Arizona Wildcats Insider Podcast: Top Arizona Players in NFL History

Arizona has put a lot of players into the NFL and many have gone on to have success. We broke down the top players from UA to play in the NFL.

Jan 23, 2005; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi holds the AFC trophy in celebration after a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2004 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field. Patriots beat the Steelers 41-27. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images | Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

Welcome! To another edition of the Arizona Wildcats Insider Podcast featuring your host Troy Hutchison, who will be delivering a daily podcast discussing everything happening surrounding Arizona athletics giving you an inside look at all the programs on campus.

Hutchison has been covering Arizona for the last seven years with his coverage spanning all-across UA’s campus from football and men’s basketball to Title IX sports. Plus, with so many former Wildcats playing at the next level in their prospective sports there will be moments where he will take a deep dive into the Cats excelling outside of Tucson.

To watch today's episode, view below.

Arizona’s football history isn’t as storied as basketball with the program only making 22 bowl games and recording four 10-win seasons with two coming in the last eleven years. In 1998, the Wildcats finished with a school-record 12 wins capped off with a 23-20 win over Nebraska.

Throughout time, Arizona has seen many great players come and go, moving on to the next level and making an impact in the NFL. In all, The Wildcats have had 290 players get selected in the NFL Draft and most recently saw seven players over the last two drafts be selected.

Of those players, there has been a handful that have left a major mark on the NFL making a name for themselves at the next level.

Overall, Arizona has seen five players selected in the Top 10 of the draft with the first one in Walt Nelsen, who was taken with the 10th pick by the New York Giants in 1939.

Although the history of first round NFL Draft picks isn’t great, Arizona has had 12 first-round selections. In the past two drafts, the Wildcats have seen Tetairoa McMillan and offensive lineman Jordan Morgan go in the first round.

Both Morgan and McMillan will have a chance to leave a lasting impact on the league but their careers are just starting and they have a long way to go before doing so.

Out of all the UA players in the NFL, we named the four that stand above them all and have made their way through the league.

The one player that represented what it means to be a WIldcat when playing for the team in the 90’s and helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls is linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who played 13 years in the league and all with the same team.

Another Patriot made the cut but he comes on the offensive side of the ball in four-time SUper Bowl winner and four-time first-team All-Pro and that guy is tight end Rob Gronkowski, who played 11 seasons.

The last two on the list come on the defensive side of the ball in cornerback Chris McAlister and linebacker Lance Briggs. The two have combined for five All-Pro selections while being named a pro bowler 10 times as top players at their positions.

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