NFL players from Eastern Illinois
13 NFL players came out of Eastern Illinois. Here they all are, ranked the way The Chains ranks them, most recognizable first.
13
Players
7
Easy to name
Rare
Best link
More Eastern Illinois players suited up for the Las Vegas Raiders than any other franchise (3).
How this plays in The Chains
A shared college is a link, just like a shared team, and every link is scored by how unlikely it was that a fan would name it. Connect two players through Pierre Walters and the Eastern Illinois link is rated Rare (+90 bonus points). Some daily puzzles even require a Eastern Illinois alum in your chain.
Play today's puzzleEasy to name
Common and Uncommon. The easiest answers from this school.
- Common
Jimmy Garoppolo
QB · 2014–2025 · NE, RAI, RAM, SF
- Common
Tony Romo
QB · 2003–2016 · DAL
- Common
Kamu Grugier-Hill
LB · 2016–2024 · ARI, CAR, HOU, MIA, MIN, PHI
- Uncommon
Chris Watson
DB · 1999–2002 · BUF, DEN
- Uncommon
Jeff Gossett
SPEC · 1990–1996 · RAI
- Uncommon
Sean McGrath
TE · 2012–2017 · KC, LAC, SEA
- Uncommon
Alexander Hollins
WR · 2019 · MIN
In the middle
Real answers, but not the first ones people think of.
- Rare
Ray McElroy
DB · 1995–2001 · CHI, DET, IND
- Rare
John Jurkovic
DL · 1991–1999 · CLE, GB, JAX
- Rare
Otis Hudson
G · 2011 · CIN
The rarest links
The players almost nobody names first, and the biggest bonus in a puzzle.
- Rare
Brad Fichtel
OL · 1993–1994 · RAM
- Rare
Bob Rosenstiel
TE · 1997 · RAI
- Rare
Pierre Walters
OLB · 2009 · KC
Players who attended more than one school appear on each school's page. Team lists count franchises, so earlier cities and names are included (Raiders in Oakland, Rams in St. Louis). Rarity tiers come from the same scoring The Chains uses in its daily puzzles.