LSU Tigers: From Bayou to the Big Leagues - A Statistical Safari with a Side of Gumbo
Ah, LSU. The land of jambalaya, jubilant tailgates, and a football program that churns out NFL players like a crawfish boil produces crustaceans (which is to say, in copious amounts). But just how many Tigers have clawed their way from Death Valley to the bright lights of Sunday Night Football? Buckle up, football fans, because we're about to dive into a statistical swamp teeming with fascinating facts (and maybe a few rogue alligators).
Drafted, Undrafted, and Somewhere in Between: The LSU NFL Pipeline
Here's the headline stat: The LSU Tigers boast a whopping 326 players drafted into the National Football League since the draft's inception in 1936. That's a hefty pile of purple and gold jerseys! But wait, there's more! Many LSU players bypass the draft and sign as free agents, bringing the total number of LSU alumni in the NFL to an even more impressive figure.
Fun Fact: LSU briefly held the title for most players on active NFL rosters in 2015. Looks like the Geauxlden Rule applies to the NFL too - gotta get those Tigers in the game!
From Number One Picks to Hall of Famers: LSU's NFL Royalty
LSU isn't just churning out numbers, they're producing quality. The Tigers have had a staggering 42 players taken in the first round, including three coveted number one overall picks: Billy Cannon (who could run like a spooked jackrabbit), Jamarcus Russell (let's not dwell on the past), and Joe Burrow (smooth operator with a championship ring to prove it).
And let's not forget the LSU legends enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Steve Van Buren (a back so dominant they named an award after him), Y.A. Tittle (whose arm could launch a football farther than a crawfish can fly backwards), and the legendary offensive linemen crew of Jim Taylor, Johnny Robinson, Alan Faneca, and Kevin Mawae. These guys paved the way for future LSU greats and deserve a standing ovation (and maybe a second helping of gumbo).
So, How Many LSU Players Are in the NFL Today?
Ah, the million-dollar question (well, maybe not literally, but you get the idea). That number fluctuates throughout the season, with injuries, retirements, and practice squad shuffles. But as of the 2023 season, LSU boasted around 43 active players on NFL rosters. That's a lot of Tigers ready to pounce on Sundays!
The Takeaway: LSU Football - A Breeding Ground for NFL Greatness
Here's the bottom line: LSU is a football factory, pumping out talent that leaves scouts drooling like a plate of untouched boudin. From first-round picks to undrafted gems, LSU players have a knack for making their mark on the NFL. So next time you see a ferocious defender or a smooth-throwing quarterback making plays on Sundays, there's a good chance they hail from the swamp - and they probably know a thing or two about a good gumbo recipe too.
