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Quizzes > Sports

2000s NFL trivia: Name Each Player's College

Quick, free NFL college trivia quiz. Test your knowledge with instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Caitlin TranUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of a football helmet on a golden yellow background promoting a 2000s NFL college trivia quiz

This quiz helps you match 2000s NFL players to their college alma maters. See how many schools you can recall, pick up a few you missed, and get instant scoring. When you finish, try the NFL players college quiz, expand your knowledge with the college football quiz, or test your eye with the college football logo quiz.

Which university did Tom Brady attend for college?
Ohio State University
University of Florida
University of Michigan
University of Alabama
Tom Brady was the starting quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines from 1996 to 1999, leading them to an Orange Bowl victory in his senior season. During his time at Michigan, Brady set school records for passing yards and touchdowns under coach Lloyd Carr. His collegiate success laid the foundation for his selection in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.
Which college did Peyton Manning represent before entering the NFL?
University of Georgia
Louisiana State University
University of Tennessee
University of Florida
Peyton Manning played quarterback at the University of Tennessee from 1994 through 1997, setting SEC career records for passing yards and touchdown passes. His leadership helped the Volunteers win the SEC championship in 1997. He was the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft.
Drew Brees, a prominent 2000s NFL quarterback, attended which university?
University of Wisconsin
University of Nebraska
Purdue University
University of Oklahoma
Drew Brees was the star quarterback for Purdue University from 1997 to 2000, where he led the Boilermakers to a Big Ten championship and a Rose Bowl appearance. He set multiple Big Ten and school passing records before being drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 2001.
Which school did Aaron Rodgers play for in college?
University of California, Berkeley
University of Oregon
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Southern California
Aaron Rodgers transferred from Butte College to the University of California, Berkeley in 2003 and started at quarterback for the Golden Bears through 2004. He finished second in Heisman Trophy voting in 2004 after a record-setting season.
Where did Ben Roethlisberger play his college football?
University of Cincinnati
Miami University (Ohio)
Ohio State University
Michigan State University
Ben Roethlisberger was the quarterback for Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, from 2000 to 2003. He set multiple school and Mid-American Conference records en route to becoming a first-round pick in the 2004 NFL Draft.
Eli Manning, brother of Peyton, attended which university?
University of Alabama
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)
Texas A&M University
Louisiana State University
Eli Manning played quarterback at Ole Miss from 2000 to 2003, winning multiple SEC Offensive Player of the Week awards and finishing fourth in Heisman Trophy voting in 2003. His successful college career led to his selection as the first overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft.
Which college did Philip Rivers attend?
Duke University
North Carolina State University
Clemson University
University of North Carolina
Philip Rivers was the starting quarterback at NC State from 2000 to 2003, where he set numerous ACC and school passing records. Despite being drafted fourth overall in 2004, he was traded and became the Chargers' franchise quarterback.
Carson Palmer, the No. 1 overall pick in 2003, played college ball at:
University of Southern California
University of Notre Dame
Stanford University
University of California, Los Angeles
Carson Palmer was the USC Trojans' quarterback from 1998 to 2002, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2002 and leading USC to a national championship. His performance made him the first overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft.
Kurt Warner, a 2000s NFL MVP, played his college football at:
Iowa State University
Drake University
University of Northern Iowa
University of Iowa
Kurt Warner was the quarterback for Northern Iowa from 1989 to 1993. After going undrafted, he played in the Arena Football League before starring for the St. Louis Rams and earning two NFL MVP awards.
Michael Vick, known for his rushing ability at quarterback, attended:
University of Miami
University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
Florida State University
Michael Vick was the standout quarterback at Virginia Tech from 1999 to 2000, leading the Hokies to the national championship game in 1999. He became the first overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft due to his dual-threat play.
Which college did linebacker Ray Lewis attend before his Hall of Fame NFL career?
University of Florida
Louisiana State University
University of Miami (FL)
Florida State University
Ray Lewis was a dominant linebacker for the Miami Hurricanes from 1993 to 1995, earning All-American honors in his junior year before declaring for the NFL Draft, where he was selected second overall in 1996.
Champ Bailey, an 11-time Pro Bowler, played college football at:
University of Florida
Louisiana State University
University of Georgia
Florida State University
Champ Bailey was a star cornerback for the Georgia Bulldogs from 1996 to 1998, earning consensus All-American honors in 1998. He was drafted seventh overall by the Washington Redskins in 1999.
Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed attended which university?
Florida State University
University of Florida
Florida International University
University of Miami
Ed Reed was a standout safety at the University of Miami from 1998 to 2001, winning the Jack Tatum Award and earning consensus All-American status in 2001 before being drafted in the first round by the Ravens.
Which college did cornerback DeAngelo Hall attend?
North Carolina State University
University of Maryland
Virginia Tech
University of Virginia
DeAngelo Hall was a two-time All-America selection at Virginia Tech from 2000 to 2003, helping the Hokies reach the national championship game in 2000. He was drafted eighth overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 2004.
Reggie Bush won the Heisman at which university in 2005?
University of Oklahoma
University of Southern California
University of Texas
Louisiana State University
Reggie Bush was the electrifying tailback for USC from 2003 to 2005, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2005 (later vacated) and leading the Trojans to a national title.
Tony Romo, longtime Cowboys quarterback, played his college ball at:
Eastern Illinois University
Eastern Kentucky University
Northern Illinois University
