NFL players from Western Carolina
14 NFL players came out of Western Carolina. Here they all are, ranked the way The Chains ranks them, most recognizable first.
14
Players
7
Easy to name
Epic
Best link
More Western Carolina players suited up for the Philadelphia Eagles 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 George Greene and the Western Carolina link is rated Epic (+160 bonus points). Some daily puzzles even require a Western Carolina alum in your chain.
Play today's puzzleEasy to name
Common and Uncommon. The easiest answers from this school.
- Common
David Patten
WR · 1997–2008 · CLE, NE, NO, NYG, WAS
- Common
Brad Hoover
RB · 2000–2009 · CAR
- Uncommon
Willie Williams
DB · 1993–2005 · PIT, SEA
- Uncommon
Keion Crossen
DB · 2018–2025 · CAR, HOU, MIA, NE, NYG
- Uncommon
Clyde Simmons
DL · 1990–2000 · ARI, CHI, CIN, JAX, PHI
- Uncommon
Dean Biasucci
SPEC · 1990–1995 · IND, RAM
- Uncommon
Andrew Jordan
TE · 1994–2001 · MIN, PHI, TB
In the middle
Real answers, but not the first ones people think of.
- Rare
Tony Jones
OL · 1990–2000 · BAL, CLE, DEN
- Rare
Louis Cooper
LB · 1990–1993 · KC, MIA, PHI
- Rare
Isaiah Johnson
DB · 2016–2018 · TB
- Rare
John Brannon
DB · 2020–2021 · CIN, LAC
The rarest links
The players almost nobody names first, and the biggest bonus in a puzzle.
- Rare
Detrez Newsome
RB · 2018 · LAC
- Epic
David Rivers
QB · 2004 · RAI
- Epic
George Greene
DB · 1990 · GB
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.