The most inspirational NFL player who did not attend college was probably Brian Banks. In high school, Banks was a highly sought-after recruit, but everything was taken from him when he was wrongly accused of sexual assault. In high school, Brian Banks was a linebacker who garnered national attention.
Lawrence Okoye never went to college but made it to the San Francisco 49ers for a brief stay. He never saw the field but did bounce around a few practice squads until 2017 before he was washed out of the league. Lawrence Okoye will turn 30 this year.
Former rugby league player Jarryd Hayne later made the NFL. Football was not Hayne’s sport in college. Jarryd Hayne attempted to play NCAA American football but dropped out of high school. He would be ineligible to play college football in the United States as a result.
Efe Obada began his football career by playing with the London Warriors in the National Leagues of the British American Football Association. For the Warriors, he would take part in five contests.
Antonio Gates only played basketball in college, despite going there. Gates, a tight end who played from 2003 to 2018, is arguably the best NFL player who never played football in college.
Ray Seals, one of the more well-known players, never played football in college yet managed to infiltrate the NFL. He was a defensive end and nose tackle with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1989 to 1993.