Middle Tennessee State University
Tony Romo was a four-year starter at Eastern Illinois from 1999 to 2002, setting multiple school passing records before joining the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2003.
LaDainian Tomlinson won the Doak Walker Award at which university?
Texas Christian University
Texas A&M University
Texas Tech University
Baylor University
LaDainian Tomlinson was a two-time All-American at TCU from 1999 to 2000, winning the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back in 2000 before being drafted fifth overall in 2001.
Steve Smith Sr., wide receiver extraordinaire, played collegiately at:
Brigham Young University
Weber State University
University of Utah
Utah State University
Steve Smith Sr. was a dynamic receiver for the Utah Utes from 1997 to 2000, earning first-team All-Mountain West honors before being drafted in the third round by the Carolina Panthers in 2001.
Calvin Johnson, known as 'Megatron,' attended which tech school?
Georgia Institute of Technology
Clemson University
Florida State University
University of Georgia
Calvin Johnson was a standout at Georgia Tech from 2004 to 2006, earning unanimous All-American honors in 2006 before being drafted second overall by the Detroit Lions.
Larry Fitzgerald, one of the best receivers of the 2000s, played at:
Ohio State University
University of Wisconsin
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota
Larry Fitzgerald starred for the Wisconsin Badgers from 2002 to 2003, earning All-American honors in 2003 before being drafted third overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 2004.
Marshawn Lynch, nicknamed 'Beast Mode,' played college football at:
Stanford University
University of California, Berkeley
University of Southern California
University of California, Los Angeles
Marshawn Lynch was the starting running back for Cal from 2004 to 2006, earning All-Pac-10 honors before being drafted 12th overall by the Buffalo Bills in 2007.
Chad Johnson, later known as Chad Ochocinco, attended which university?
Washington State University
University of Washington
University of Oregon
Oregon State University
Chad Johnson was a standout wide receiver for Oregon State from 1997 to 2000, setting single-season school receiving records before signing as an undrafted free agent in 2001.
Andre Johnson, a Hall of Fame wideout, played at:
Florida State University
Auburn University
University of Miami
Louisiana State University
Andre Johnson was an All-American at the University of Miami from 2000 to 2002, helping the Hurricanes win the national championship in 2001 before being drafted third overall in 2003.
Marques Colston, prolific receiver for the Saints, attended which school?
University of Central Florida
Hofstra University
Rutgers University
Boston College
Marques Colston played wide receiver at Hofstra University from 2002 to 2005, setting multiple school records before being drafted in the seventh round by the New Orleans Saints in 2006.
Steven Jackson, star running back, played college football at:
University of Oregon
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Southern California
Oregon State University
Steven Jackson was the featured back at Oregon from 2001 to 2003, rushing for over 2,200 yards in his college career before being drafted in the first round by the St. Louis Rams in 2004.
Matt Ryan, MVP quarterback of the Falcons, was a standout at:
University of Miami
Syracuse University
University of Georgia
Boston College
Matt Ryan was the starting quarterback for Boston College from 2005 to 2007, throwing for over 10,000 yards and earning ACC Player of the Year honors before being drafted third overall in 2008.
Matt Hasselbeck, longtime Seahawks QB, attended which college?
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Boston College
Harvard University
Boston University
Matt Hasselbeck played quarterback at Boston College from 1994 to 1997, setting several school passing records before being drafted by the Packers in 1998 and later finding success in Seattle.
Brandon Marshall, known for his athleticism, played at:
University of Central Florida
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
Florida International University
Brandon Marshall was a standout wide receiver at UCF from 2002 to 2005, setting school receiving records before being drafted in the fourth round by the Denver Broncos in 2006.
DeSean Jackson, one of the fastest players in the league, attended:
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Southern California
University of Washington
DeSean Jackson was a star at Cal from 2005 to 2007, returning kicks and catching passes before being drafted in the second round by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008.
Jay Cutler, known for his strong arm, played college football at:
University of Memphis
Vanderbilt University
University of Mississippi
University of Kentucky
Jay Cutler was the quarterback for Vanderbilt from 2002 to 2005, setting multiple school passing records before being drafted 11th overall by the Denver Broncos in 2006.
Dwayne Bowe, a Pro Bowl receiver, attended:
University of Alabama
Louisiana State University
University of Florida
Clemson University
Dwayne Bowe was a standout at LSU from 2003 to 2006, helping the Tigers win the BCS national championship in 2003 before being drafted in the first round by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2007.
Future Hall of Fame tight end Antonio Gates attended which university?
Miami University (Ohio)
University of Akron
Ohio State University
Kent State University
Antonio Gates played basketball at Kent State from 1997 to 2000 before transitioning to football as an undrafted free agent. His athleticism helped him become one of the NFL's greatest tight ends with the San Diego Chargers.
Antonio Brown, one of the top receivers of the 2010s, played college ball at:
University of Cincinnati
Central Michigan University
Michigan State University
Indiana University
Antonio Brown was a standout receiver at Central Michigan from 2007 to 2009, setting multiple school receiving records before being drafted in the sixth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010.
Julian Edelman, known for his postseason heroics, played college football at:
Bowling Green State University
Eastern Michigan University
University of Toledo
Kent State University
Julian Edelman was a quarterback and wide receiver at Kent State from 2006 to 2009, where he set several passing and receiving records before joining the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2009.
Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez attended which college?
University of California, Los Angeles
Stanford University
University of California, Berkeley
University of Southern California
Tony Gonzalez was an All-Pac-10 tight end at Cal from 1994 to 1996, earning first-team All-American honors in 1996 before being drafted 13th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1997.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify NFL Stars' Alma Maters -

