Ivy League schools are synonymous with rocket scientists, doctors, lawyers, engineers, and many other professions requiring many book smarts. When a person gets accepted into an Ivy League powerhouse, they would be more inclined to work a 9-4 rather than play professional sports for a living.
That’s right, people accepted into Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University are rarities in the NFL and other major American sports leagues.
However, to every rule, there is an exception. Ivy League powerhouses also have some NFL players doing their alma maters proud. So without further ado, here is a list of the top five Ivy League players in the National Football League right now, in no particular order.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate has become part of the franchise’s furniture since he was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2014. A model of professionalism, the Harvard University-schooled Brate has never complained about his fluctuating minutes as a member of the Buccaneers.
Instead, over the years, he has contributed to Tampa’s rise from a perennial lottery team to frequent playoff contenders and eventual Super Bowl winners in the 2020 NFL season.
Brate has amassed 33 touchdowns in 115 games played (32 starts) in his NFL career (all with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers).
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Former University of Pennsylvania captain Brandon Copeland has been a part of six NFL franchises and played for four. He has carved out a decent career for himself in the process.
The University of Pennsylvania alum was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He might not have played for the Ravens before being waived, but his performance with the side helped him sign with the Tennessee Titans not too long after.
Copeland is a no-nonsense linebacker with a penchant for rough but fair tackles. You can always trust him to give his best when on the Gridiron. The linebacker most recently was a part of the Ravens practice squad, as he builds fitness for another run in the league.
Copeland has amassed 163 total tackles (104 solo and 59 assisted) in 85 NFL games.
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Greg Van Roten is as polished as they come, with the University of Pennsylvania alum having his Bachelor of Science in Economics with a Concentration in Marketing. But then, he plays NFL football as well.
The Green Bay Packers signed the guard as an undrafted free agent in 2012, and he helped protect Aaron Rodgers from tackles in ten games that season.
Following his spell with the Packers, he has appeared in NFL games at guard for the Seattle Seahawks, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Carolina Panthers, the New York Jets, and his current employers, the Buffalo Bills. Van Roten has started 50 out of 77 games in his NFL career.
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The first drafted Ivy League alum on our list, Foyesade Oluokun, is one of the best Ivy League players to grace the NFL in recent memory. The Yale University alum is a linebacker drafted 200th overall in the sixth round of 2018 by the Atlanta Falcons.
Since being drafted by the Falcons, Oluokun has only improved, eventually earning a three-year, $45 million with the Jacksonville Jaguars following his rookie deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
Oluokun has racked up 519 total tackles (311 solo and 208) in the 70 NFL games he has played.
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Arguably the most accomplished Ivy League alum in the NFL today and easily one of the most successful sportsmen to come out of Harvard University, Kyle Juszczyk is as solid as they come at fullback.
Juszczyk has represented the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers during his NFL career and carved out a niche as a top-tier fullback in the ultra-competitive league.
Juszczyk is the first fullback drafted from Harvard and only the tenth player in school history to be drafted. Plus, Juszczyk didn’t just come to the league to make up the numbers, as evidenced by his six Pro Bowl selections since 2016.
The Harvard University alum is set for the future, as he is in just his second year of a five-year contract extension with the 49ers worth $27 million. Juszczyk has played 145 games in his career and accumulated 18 touchdowns.
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