All About the U – An in-depth analysis on which school really is THE U.

by Harris Oates

All football fans think the same thing when they hear the phrase “The U”. They imagine the late 80’s University of Miami teams scoring ridiculous touchdowns followed by some of the most iconic and in-your-face celebrations. They have memories of guys like Ed Reed, Michael Irvin and Ray Lewis sporting that sleek, orange and green logo on the side of their white helmets. The U was iconic, representing a cocky but successful football program that seemed to get away with anything. After all those championships, celebrations and attention, the absolute last thing imaginable would be a team struggling to win 6 games to become bowl eligible. Unfortunately, this has become a harsh reality as the 6-5 Hurricane’s face off with the ACC Coastal Champs Pittsburgh on Saturday.  

The Miami  Hurricanes still are and always will be known as “The U” to college football fans, even though it is rare that the Canes sign a top 5 prospect or upset a top 25 team nowadays. Sure, they had a nice little run, fueled by their extravagant turnover chain, but they never fully regained that Swag they once had. Regardless of The U, what about DBU? What about RBU or WRU or even QBU? I have broken down which universities are most qualified to coin these nicknames based off the current NFL players each has produced as well as the prospects they currently have.   

LSU or DBU? Image from SEC Country.

DBU – LSU

Notable NFL Players: Tyrann Mathieu, Patrick Peterson, Jamal Adams, Jalen Mills, Morris Claibourne, Rickey Jefferson, Rashard Robinson, Kevin Toliver, Tre’Davious White, Eric Reid, Donte Jackson, Greedy Williams (soon), Grant Delpit (soon)

LSU takes the title for DBU and edges out other notable schools such as Ohio State, Clemson and Florida State.  Tyrann Mathieu, Patrick Peterson and Jamal Adams headline the talented position group while Jalen Mills and Tre’Davious White gives it depth. LSU currently has the most talented secondary in the NCAA so look for all four starters to be in a starting role in the NFL in the future.

Georgia has a plethora of talented running backs. Image from Online Athens.

RBU – UGA

Notable NFL Players: Todd Gurley, Nick Chubb, Sony Michel

UGA boasts the NFL’s best running back along with 2 up and coming stars. Both Chubb and Michel look to have become solid NFL starters (although Michel may be cursed by the Patriots non-bell cow offense) as Gurley will continue to shine in hopes of winning the NFL MVP. UGA beats out Wisconsin (White, Gordon, Clement) and Alabama (Ingram, Henry, Drake, Yeldon).  

Julio Jones is one of the best receivers in the NFL. Image from SB Nation.

WRU – Alabama 

Notable NFL Players: Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Amari Cooper, Ardarious Stewart, Gehrig Dieter, Robert Foster, Cam Sims, Jerry Juedy (soon), Jaylen Waddle (soon), Henry Ruggs III (soon), Devonte Smith (soon)  

The Alabama WR class vaunts quantity rather than quality. Besides Julio Jones, all the other receivers are mostly solid starters or special teams guys. I am still impressed how they can send relatively unknown guys like Sims onto NFL rosters. The current roster is absolutely stacked with NFL talent and is perhaps a large reason why Tua is a Heisman favorite.   

QBU – NC State

Notable NFL Players: Russell Wilson, Phillip Rivers, Jacoby Brissett, Mike Glennon, Ryan Finley (soon)

NC State narrowly beats out California (Goff, Rodgers) because of the quantity of QB’s on NFL rosters with NFL starting experience, as well as Finley poised to become the future hopeful for a franchise looking for a QB.

Greg Olsen has been a constant for the Panthers. Image from USA Today.

TEU – Miami (The U)

Notable NFL Players: Greg Olsen, Jimmy Graham (basketball), David Njoku

Olsen is the only Wide Receiver in NFL history to post three consecutive 1,000 yard seasons while Graham played a key role in the evolution of the tight end position. Njoku hopes to be a long-time starter for the Browns.

O-Line U – Oklahoma

Notable NFL Players: Lane Johnson, Trent Williams, Darryl Williams, Orlando Brown

Oklahoma wins out the O-Line battle and narrowly edges out all schools in the Big-10. Super Bowl Champ Lane Johnson, who was originally scouted as a QB, headlines the class.

D-Line U – Clemson

Notable NFL Players: Vic Beasley, Grady Jarrett, DJ Reader, Carlos Watkins, Jarvis Jenkins, DeShawn Williams, Clelin Ferrell (soon), Christian Wilkins (soon), Dexter Lawrence (soon)  

Clemson not only have the best D-Line in college football today, but they have had one of the best track records in sending guys to the NFL. Alabama rivals Clemson as DLU, but this years current draft class gives Clemson the slight edge.

Mason Foster went from the state of Washington to the District. Image from ESPN.

Linebacker U – Washington

Notable NFL Players: Shaq Thompson, Kieshawn Barria, Mason Foster, Cory Littleton, Zeke Turner

A school you might not think of as a dominant NCAA powerhouse, Washington has put serious talent into the NFL. Shaq Thompson has been an underrated cog in the Panther’s defense, while Cory Littleton and Mason Foster are near the top of the NFL in tackles.

Kicker U – Florida State

Notable NFL Players: Sebastian Janakowski, Graham Gano, Dustin Hopkins

Janakowski, due to his absurd leg strength, is an all time great in the NFL, while Gano and Hopkins are two solid starters. Although Aguyo didn’t work out, he was a phenomenal college kicker and there is a good shot his brother could work out well in the league.

Harris is a recent graduate of Birmingham-Southern College. He now works in Birmingham as well as coaches lacrosse for Mountain Brook High School. He loves following SEC football, covering fantasy football, the NFL Draft, and is also a lifelong Carolina Panthers fan.