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Top 10 active NFL players who were college walk-ons
Wisconsin WR Jared Abbrederis had a breakout performance against what was expected to be a stellar Ohio State secondary. With 10 catches for 207 yards and a touchdown against the Buckeyes, Abbrederis showed the potential to be the next great walk-on college star-turned-NFL player. Turns out, Wisconsin has a proud recent tradition of just such an athlete.
Before becoming the Cleveland Browns' first-round draft pick in 2012 (No. 22 overall), Weeden was a second-round selection by the New York Yankees in the 2002 MLB Draft. Weeden's baseball career didn't take off, so he enrolled at Oklahoma State in 2007. (Associated Press)
A native of Ghana, Ansah grew up playing soccer football rather than American football. He tried out for the BYU basketball team before giving successfully walking on to the BYU track team. He then gave the Cougars' football team a try and a successful three-year run in Provo, Utah earned Ansah a first-round selection (No. 5 overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft. (Associated Press)
Pitta parlayed walking onto the Cougars' football team into a fourth-round draft selection in 2010 by the Baltimore Ravens. He helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII by scoring a touchdown in a 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers. (Associated Press)
The 5-foot-8 Leonhard went from walk-on to three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection. He was undrafted in 2005, but joined the Buffalo Bills. He's played for the Bills (2005-07, 2013), Baltimore Ravens (2008), New York Jets (2009-2011) and Denver Broncos (2012). (Associated Press)
Washington went from walk-on to standout linebacker for the Horned Frogs. He was a second-round selection by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2010 NFL Draft and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2010. (USA TODAY Sports/Associated Press)
Moss has enjoyed a lengthy NFL career after walking onto the Hurricanes' football team in 1997. He was a first-round selection of the New York Jets in 2001 (No. 16 overall). He played for the Jets (2001-04) and Washington Redskins (2005-2013). He also earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2005. (Associated Press)
Nelson walked on at Kansas State, where he was a first-team all-Big 12 selection in 2007. He was a second-round selection of the Green Bay Packers in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played a vital role in the Packers' run to triumph in Super Bowl XLV. (Associated Press)
Mankins became a five-time Pro Bowl selection following walking on to the Fresno State football team. He was a first-round selection by the New England Patriots in the 2005 NFL Draft (No. 32 overall), and helped the team reach the Super Bowl twice. (Associated Press)
Despite his pro football lineage, Matthews had to walk on at USC (where his father, Clay Matthews II, and uncle, Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, each played). The Green Bay Packers made Matthews a first-round draft pick in 2009 (No. 26 overall). He is a four-time Pro Bowl selection and also helped the Packers win Super Bowl XLV. (Associated Press)
Watt originally attended Central Michigan, playing tight end for the Chippewas. Unhappy with the situation at Central Michigan, Watt decided to walk on at Wisconsin. He became a first-round draft pick of the Houston Texans in 2011 (No. 11 overall). He is a one-time Pro Bowl selection and was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Year for 2012. (Associated Press)
