The college football world is constantly debating which school is DBU, or Defensive Back University, meaning the program that has produced the most and/or best NFL talent at that position.
Many schools claim the title, but at the end of the day, there can only be one. In this article, I’ll break down which universities rank in the top 25 for producing lockdown defensive backs in the NFL, and which school truly holds the DBU crown.
Ranking the Top 25 Defensive Back Universities
25) South Carolina Gamecocks
The Gamecocks have produced 36 NFL defensive backs all time. Among them are all-time greats like Stephon Gilmore and Jonathan Joseph. Those 36 players have combined for 371 interceptions in the NFL, ranking 30th all time in that category.
24) Baylor Bears
While Baylor has only sent 32 defensive backs to the NFL, those players were highly productive, totaling 421 interceptions. Some of Baylor’s all-time greats include Thomas Everett, Ray Crockett and Gary Green. The Bears also recently produced Jalen Pitre, one of the league’s top young safeties.
23) Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State isn’t necessarily known for producing defensive backs, but the program has sent 36 to the league. Among the best are George Webster and Herb Adderley. Spartans DBs have 398 career NFL interceptions.
22) Pitt Panthers
When I started this article, I didn’t expect Pitt to make the list, but they’ve put an impressive 36 defensive backs in the NFL. Those players have tallied 446 interceptions. Most of that production came from Darrelle Revis, though Jordan Whitehead and Tom Flynn also contributed solid careers.
21) Colorado Buffaloes
The Buffaloes have produced standout DBs like Dick Anderson, Deon Figures and Chris Hudson. Anderson is their lone Hall of Famer. Colorado has sent 48 defensive backs to the NFL, ranking 11th in quantity, and those players combined for 395 interceptions.
20) Clemson Tigers
The Clemson Tigers have produced 41 defensive backs who have totaled 424 interceptions. Recent names include AJ Terrell, K’Von Wallace and Nate Wiggins. Brian Dawkins is the standout among Clemson DBs and a major reason they land on this list.
19) Oregon Ducks
The Ducks have produced 41 NFL defensive backs. Mel Renfro, a Hall of Famer with 10 Pro Bowl nods, leads the group. Oregon continues to develop talent like Jevon Holland, Christian Gonzalez and Deommodore Lenoir. Collectively, Oregon DBs have 492 interceptions.
18) Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State has sent 38 DBs to the NFL. While the quantity isn’t overwhelming, their productivity is impressive with 515 interceptions. Notable names include Adrian Amos, Kim Herring, Bryan Scott and Jaquan Brisker.
17) Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee has produced 41 NFL defensive backs who combined for 496 interceptions. While the Vols aren’t traditionally mentioned in DBU talks, Dale Carter, Eric Berry and Terry McDaniel helped cement their spot here.
16) Washington Huskies
Washington fans often argue for DBU status. The Huskies have produced 37 NFL defensive backs who’ve totaled 526 interceptions. Top names include Budda Baker, Lawyer Milloy and Marcus Peters.
15) Georgia Bulldogs
It’s no surprise to see the Georgia Bulldogs on this list, but they were honestly a little lower than I expected. In total, the Bulldogs have sent 47 defensive backs to the NFL, and those 47 players snagged 475 interceptions. Georgia is led by Hall of Famer Champ Bailey, but also produced Tim Jennings and Tyson Campbell.
14) Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M has sent 39 DBs to the NFL, and those players recorded a whopping 563 interceptions in their careers. At the top of the Aggies’ DB list is New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, who had 41 interceptions in his 15-year NFL career. They also have Kelvin Smith and Lester Hayes to round out a strong unit.
13) Oklahoma Sooners
With a history as rich as Oklahoma’s, it’s no shock they’re on this list. The Sooners have sent 52 DBs to the league, with those players racking up 506 career interceptions. Oklahoma has a long list of great NFL DBs, including Roy Williams, Tony Peters and Jason Belser.
12) Nebraska Cornhuskers
Much like Oklahoma, the Cornhuskers have been around so long that it just makes sense they’re here. Nebraska has produced 50 defensive backs in the NFL and has a total of 517 interceptions across those players. Some of Nebraska’s top pros at DB include Prince Amukamara, Mike Brown and Mike Minter.
11) Florida Gators
The Florida Gators just miss out on the top 10 with 46 defensive backs sent to the league and 570 total interceptions. The Gators have a history of producing some really solid DBs, with Joe Haden, Lito Sheppard and Louis Oliver at the top of the list.
10) UCLA Bruins
The Bruins cracking the top 10 was the biggest surprise for me, but when you look at the production UCLA DBs have had in the league, they deserve recognition. UCLA has produced 40 NFL DBs with 787 total interceptions. Jimmy Johnson, Kenny Easley and Carnell Lake are some of their all-time greats.
9) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame is another program that’s been around so long it would be weird not to have them on this list. The Irish have produced 56 defensive back pros, with those players grabbing 656 total interceptions. Notre Dame has had some elite safety play, with Harrison Smith and Kyle Hamilton leading the way. They also have players like Julian Love and Todd Lyght.
8) Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines come in at No. 8 in the DBU race, sending 47 DBs to the league, with those players combining for 793 interceptions. The first name that comes to mind is Charles Woodson, but there’s plenty of other talent like Leon Hall, Jabrill Peppers and more.
7) Florida State Seminoles
Florida State produced Deion Sanders, who many believe is the best defensive back of all time. The Seminoles have produced 49 pros in the secondary, and those players intercepted 672 passes in their combined NFL careers. Aside from Sanders, FSU has turned out players like Terrell Buckley, Xavier Rhodes and many more.
6) Alabama Crimson Tide
There’s no doubt Alabama belongs near the top of this list. The Tide have sent 53 defensive backs to the league, and those pros intercepted 715 passes combined. Bama has a lot of high-caliber DBs in the league right now with Patrick Surtain, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Xavier McKinney, Trevon Diggs, Brian Branch and Marlon Humphrey. Looking at their all-time list, you also see names like Landon Collins and Antonio Langham.
5) Texas Longhorns
The Texas Longhorns have to be part of the DBU conversation. Players like Earl Thomas, Nathan Vasher, Quentin Jammer and Jerry Gray lead the 52 Texas DBs who have played in the NFL. In total, Longhorn defensive backs have intercepted 727 passes in the NFL.
4) LSU Tigers
As we enter the top four, it’s clear LSU deserves a mention. The Tigers have sent 56 defensive backs to the NFL, with standout names like Jamal Adams, Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, Derrick Stingley and Tre’Davious White. LSU’s 56 NFL DBs have combined for 711 interceptions across their careers.
3) Miami Hurricanes
The Miami Hurricanes kick off the top three in all-time DBU rankings. The Canes have produced elite pros like Ed Reed, Sean Taylor, Antrel Rolle, Phillip Buchanon and Fred Taylor. In total, Miami produced 54 pros, and those players intercepted 728 passes during their careers.
2) Ohio State Buckeyes
I already know Buckeyes fans won’t be thrilled to see their team at No. 2, but I think USC has a slight edge. Ohio State has produced more DBs than any other school with 65, and those players have intercepted 971 passes all time. Some of the top Buckeyes include Antoine Winfield, Jack Tatum, Mike Doss and Malcolm Jenkins.
1) USC Trojans
Without further ado, the USC Trojans take the top spot in the DBU race. USC has sent 62 defensive backs to the NFL, with those players intercepting a massive 1,065 passes in their careers. The Trojans have produced two of the best safeties ever in Ronnie Lott and Troy Polamalu, along with other greats like Joey Browner and Adoree’ Jackson.
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