    Accurately name the colleges where prominent 2000s NFL players studied, boosting your recall of their formative years.

  2. Analyze College-to-Pro Pathways -

    Examine patterns in how college programs fed talent into the NFL, gaining insight into developmental trends of the era.

  3. Recall Iconic College Football Programs -

    Remember standout college teams that produced multiple NFL stars, reinforcing your knowledge of historic football powerhouses.

  4. Compare Program Success Rates -

    Contrast different college programs' NFL output by evaluating which campuses yielded the most professional talent.

  5. Apply Trivia Strategies -

    Leverage memory and deduction techniques to conquer NFL college trivia questions in this interactive quiz format.

  6. Engage in a Fun College Football Quiz -

    Challenge yourself with a lively 2000s NFL trivia quiz to sharpen your sports knowledge and entertain fellow fans.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Tom Brady - University of Michigan -

    Brady starred at Michigan from 1996 - 1999 before redefining NFL greatness in the 2000s, making him a staple of 2000s NFL trivia quizzes. Use the mnemonic "Brady Beats the Big Ten" to cement his Wolverines connection in your mind. NCAA records show he threw for over 4,300 yards and 30 touchdowns in college.

  2. Peyton Manning - University of Tennessee -

    Known as the "Volunteer Quarterback," Manning set SEC passing records at Tennessee from 1994 - 1997, a key fact for any NFL college trivia challenge. Visualize Peyton in orange and white to recall his Volunteer legacy quickly. ESPN archives list his 11 school records, including career passing yards and touchdowns.

  3. Randy Moss - Marshall University -

    Moss exploded onto the scene as a "Thundering Herd" standout from 1996 - 1997, making Marshall a popular answer in football trivia quizzes. Remember "MOSS = Marshall's Outstanding Speed Star" to link his name and alma mater effortlessly. Official NCAA stats show he averaged 22.6 yards per catch at Marshall.

  4. Ed Reed - University of Miami (FL) -

    Reed's playmaking at "The U" from 1998 - 2000 laid the foundation for his 2000s NFL Hall of Fame career, earning him a spot in many NFL college trivia questions. Associate Reed with Miami's iconic hurricane logo to lock in his college. The University of Miami records credit him with 11 interceptions and 184 tackles.

  5. Ben Roethlisberger - Miami University (OH) -

    Big Ben honed his skills at Miami (OH) from 2001 - 2003, fitting perfectly into any college football quiz focused on NFL stars. Use "The Cradle of Coaches" nickname to recall Miami's famed pedigree and Roethlisberger's roots. College archives highlight his 3,778 passing yards and 41 touchdowns during his senior year.

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