Place U: Which faculties produce probably the most expertise at every place

Clemson’s receivers have shirts they put on to exercises with “WRU” emblazoned throughout the entrance, somewhat nod to the pedigree of their place. At current, Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross make for worthy representatives of what they fortunately declare is Extensive Receiver U, the perfect incubator for pass-catching expertise in America. As proof, they will level to Sammy Watkins, Nuk Hopkins and Mike Williams — and on and on down the road of greats who constructed their reputations on the sphere at Demise Valley, then went on to success within the NFL.

In fact, there are just a few different faculties which may take exception to that WRU moniker. From Julio Jones to Jerry Jeudy, Alabama has been churning out All-People like clockwork. And the way about Oklahoma State’s run from Dez Bryant to Tylan Wallace?

Which faculty is the true WRU — or, for that matter, QBU or DBU or O-line U? It is a debate that deserves actual solutions, so we did the mathematics.

ESPN Stats & Info dug deep into the numbers, culled particulars on all-conference performers, All-People, NFL draft picks and stars from the professional ranks, and got here up with a method to find out the official rankings for the colleges greatest at producing quarterbacks, receivers, tight ends, operating backs, linemen, linebackers and defensive backs.

2 Associated

We restricted the controversy to the BCS and CFP period, together with all gamers who appeared in video games from 1998 via final season.

We weighted an All-America nod increased than an All-SEC choice. We needed to give you a metric to find out a participant’s efficiency on the subsequent degree that might operate for all place teams, so we used common Approximate Worth over the primary 4 seasons (or fewer, if relevant) within the NFL. We would have liked a strategy to account for Notre Dame’s lack of convention affiliation, and we used Brian Burke’s NFL draft choose values chart to determine how rather more to worth a first-round draft choose than a seventh-rounder.

And in the long run, these packages are the perfect of the perfect at recruiting and creating elite expertise after which delivery it off to stardom within the NFL.

Leap to a place:

Quarterback | Working Again | Extensive Receiver | Tight Finish
Offensive Line | Defensive Again | Defensive Line | Linebacker

ESPN

Quarterback U

It is solely becoming that probably the most high-profile place is arguably probably the most attention-grabbing in our rankings.

USC narrowly edged Oklahoma because the official QBU, but it surely’s removed from clear-cut. USC has reloaded on the place in contrast to some other program, going from Carson Palmer to Matt Leinart to John David Booty to Mark Sanchez to Matt Barkley to Cody Kessler to Sam Darnold — all of whom have been drafted and 4 of whom have been taken within the first spherical.

Oklahoma, then again, boasts an incomparable run of actually elite guys, with 4 Heisman winners (Jason White, Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray) up to now 15 years, and three of these guys went first general within the NFL draft. It is a slight edge for USC in consistency, however benefit Sooners with regards to producing probably the most elite expertise.

Maybe as attention-grabbing because the groups on the high, nevertheless, is the staff at No. 33. That’d be Alabama, checking in simply after Syracuse and only some spots forward of Delaware. No staff has dominated on the sphere in the course of the BCS/School Soccer Playoff period fairly just like the Crimson Tide, however they’ve carried out it with out elite QBs … till final season, anyway.

In the meantime, although the highest 10 is stuffed with large names, the staff at No. 11 is price a point out, too: Fresno State. Recruiting the Carr brothers labored out fairly properly for the Bulldogs. If we run the numbers for QBU once more in 10 years, nevertheless, Clemson could be the staff on the high. The Tigers at present rank 16th, however with Deshaun Watson, Trevor Lawrence and shortly hotshot recruit D.J. Uiagalelei, the present run of celebrity quarterbacks for Dabo Swinney is hard to match. — David Hale

1. USC
Notable gamers: Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Mark Sanchez, Sam Darnold

2. Oklahoma
Notable gamers: Jason White, Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray

three. Oregon
Notable gamers: A.J. Feeley, Joey Harrington, Marcus Mariota, Justin Herbert

four. Texas
Notable gamers: Main Applewhite, Chris Simms, Vince Younger, Colt McCoy

5. Florida State
Notable gamers: Chris Weinke, Christian Ponder, EJ Manuel, Jameis Winston

6. Louisville
Notable gamers: Chris Redman, Brian Brohm, Teddy Bridgewater, Lamar Jackson

7. Auburn
Notable gamers: Jason Campbell, Cam Newton, Nick Marshall, Jarrett Stidham

eight. Florida
Notable gamers: Jesse Palmer, Rex Grossman, Chris Leak, Tim Tebow

9. Texas A&M
Notable gamers: Jerrod Johnson, Ryan Tannehill, Johnny Manziel, Kellen Mond

10. Ohio State
Notable gamers: Craig Krenzel, Troy Smith, Terrelle Pryor, J.T. Barrett, Dwayne Haskins

Trent Richardson (three) and Eddie Lacy (42) are simply two of the quite a few RBs to come back out of the Crimson Tide’s vaunted program. AP Photograph/Dave Martin

Working Again U

How deep, proficient and productive has Alabama been on the operating again place the previous twenty years?

