The NFL is a highly competitive league with a majority of talent coming from Division One colleges, while rare players from Division Two, Division Three, or NAIA colleges also contribute to the sport. However, there are rare players who make a significant impact without playing college football, highlighting the importance of diverse talent in the NFL.

Here are some players who made it in the NFL but skipped the college route

Brian Banks
Brian Banks, a high school football star at Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, California, signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 2013 and later signed as an undrafted free agent with the Las Vegas Locomotives in 2012.He was falsely accused of rape by classmate Wanetta Gibson and spent six years in prison and five years on parole. His conviction was overturned in 2012 when her accuser confessed to fabricating the story. Banks resumed his football career, playing for the now-defunct NFL, attending mini-camps, and eventually signing with the Atlanta Falcons.

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Antonio Gates
Tight end Antonio Gates, a six-time All-Pro selection and eight-time Pro Bowl selection, retired in 2020 after 16 years with the Chargers. Gates, an undrafted free agent in 2003, played college basketball for Kent State Golden Flashes. He is the Chargers’ career leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Gates is the second tight end and ninth player overall to record 100 career touchdown receptions, ranking seventh in career touchdown receptions. He is considered one of the best tight ends and undrafted free agents in NFL history.
Sav Rocca
Sav Rocca spent 15 years in the Australian Football League before transitioning to the NFL as a punter. He played for Collingwood and North Melbourne, becoming a seven-time leading goal kicker. In 2007, he joined the Philadelphia Eagles and was named the Oldest Rookie of the Year. He later joined Washington and completed his NFL career with 517 punts. In 2015, he rejoined the AFL with the Carlton Football Club, serving as a mentor and coach.
Brandon Aubrey
Brandon Aubrey is the placekicker for the Dallas Cowboys. He started his soccer career at Notre Dame and later played for Toronto FC and Bethlehem Steel FC. After his soccer career ended, Aubrey decided to try field goal kicking in football after watching a missed field goal. After coaching, he was drafted in the USFL Draft by the Birmingham Stallions and played for two seasons before joining the Dallas Cowboys in 2023. During the 2023 season, Aubrey made 36 of 38 field goals and 49 of 52 extra points, demonstrating his potential in the NFL.

Rico Gathers
Rico Gathers began his athletic career playing college basketball for the Baylor Bears, averaging 11.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and one block per game. He expressed interest in joining the football team but decided to declare for the NFL Draft after losing to Yale Bulldogs in the 2016 NCAA Tournament. He was drafted in 217th overall to the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round. Gathers played for the Cowboys from 2016 to 2018 and briefly with the Cleveland Browns in 2019, but injuries and off-the-field issues limited his NFL career.
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