NFL players from North Carolina
178 NFL players came out of North Carolina. Here they all are, ranked the way The Chains ranks them, most recognizable first.
178
Players
20
Easy to name
Unicorn
Best link
More North Carolina players suited up for the Buffalo Bills than any other franchise (18).
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 Vic Worsley and the North Carolina link is rated Unicorn (+600 bonus points). Some daily puzzles even require a North Carolina alum in your chain.
Play today's puzzleEasy to name
Common and Uncommon. The easiest answers from this school.
- Common
Julius Peppers
DE · 2002–2018 · CAR, CHI, GB
- Common
Lawrence Taylor
LB · 1990–1993 · NYG
- Common
Robert Quinn
DE · 2011–2022 · CHI, DAL, MIA, PHI, RAM
- Common
Dre' Bly
DB · 1999–2009 · DEN, DET, RAM, SF
- Common
Greg Ellis
DL · 1998–2009 · DAL, RAI
- Common
Eric Ebron
TE · 2014–2021 · DET, IND, PIT
- Common
Alge Crumpler
TE · 2001–2010 · ATL, NE, TEN
- Common
Giovani Bernard
RB · 2013–2022 · CIN, TB
- Uncommon
Javonte Williams
RB · 2021–2026 · DAL, DEN
- Uncommon
Vonnie Holliday
DL · 1998–2012 · ARI, DEN, GB, KC, MIA, WAS
- Uncommon
Hakeem Nicks
WR · 2009–2015 · IND, NYG
- Uncommon
Drake Maye
QB · 2024–2026 · NE
- Uncommon
Mitchell Trubisky
QB · 2017–2026 · BUF, CHI, PIT, TEN
- Uncommon
Brian Simmons
LB · 1998–2007 · CIN, NO
- Uncommon
Zach Brown
OLB · 2012–2019 · BUF, PHI, TEN, WAS
- Uncommon
Omarion Hampton
RB · 2025–2026 · LAC
- Uncommon
Ebenezer Ekuban
DL · 1999–2008 · CLE, DAL, DEN
- Uncommon
Mack Hollins
WR · 2017–2026 · ATL, BUF, MIA, NE, PHI, RAI
- Uncommon
Mike Hughes
DB · 2018–2026 · ATL, DET, KC, MIN
- Uncommon
Josh Downs
WR · 2023–2026 · IND
In the middle
Real answers, but not the first ones people think of.
- Rare
Tre Boston
SS · 2014–2020 · ARI, CAR, LAC
- Rare
Freddie Jones
TE · 1997–2004 · ARI, LAC
- Rare
Michael Carter
RB · 2021–2026 · ARI, NYJ, TEN
- Rare
David Thornton
OLB · 2002–2010 · IND, TEN
- Rare
William Henderson
RB · 1995–2006 · GB
- Rare
Gerald Sensabaugh
SS · 2005–2012 · DAL, JAX
- Rare
Bruce Carter
LB · 2011–2018 · ATL, DAL, NYJ, TB
- Rare
Da'Norris Searcy
SS · 2011–2018 · BUF, CAR, TEN
- Rare
Dyami Brown
WR · 2021–2026 · JAX, WAS
- Rare
Cole Holcomb
LB · 2019–2026 · PIT, WAS
- Rare
M.J. Stewart
DB · 2018–2026 · CLE, HOU, TB
- Rare
Willie Parker
RB · 2004–2009 · PIT
- Rare
Brandon Tate
WR · 2009–2018 · BUF, CIN, NE, NO
- Rare
Ryan Sims
DT · 2002–2010 · KC, TB
- Rare
Quinton Coples
DE · 2012–2015 · MIA, NYJ
- Rare
Greg Little
WR · 2011–2014 · CIN, CLE
- Rare
Sylvester Williams
NT · 2013–2020 · DEN, DET, LAC, MIA, TEN
- Rare
Willie Lampkin
OL · 2026 · PHI
- Rare
Harris Barton
OL · 1990–1998 · SF
- Rare
Ryan Switzer
WR · 2017–2019 · DAL, PIT
- Rare
Keith Newman
LB · 1999–2005 · ATL, BUF, MIN
- Rare
Devontez Walker
WR · 2024–2026 · BAL
- Rare
Cedric Gray
LB · 2024–2026 · TEN
- Rare
Sam Howell
QB · 2022–2026 · DAL, PHI, SEA, WAS
- Epic
William Fuller
DL · 1990–1998 · LAC, PHI, TEN
- Epic
Bucky Brooks
WR · 1994–1998 · BUF, GB, JAX, KC, RAI
- Epic
Jimmy Hitchcock
DB · 1995–2001 · CAR, MIN, NE
- Epic
Ty Chandler
RB · 2022–2025 · MIN
