• Limited roster spots
• High physical demands
• Short average career lengths

Each year, incoming draft classes compete not only with their peers, but also with existing professionals fighting to stay in the league.

Even elite college players from top programmes are not guaranteed professional opportunities.

What Happens to Most College Football Players?

For most players, eligibility ends without a professional contract waiting.

That moment can feel abrupt after years of:

• Structured training
• Team schedules
• Clear identity as an athlete

This is why having a plan beyond “going pro” matters, even for athletes who perform at a high level in college.

Does Not Going Pro Mean Football Is Over?

Not necessarily.

While professional football may not be the next step, many athletes still want football to remain part of their lives. There are pathways that allow players to:

• Continue competing
• Maintain structure and routine
• Combine sport with education or career development

These options are rarely discussed early enough in an athlete’s college career.

University-Based Football Pathways Outside the U.S.

Outside the United States, eligibility rules are different.

In countries such as the UK:

• NCAA eligibility restrictions do not apply
• Graduate students can compete at university level
• American football programmes exist within university sport systems

This creates an opportunity for players to continue competing while earning a postgraduate degree.

For athletes who will not go pro, this can provide a structured bridge rather than a sudden stop.

Why Graduate Study Abroad Appeals to Football Players

Graduate study abroad is a strong fit for players who:

• Are nearing the end of eligibility
• Want to continue competing
• Are considering a master’s degree anyway
• Value structure during the transition out of college sport

Many UK master’s degrees take one year, making this a focused and time-efficient option.

What This Pathway Is and Is Not

It’s important to be clear.

Graduate school abroad is:

• A university-based pathway
• Focused on education alongside competition
• Structured around academic calendars

It is not professional placement and does not involve agent representation or professional contracts.

For some athletes, it supports long-term ambitions. For others, it simply provides time, clarity, and continued competition.

How Athlete Futures Abroad Supports Athletes

Athlete Futures Abroad works with student-athletes exploring university-based opportunities overseas, including American football.

All support is free to the athlete and funded by partner universities in the UK and abroad.

We help by:

• Reviewing academic and football backgrounds
• Identifying universities that recruit international football players
• Explaining how graduate study and university sport work together
• Helping athletes understand realistic next steps after college

Planning Beyond the Numbers

Knowing how many college football players go pro is only part of the picture.

The more important question is:
What pathway makes sense for you when eligibility ends?

If you’re approaching that transition and want to understand structured, university-based options that allow you to keep competing while preparing for life after football, the next step is learning what’s available.

👉 Complete your recruiting profile to explore university-based football opportunities abroad

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