Maybe that is one of the best ways to reply that query: Eddie Lacy was Alabama’s starter for just one season (2012), however he piled up greater than 2,400 speeding yards in his profession. He is considered one of seven Alabama operating backs to be chosen within the first two rounds of the NFL draft, going again to 2000, and that features a few Heisman Trophy winners in Derrick Henry in 2015 and Mark Ingram in 2009. Whereas a handful of colleges may stake declare to the Working Again U moniker because the begin of the BCS in 1998, Alabama sits atop the throne.

Alabama is considered one of 4 SEC faculties to make the highest 10, and it edged Wisconsin, which has churned out the likes of Melvin Gordon, Ron Dayne, Montee Ball, Michael Bennett and James White lately. And discuss backfields loaded with expertise. Miami’s 2001 secure featured Frank Gore, Willis McGahee and Clinton Portis, and Arkansas in 2006 had Darren McFadden, Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis in the identical backfield. The 2004 Auburn backfield was equally stout, with Ronnie Brown and Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, who went second general and fifth general, respectively, within the 2005 NFL draft.

One staff surprisingly absent from the Working Again U high 10 is Georgia, which has had its share of proficient runners over time. Prior to now 4 years, the likes of Sony Michel, Nick Chubb and Todd Gurley have rumbled their method via Athens, however a scarcity of star energy within the first half of the BCS period held the Dawgs again. — Chris Low

1. Alabama
Notable gamers: Mark Ingram, Derrick Henry, Shaun Alexander

2. Wisconsin
Notable gamers: Ron Dayne, Melvin Gordon, Montee Ball

three. LSU
Notable gamers: Leonard Fournette, Kevin Faulk, Jacob Hester

four. Oklahoma
Notable gamers: Adrian Peterson, Samaje Perine, DeMarco Murray

5. Miami
Notable gamers: Frank Gore, Willis McGahee, Edgerrin James

6. Pittsburgh
Notable gamers: James Conner, LeSean McCoy, Dion Lewis

7. Texas
Notable gamers: Ricky Williams, Cedric Benson, Jamaal Charles

eight. Oregon
Notable gamers: LaMichael James, Jonathan Stewart, LeGarrette Blount

9. Arkansas
Notable gamers: Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, Peyton Hillis

10. Auburn
Notable gamers: Cadillac Williams, Ronnie Brown, Tre Mason

Former USC wideout and present Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster is considered one of three three,000-yard receivers the Trojans have produced up to now 15 seasons. Kelvin Kuo/USA TODAY Sports activities

Extensive Receiver U

How did the Trojans get atop this listing? Properly, USC has eight seasons of all-conference extensive receivers, which tied for fifth amongst Energy 5 faculties, and the Trojans have 5 All-American seasons from receivers, which tied for first nationally with Oklahoma State.

These 5 All-People have been enormous elements on this rating, and so have been the 17 receivers drafted because the 1998 season, second solely to Ohio State’s 21. USC additionally had three receivers taken within the first spherical in that span.

Prior to now 15 seasons, USC has produced three three,000-yard receivers: Marqise Lee, Dwayne Jarrett and JuJu Smith-Schuster. That is tied for first on this listing with Oklahoma: Ryan Broyles, Sterling Shepard and Jalen Saunders.

The largest shock must be LSU on this listing. LSU has simply 5 all-conference seasons from receivers and one All-American wideout: Josh Reed in 2001. Anemic offense and the shortage of a three,000-yard receiver over the previous 15 years make you marvel how of all of the Tigers in faculty soccer, these have been those to make it within the high 5.