- Epic
Russell Davis
DL · 1999–2007 · ARI, CHI, NYG, SEA
- Epic
Antoine Green
WR · 2023 · DET
- Epic
Kareem Martin
DE · 2014–2020 · ARI, DET, NYG
- Epic
Ethan Horton
TE · 1990–1994 · RAI, WAS
- Epic
Thomas Smith
DB · 1993–2001 · BUF, CHI, IND
- Epic
Cam Thomas
DT · 2010–2017 · KC, LAC, PIT, RAM
- Epic
Bracy Walker
DB · 1994–2005 · CIN, DET, KC, MIA
- Epic
Sam Aiken
WR · 2003–2010 · BUF, CLE, NE
- Epic
Ron Burton
LB · 1990 · RAI
- Epic
Bernardo Harris
LB · 1995–2002 · BAL, GB
- Epic
Marcus Jones
DL · 1996–2001 · TB
- Epic
T.J. Yates
QB · 2011–2017 · ATL, HOU, MIA
- Epic
Tommy Thigpen
LB · 1993 · NYG
- Epic
Sedrick Hodge
LB · 2001–2005 · NO
- Epic
Jason Brown
G · 2005–2011 · BAL, RAM
- Epic
Tim Goad
DL · 1990–1996 · BAL, CLE, NE
- Epic
Leon Johnson
RB · 1997–2003 · CHI, LAC, NYJ
- Epic
Amari Gainer
LB · 2024 · RAI
- Epic
Kelvin Bryant
RB · 1990 · WAS
- Epic
Natrone Means
RB · 1993–2000 · CAR, JAX, LAC
- Epic
Shaun Draughn
RB · 2011–2016 · BAL, CHI, CLE, KC, LAC, SF
- Epic
Jonathan Cooper
G · 2014–2019 · ARI, CLE, DAL, NE, RAI, WAS
- Epic
Chazz Surratt
LB · 2021–2026 · MIN, NYJ, SEA
- Epic
Jeff Reed
K · 2002–2010 · PIT, SF
- Epic
Randy Jordan
RB · 1993–2002 · JAX, RAI
- Epic
Torin Dorn
DB · 1990–1996 · RAI, RAM
- Epic
Jeff Saturday
OL · 1999–2012 · GB, IND
- Epic
Kentwan Balmer
DE · 2008–2011 · SEA, SF, WAS
- Epic
Connor Barth
K · 2008–2017 · CHI, DEN, KC, TB
- Epic
Jesse Holley
WR · 2010–2011 · DAL
- Epic
Joshua Ezeudu
OL · 2022–2026 · KC, NYG
- Epic
Donnell Thompson
DL · 1990–1992 · IND
- Epic
Rondell Jones
DB · 1993–1997 · BAL, DEN
- Epic
Brian Blados
OL · 1990–1992 · CIN, IND, TB
- Epic
Carlton Bailey
LB · 1990–1997 · BUF, CAR, NYG
- Epic
Dwight Hollier
LB · 1992–2000 · IND, MIA
- Epic
Dexter Reid
SS · 2004–2006 · IND, NE
- Epic
Mike Morton
LB · 1995–2001 · GB, IND, RAI, RAM
- Epic
Charlie Heck
OL · 2020–2025 · ARI, HOU, SF, TB
- Epic
Derrick Fenner
RB · 1990–1997 · CIN, RAI, SEA
- Epic
Marvin Austin
DT · 2012–2014 · DAL, DEN, MIA, NYG
- Epic
Eddie Mason
LB · 1995–2002 · JAX, NYJ, WAS
- Epic
Russell Bodine
C · 2014–2019 · BUF, CIN, NE
- Epic
Kevin Donnalley
OL · 1991–2003 · CAR, MIA, TEN
- Epic
Troy Barnett
DL · 1994–1996 · NE, WAS
- Epic
British Brooks
RB · 2024–2026 · HOU
- Epic
Asim Richards
OL · 2023–2026 · DAL, NO
- Epic
Alijah Huzzie
DB · 2025–2026 · HOU, JAX
- Epic
Reuben Davis
DL · 1990–1998 · ARI, LAC, TB
- Epic
Brian Bollinger
OL · 1992–1994 · ARI, SF
- Epic
Riddick Parker
DL · 1997–2003 · BAL, NE, SEA
- Epic
Madison Hedgecock
FB · 2005–2010 · NYG, RAM
- Epic
Jordon Riley
DL · 2023–2025 · GB, NYG
- Epic
Antonio Williams
RB · 2020–2022 · BUF, NYG
- Epic
Dazz Newsome
WR · 2021 · CHI
- Epic
Tito Wooten
DB · 1994–1999 · IND, NYG
- Epic
Na Brown
WR · 1999–2001 · PHI
- Epic
Elijah Hood
RB · 2017 · RAI
- Epic
Nazair Jones
DL · 2017–2018 · SEA
- Epic
Antonio Goss
LB · 1991–1996 · RAM, SF
- Epic
Jonathan Linton
RB · 1998–2000 · BUF
- Epic
Tomon Fox
LB · 2022–2025 · NYG
- Epic
Andre Smith
LB · 2018–2023 · ATL, BUF, CAR, TEN
- Epic
Ethan Albright
OL · 1995–2009 · BUF, MIA, WAS
- Epic
Greg Warren
LS · 2005–2016 · PIT
- Epic
Michael Waddell
