All colleges

NFL players from Western Illinois

25 NFL players came out of Western Illinois. Here they all are, ranked the way The Chains ranks them, most recognizable first.

25

Players

12

Easy to name

Legendary

Best link

More Western Illinois players suited up for the New Orleans Saints than any other franchise (4).

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 Reggie Waddell and the Western Illinois link is rated Legendary (+250 bonus points). Some daily puzzles even require a Western Illinois alum in your chain.

Play today's puzzle

Easy to name

Common and Uncommon. The easiest answers from this school.

In the middle

Real answers, but not the first ones people think of.

The rarest links

The players almost nobody names first, and the biggest bonus in a puzzle.

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.