Properly, since 1998, 17 LSU receivers have been drafted. Do the names Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry imply something to you? Nobody ever mentioned LSU would not recruit studs, even when that potential wasn’t at all times maximized at school. — Edward Aschoff

1. USC
Notable gamers: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mike Williams, Marqise Lee, Dwayne Jarrett

2. Ohio State
Notable gamers: Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn Jr., David Boston

three. Florida State
Notable gamers: Kelvin Benjamin, Rashad Greene, Peter Warrick

four. Oklahoma State
Notable gamers: James Washington, Justin Blackmon, Dez Bryant

5. LSU
Notable gamers: Odell Beckham Jr., Michael Clayton, Jarvis Landry

6. Oklahoma
Notable gamers: Marquise Brown, Ryan Broyles, Jalen Saunders, Sterling Shepard

7. Florida
Notable gamers: Percy Harvin, Andre Caldwell, Antonio Callaway

eight. Michigan
Notable gamers: Devin Funchess, Braylon Edwards, David Terrell

9. Alabama
Notable gamers: Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley, Julio Jones, Jerry Jeudy

10. Notre Dame
Notable gamers: Golden Tate, Will Fuller, Michael Floyd

Former Miami tight ends Jimmy Graham (80) and Greg Olsen (88) have carved out lengthy NFL careers. AP Photograph/Mike McCarn

Tight Finish U

Miami can formally say it’s Tight Finish U. As if the Hurricanes have not already been making that proclamation, it is now plain. Miami has so many large names and affect gamers on the place, it is onerous to disclaim this system the highest spot.

Tight ends have developed, and there’s extra worth within the place now than ever. Names reminiscent of Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen helped make that transition.

It is not shocking to see Iowa so excessive on this listing both, because the Hawkeyes recurrently produce high tight ends 12 months in and 12 months out. The truth is, Iowa grew to become the primary faculty to have two tight ends chosen within the first 20 picks of the NFL draft in April, when T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant have been each chosen within the first spherical. Iowa is a staff that would take over the No. 1 spot if Miami is not cautious. — Tom VanHaaren

1. Miami
Notable gamers: Bubba Franks, Jeremy Shockey, Greg Olsen, Jimmy Graham, David Njoku, Chris Herndon

2. Iowa
Notable gamers: Dallas Clark, Scott Chandler, Tony Moeaki, C.J. Fiedorowicz, George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant

three. Stanford
Notable gamers: Coby Fleener, Zach Ertz, Austin Hooper, Dalton Schultz

four. Missouri
Notable gamers: Martin Rucker, Chase Coffman, Michael Egnew, Dwayne Blakley

5. Wisconsin
Notable gamers: Owen Daniels, Travis Beckum, Lance Kendricks, Troy Fumagalli

6. Oklahoma
Notable gamers: Mark Andrews, Blake Bell, James Hanna, Jermaine Gresham, Stephen Alexander

7. UCLA
Notable gamers: Bryan Fletcher, Marcedes Lewis, Thomas Duarte, Caleb Wilson

eight. Arizona State
Notable gamers: Todd Heap, Brian Jennings, Zach Miller

9. Virginia
Notable gamers: Heath Miller, Invoice Baber, Chris Luzar, Patrick Estes, Tom Santi

10. BYU
Notable gamers: Gabe Reid, Daniel Coats, Dennis Pitta, Jonny Harline

Alabama offensive linemen Jonah Williams (73) and Ross Pierschbacher (71) have been each 2019 NFL draft alternatives. Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos

Offensive Line U

It is no shock that Alabama finds itself on the high of this listing with Wisconsin a detailed second. On this analysis, Alabama had probably the most seasons with an all-conference participant and has had an unbelievable quantity of gamers drafted since 1998.

The Crimson Tide and Badgers led a lot of the classes analyzed, and although offensive linemen may be tough to guage individually, whenever you have a look at the draft outcomes for each groups, it is simple to see why these two high the listing. It is going to be tough to dethrone these two packages, however Oklahoma and Notre Dame have been making an enormous push as of late. The Irish particularly have had a run of high offensive linemen taken within the NFL draft and seemingly have extra on the best way. — Tom VanHaaren

1. Alabama
Notable gamers: Andre Smith, James Carpenter, D.J. Fluker, Cam Robinson, Jonah Williams, Ross Pierschbacher

2. Wisconsin
Notable gamers: Joe Thomas, Gabe Carimi, Kevin Zeitler, Travis Frederick, Michael Deiter, David Edwards

three. Oklahoma
Notable gamers: Jammal Brown, Davin Joseph, Phil Loadholt, Trent Williams, Lane Johnson, Orlando Brown, Cody Ford

four. Michigan
Notable gamers: Jon Jansen, Steve Hutchinson, Jeff Backus, David Baas, Jake Lengthy, Taylor Lewan

5. Ohio State
Notable gamers: LeCharles Bentley, Nick Mangold, Mike Adams, Jack Mewhort, Taylor Decker, Pat Elflein, Billy Worth

