NFL Ranking: Nelson, Matthews Among Top Walk-Ons Playing in the NFL

Wednesday was national signing day for high school football players committing to colleges across the nation.

In honor of the occasion, NFL.com released a list of the top 10 active players in the NFL who began their careers as former walk-ons, and two members of the Green Bay Packers made the cut.

Wide receiver Jordy Nelson ranked No. 3 on the countdown, behind only Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown.

From writer Mike Huguenin:

He was a quarterback and defensive back at a small Kansas high school and walked on at K-State in 2003 as a safety. He redshirted that season, then didn't play a down in 2004. He moved to wide receiver in 2005 spring practice, earning a scholarship in the process, and his career took off. He was drafted in the second round by the Packers in 2008.

Linebacker Clay Matthews checked in at No. 4 overall.

Perhaps on future editions of the list will be wide receiver Jared Abbrederis, who was the Burlsworth Award winner in 2013, given to the nation's best college football player that began his career as a walk-on.

Abbrederis was drafted by the Packers in the fifth round this past year but spent the season on injured reserve after tearing his ACL in training camp.

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Comments (1)

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

February 05, 2015 at 03:55 pm

These two have really gone to the top. I watched some of Jordy Nelsons games since I am in the area. He was something then, I said boy would be neat to see him in a Packers uniform. I guess I saw the raw talent also, its fun to see it happen.

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