Very Good NFL Players Who Came From Terrible College Teams

[Todd Pence]

Fred Smerlas played for the 0-11 Boston College Eagles in 1978 then was drafted in 1979 with the 32nd overall pick by the Buffalo Bills.

That '78 season was an aberration for BC, but lord, what a terrible year. I mean, getting shut out 27-0 by UMASS???

[7DnBrnc53]

Steve Grogan's K-State teams not terrible, 12-21 in his three years. I'd call that poor - - -

The worst for Kansas State was yet to come.

That '78 season was an aberration for BC, but lord, what a terrible year. I mean, getting shut out 27-0 by UMASS???

Wasn't Mike Mayock on that team as well?

[Ronfitch]

Louisville was 12-22 from 1951-54 seasons, when Johnny Unitas was there.

In the only winning season of that span - a 5-4 record in 1951 - Unitas was pressed into duty as a freshman (Louisville was not part of the NCAA, so freshmen could play) and in those games, they went 4-1. Johnny U was team captain for his senior year, but injuries limited his playing time.

[LJP]

Matt Forte, Tulane 2004-07 (15-31)

[Bryan]

Bart Starr's senior year at Alabama saw the team go 0-10.

[BD Sullivan]

Craig Morton's teams at California were 8-21-1 during his three years there from 1962-64. Yet, the Cowboys took him with the fifth pick of the 1965 Draft.

Walt Garrison's teams at Oklahoma State from 1963-65 were 8-21 and he was a fifth rounder in 1966.

Jeff Van Note's three squads at Kentucky (1966-68) were also 8-21-1, but he wasn't taken until the 11th round of the 1969 Draft. He ended up playing 18 years.

[JWL]

I don't remember how long he played there but during John Abraham's final season at South Carolina the Gamecocks were 0-11. The prior year they were 1-10.

[Todd Pence]

Colorado State of 1970-71 had future LA Rams teammates Lawrence McCutcheon and Cullen Bryant, both solid starters in the pros, yet compiled a dismal 7-15 mark. Bryant's senior year of 1972 CS was 1-10.

[SixtiesFan]

Colorado State of 1970-71 had future LA Rams teammates Lawrence McCutcheon and Cullen Bryant, both solid starters in the pros, yet compiled a dismal 7-15 mark. Bryant's senior year of 1972 CS was 1-10.

Cullen Bryant played at the University of Colorado, not Colorado State.

[Andrew McKillop]

Terrell Davis played for the last-ever Long Beach State football team in 1991 (2-9).

Sonoma St. went 2-7 during the senior year (1993) of HOF guard Larry Allen. A few years later the school dropped their football program.