Roster cutdown day in the NFL has come and gone, and a large number of former Oregon Ducks remain on active NFL rosters. Forty-two, to be exact, the eighth-highest mark of active players among college football programs.
Only Ohio State (61), Alabama (61), Georgia (57), LSU (49), Notre Dame (47), Texas (46) and Michigan (45) top Oregon, who's also tied with Florida at 42 active players.
When thinking about the blue-bloods in college football, success on a national level is certainly needed. While the Ducks don't have a vaunted national title on their resume, they've been a factor in the College Football Playoff race for the better part of a decade, especially during Lanning's tenure. Since he took over prior to the 2022 season, the Ducks have a 48-8
record including Holiday Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, CFP First Round and Orange Bowl victories.
Colleges With Most NFL Players on 53-Man Rosters, per @spotrac pic.twitter.com/wvpc1ZIary
— College Football Report (@CFBReport) September 1, 2026
Potentially carrying just as much weight in the blue-blood conversation is the talent level of teams — and Oregon has had it in abundance in recent seasons. They set a program-record with ten players selected in the 2024 NFL, though that number could've been even higher because of the return of quarterback Dante Moore, wide receiver Evan Stewart, tight end Jamari Johnson and the entire starting defensive line.
While the influx of young talent has bloated the number of active Ducks in the NFL, there was still a respectable amount of Oregon alumni in the league prior to Lanning's tenure.
Players like defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead are still playing at a high level despite being in their 30's, while quarterback Justin Herbert and offensive tackle Penei Sewell are among the best at their positions. Christian Gonzalez is coming for the throne as the potential highest-paid cornerback in NFL history after helping lead a New England Patriots defense to the Super Bowl. Marcus Mariota is still secure in his place as one of the most reliable backup quarterbacks in the league for the Washington Commanders.
The bottom line is this: Look around the league rosters, and more than likely you'll find a former Oregon Duck.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks tied for 8th-most active NFL alumni