6. USC
Notable gamers: Winston Justice, Ryan Kalil, Sam Baker, Tyron Smith, Matt Kalil, Marcus Martin, Chuma Edoga

7. Notre Dame
Notable gamers: Luke Petitgout, Jeff Faine, Zack Martin, Nick Martin, Ronnie Stanley, Mike McGlinchey, Quenton Nelson

eight. Florida State
Notable gamers: Tra Thomas, Rodney Hudson, Menelik Watson, Bryan Stork, Cameron Erving, Tre’ Jackson

9. Texas
Notable gamers: Jay Humphrey, Leonard Davis, Mike Williams, Derrick Dockery, Justin Blalock, Connor Williams

10. Florida
Notable gamers: Kenyatta Walker, Max Starks, Maurkice Pouncey, Marcus Gilbert, Mike Pouncey, D.J. Humphries, Jawaan Taylor

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Defensive Again U

With only a few glances at Twitter in the course of the season, you will see that Florida and LSU gamers — present and former — and their official soccer staff accounts are consistently bombarding the web with claims of “DBU.”

It truly could be faculty soccer’s greatest rivalry over the previous few years.

Sadly for each faculties, they should take a again seat to the true DBU: Ohio State.

Since 1998, Ohio State has 26 all-conference seasons by defensive backs (tops within the nation) and 6 All-American seasons, which ranks second behind that of Alabama and LSU (eight). For the reason that 1998 season, 30 Buckeyes defensive backs have been drafted, amongst them 12 first-round picks, together with three — Marshon Lattimore, Malik Hooker and Gareon Conley — in 2017.

After the Buckeyes, it was a run of SEC groups, with LSU, Alabama and Florida taking spots two via 4. — Edward Aschoff

1. Ohio State
Notable gamers: Marshon Lattimore, Denzel Ward, Eli Apple, Malcolm Jenkins

2. LSU
Notable gamers: Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, Jamal Adams

three. Alabama
Notable gamers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Mark Barron, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

four. Florida
Notable gamers: Vernon Hargreaves III, Joe Haden, Reggie Nelson

5. Florida State
Notable gamers: Jalen Ramsey, Derwin James, Myron Rolle

6. Texas
Notable gamers: Kenny Vaccaro, Earl Thomas, Quentin Jammer

7. USC
Notable gamers: Adoree’ Jackson, Taylor Mays, Troy Polamalu

eight. Miami
Notable gamers: Kenny Phillips, Brandon Meriweather, Sean Taylor

9. Virginia Tech
Notable gamers: Kyle Fuller, Kam Chancellor, DeAngelo Corridor

10. Oklahoma
Notable gamers: Roy Williams, Andre Woolfolk, Zack Sanchez

Former Alabama defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne have taken their skills to the NFL and the Washington Redskins. Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire

Defensive Line U

Ask any quarterback within the SEC, and you will not precisely be stunned by our DLU winner. In fact it is Alabama.

The Crimson Tide’s defensive entrance has been tormenting opposing offenses for the higher a part of the previous decade, and the litany of D-line superstars to emerge from Tuscaloosa — from Jarret Johnson to Quinnen Williams — consists of 12 All-SEC seasons and 5 All-People. In fact, the Dabo Swinney period at Clemson provides the Tide a run for its cash. Clemson has had 17 All-ACC seasons from D-linemen, with final season’s group — Christian Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell, Austin Bryant and Dexter Lawrence — all drafted, together with three within the first spherical. As a lot because the playoff battles between the Tide and Tigers have been a staple of school soccer the previous few years, so too could be this battle for the official title of D-line U.

Clemson has a brand new group of rising stars, together with Okay.J. Henry and Xavier Thomas, and Alabama inked eight blue-chip D-linemen within the 2019 class, together with five-star stud Antonio Alfano.

Maybe probably the most shocking identify in our rankings is North Carolina, which checks in at No. 12. It hasn’t been a terrific run of late for the Tar Heels, however UNC dominated the early a part of this period with names reminiscent of Ebenezer Ekuban, Ryan Sims, Julius Peppers, Kentwan Balmer, Robert Quinn, Quinton Coples and Sylvester Williams, all first-round picks.

