When there are no more Hotty Toddys to be sung and the Grove empties for the final time each November, the men of the Ole Miss football program are faced with an arduous decision: Hang up the cleats or pursue football on the world’s largest stage. For the overwhelming majority of collegiate athletes, the former prevails. Only 1.6 percent of college football players land in the NFL, and a significantly smaller portion carve out careers playing professionally.
As the first snap of the 2018 NFL season passes through the center’s legs, 24 former Rebels will suit up on active NFL rosters.