As of the 2026 roster cuts on August 31, two South Carolina institutions, including South Carolina State, had players on active 53-man NFL rosters. South Carolina State had two players make NFL rosters, while the University of South Carolina contributed 25 players to NFL teams.
Across the nation, 210 colleges and universities had at least one player on an NFL roster. This total includes 138 FBS schools, 50 FCS schools, 21 Division II schools, one Division III school, and nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Ohio State led all schools with 58 players on active rosters. Alabama followed closely with 57 players, and Georgia had 53 players. Other top contributors included LSU with 44 players, Texas with 42, and Notre Dame with 40.
Among FCS schools, South Dakota State had the most players with seven. Northern Iowa and Eastern Washington each had four players. South Carolina State was one of three HBCUs with two players on NFL rosters, alongside Florida A&M and Alcorn State.
The data specifically accounts for players on active 53-man rosters and does not include those on injury reserve, practice squads, or the commissioner’s exempt list.