Searching for the up-and-coming contender for DLU? Attempt Ohio State, which has had 11 defensive linemen drafted up to now decade and is probably going so as to add one other first-rounder in Chase Younger subsequent 12 months. — David Hale

1. Alabama
Notable gamers: Cornelius Griffin, Antwan Odom, Terrence Cody, Marcell Dareus, A’Shawn Robinson, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Da’Shawn Hand, Quinnen Williams

2. Clemson
Notable gamers: Gaines Adams, Phillip Merling, Ricky Sapp, Da’Quan Bowers, Jarvis Jenkins, Andre Department, Grady Jarrett, Vic Beasley, Shaq Lawson, Kevin Dodd, Dexter Lawrence, Christian Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell

three. Penn State
Notable gamers: Courtney Brown, Anthony Adams, Michael Haynes, Jimmy Kennedy, Tamba Hali, Aaron Maybin, Jared Odrick, Devon Nonetheless, Carl Nassib, Austin Johnson

four. LSU
Notable gamers: Booger McFarland, Marcus Spears, Kyle Williams, Glenn Dorsey, Tyson Jackson, Arden Key, Michael Brockers, Benny Logan

5. Florida State
Notable gamers: Corey Simon, Jamal Reynolds, Darnell Dockett, Travis Johnson, Brodrick Bunkley, Everette Brown, Tank Carradine, Timmy Jernigan, Bjoern Werner, Eddie Goldman, Mario Edwards Jr., DeMarcus Walker, Brian Burns

6. Ohio State
Notable gamers: Mike Vrabel, Ryan Pickett, Will Smith, Cam Heyward, Johnathan Hankins, Adolphus Washington, Joey Bosa, Sam Hubbard, Tyquan Lewis, Dre’Mont Jones, Nick Bosa, Chase Younger

7. Texas
Notable gamers: Shaun Rogers, Casey Hampton, Cory Redding, Marcus Tubbs, Tim Crowder, Brian Orakpo, Lamar Houston, Malcolm Brown

eight. Florida
Notable gamers: Jevon Kearse, Gerard Warren, Jarvis Moss, Derrick Harvey, Carlos Dunlap, Sharrif Floyd, Dominique Easley, Taven Bryan, Jachai Well mannered

9. USC
Notable gamers: Kenechi Udeze, Shaun Cody, Mike Patterson, Frostee Rucker, Lawrence Jackson, Sedrick Ellis, Everson Griffen, Leonard Williams

10. Tennessee
Notable gamers: Darwin Walker, Shaun Ellis, Albert Haynesworth, John Henderson, Justin Harrell, Dan Williams, Derek Barnett

Roquan Smith is the newest in an extended line of Georgia linebackers to seek out NFL success. Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire

Linebacker U

It is onerous to not be mesmerized by all the expertise Georgia has produced at operating again courting to Herschel Walker, arguably the best participant to ever play within the SEC.

However whenever you look throughout on the different aspect of the ball, the Bulldogs have been equally blessed at linebacker. Prior to now 5 years, they’ve produced seven NFL draft picks at both inside or exterior linebacker. Return seven years, and that quantity jumps to 10 linebackers taken within the NFL draft, together with 4 first-rounders.

Traditionally, the Linebacker U tag may need been reserved for Penn State, and the Nittany Lions are nonetheless up there. However the Dawgs declare the highest spot because the begin of the BCS in 1998, due to their array of run-stuffing inside linebackers, pass-rushing specialists on the surface and do-it-all guys reduce from the mildew of Boss Bailey, who was the heartbeat of the 2002 Georgia protection that ranked fourth nationally in scoring.

Georgia completed simply forward of SEC counterpart Alabama, which has additionally produced nice linebackers over time. Good luck discovering a extra versatile linebacker lately than C.J. Mosley, considered one of 9 Alabama linebackers to be picked within the NFL draft up to now six years. Talking of Penn State, it is onerous to discover a extra embellished trio at one faculty up to now 20 years than LaVar Arrington, Paul Posluszny and Dan Connor, although the parents at Ohio State could be fast to counter with such legendary names as Andy Katzenmoyer, James Laurinaitis and A.J. Hawk. — Chris Low

1. Georgia
Notable gamers: Roquan Smith, Justin Houston, Alec Ogletree

2. Alabama
Notable gamers: C.J. Mosley, Rolando McClain, Dont’a Hightower

three. Ohio State
Notable gamers: A.J. Hawk, Andy Katzenmoyer, James Laurinaitis

four. USC
Notable gamers: Rey Maualuga, Clay Matthews, Chris Claiborne

5. Penn State
Notable gamers: LaVar Arrington, Paul Posluszny, Dan Connor

6. Oklahoma
Notable gamers: Curtis Lofton, Teddy Lehman, Rocky Calmus

7. UCLA
Notable gamers: Robert Thomas, Anthony Barr, Myles Jack

eight. Florida State
Notable gamers: Ernie Sims, Lawrence Timmons, Tommy Polley

9. Michigan
Notable gamers: Devin Bush, LaMarr Woodley, Larry Foote

10. Florida
Notable gamers: Brandon Spikes, Jarrad Davis, Jevon Kearse

ESPN Stats & Info contributed to this story.