CB · 2004–2005 · TEN
- Epic
James Hurst
T · 2014–2023 · BAL, NO
- Epic
Tommy Barnhardt
SPEC · 1990–2000 · CAR, NO, TB, WAS
- Epic
Jeb Terry
G · 2004–2006 · TB
- Epic
Cecil Gray
DL · 1990–1995 · ARI, GB, IND, NO, PHI
- Epic
Diego Pounds
OL · 2026 · KC
- Epic
Roy Barker
DL · 1992–2000 · CLE, GB, MIN, SF
- Epic
Mike Wilcher
LB · 1990–1991 · LAC, RAM
- Epic
Nate Hobgood-Chittick
DL · 1998–2002 · IND, KC, NYG, RAM, SF
- Epic
T.J. Logan
RB · 2018–2019 · ARI, TB
- Epic
Ronald Curry
QB · 2002–2008 · RAI
- Epic
Ryan Taylor
TE · 2011–2014 · CLE, GB
- Epic
Garrett Reynolds
T · 2009–2015 · ATL, DET, RAM
- Epic
Marcus McKethan
OL · 2023 · NYG
- Epic
Landon Turner
OL · 2016 · NO
- Epic
Eric Blount
WR · 1992–1993 · ARI
- Epic
Larry Griffin
DB · 1990–1993 · PIT
- Epic
Darrell Hamilton
OL · 1990–1993 · DEN, LAC
- Epic
Kivuusama Mays
LB · 1998–1999 · GB, MIN
- Epic
Jalen Dalton
DL · 2022 · ATL
- Epic
Mike Dulaney
RB · 1995–1998 · CAR, CHI
- Epic
Jason Strowbridge
DL · 2020 · MIA
- Epic
Austin Robbins
DL · 1994–2000 · GB, NO, RAI
- Epic
Zach Hilton
TE · 2003–2005 · NO
- Epic
Travis Bond
G · 2013 · CAR
- Epic
Corey Holliday
WR · 1995–1997 · PIT
- Epic
Wallace Wright
WR · 2006–2009 · NYJ
- Epic
Johnny White
RB · 2011–2012 · BUF
- Legendary
Brandon Spoon
LB · 2001 · BUF
- Legendary
E.J. Wilson
DE · 2010 · SEA
- Legendary
James Hamilton
LB · 1997–1998 · JAX
- Legendary
Jabari Price
CB · 2014 · MIN
- Legendary
Richard Quinn
TE · 2009–2012 · CIN, DEN, WAS
- Legendary
Deon Dyer
RB · 2000–2002 · MIA
- Legendary
Michael Carter
DL · 1990–1992 · SF
- Legendary
Reggie Clark
LB · 1994–1996 · JAX, PIT
- Legendary
Greg DeLong
TE · 1995–2000 · BAL, JAX, MIN
- Legendary
Myles Dorn
DB · 2021–2022 · MIN
- Legendary
Tim Scott
DB · 2016 · CLE
- Legendary
Kevin Reddick
ILB · 2013–2015 · BUF, CAR, LAC, NO
- Legendary
Rick Terry
DL · 1997–1999 · CAR, NYJ
- Legendary
Robert Williams
DB · 1998–1999 · KC, NO, SEA, SF
- Legendary
Chris Pike
DL · 1990–1991 · CLE, RAM
- Legendary
Oscar Sturgis
DL · 1995–1996 · DAL, GB, MIA
- Legendary
Jamal Jones
WR · 2005–2006 · GB, NO
- Legendary
Hilee Taylor
DE · 2008–2009 · CAR
- Legendary
Aaron Crawford
DL · 2020 · BAL
- Legendary
Jake Bargas
RB · 2020–2021 · MIN
- Legendary
Quincy Monk
OLB · 2002–2004 · HOU, NYG
- Legendary
R.J. Prince
OL · 2020 · BAL
- Ball-knower
Ray Jacobs
LB · 1994–1995 · DEN
- Ball-knower
Terry Billups
DB · 1998–1999 · DAL, NE
- Ball-knower
Andre Purvis
DL · 1997–1999 · CIN
- Ball-knower
Deems May
TE · 1992–1999 · LAC, SEA
- Ball-knower
Mike Pringley
DL · 1999–2001 · DET, LAC
The rarest links
The players almost nobody names first, and the biggest bonus in a puzzle.
- Ball-knower
Chase Page
DT · 2006–2007 · MIA
- Ball-knower
Omar Brown
DB · 1998–1999 · ATL
- Ball-knower
Rickie Shaw
OL · 1993–1994 · NO, PHI, SEA
- Unicorn
Sean Boyd
DB · 1996 · ATL
- Unicorn
Zack Pianalto
TE · 2011 · TB
- Unicorn
Jonas Seawright
NT · 2006 · NYG
- Unicorn
Curt Brown
DL · 1994 · PHI
- Unicorn
William Sweet
OL · 2020 · DAL
- Unicorn
Shakeel Rashad
LB · 2016 · HOU
- Unicorn
Vic Worsley
LB · 2007 · IND
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.