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275 voters

The Best NFL Players From North Carolina

Updated October 9, 2019 2.7k votes 275 voters 8.0k views59 items

List RulesVote up the top pro football players born or raised in North Carolina

Here's a list of the best NFL players from North Carolina! Whether they're from Charlotte, Raleigh, or even Greensboro, football players from North Carolina have left their stamp on the NFL. Even some of the players from the Tar Heel state who aren't in the Hall of Fame yet have proven to be some of the best football players of all time.

Vote for who you think are the top NFL players from North Carolina and add any of your favorites missing from the list!

1
168
28
Julius Peppers
Wilson, North Carolina
Position: Defensive end
Age: 35
Teams: North Carolina Tar Heels football, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers
Julius Frazier Peppers (born January 18, 1980) is a former American football defensive end. He... more
2
109
21
Torry Holt
Gibsonville, North Carolina
Age: 44
Teams: NC State Wolfpack football, St. Louis Rams, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars
Torry Jabar Holt (born June 5, 1976) is a former professional American football player who was... more
3
110
23
Keenan Allen
Greensboro, North Carolina
Position: Wide receiver
Age: 28
Teams: Los Angeles Chargers
Keenan Alexander Allen (born April 27, 1992) is an American football wide receiver for the Los... more
4
96
27
Jimmy Graham
Goldsboro, North Carolina
Position: Tight end
Age: 29
Teams: Green Bay Packers
Jimmy Graham (born November 24, 1986) is an American football tight end for the Green Bay... more
5
66
18
Jaire Alexander
Charlotte, North Carolina
Jaire Zakar Alexander is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the... more
6
71
24
Mario Williams
Richlands, North Carolina
Position: Outside Linebacker, Defensive end
Age: 35
Teams: NC State Wolfpack football, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans
Mario Jerrel Williams (born January 31, 1985) is a former American football defensive end. He... more
7
73
28
Tarik Cohen
Bunn, North Carolina
Position: Running back
Age: 25
Teams: Chicago Bears
Tarik Cohen (born July 26, 1995) is an American football running back for the Chicago Bears of... more
8
64
23
Dwight Clark
Kinston, North Carolina
Position: Tight end, Wide receiver
Age: 63
Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Clemson Tigers football
Dwight Edward Clark (January 8, 1957 – June 4, 2018) was an American football wide receiver ... more
9
58
21
Bruce Matthews
Raleigh, North Carolina
Position: Tackle, Guard, Center
Age: 59
Teams: Tennessee Titans
Bruce Rankin Matthews (born August 8, 1961) is a former American football offensive lineman... more
10
49
17
Jack Tatum
Cherryville, North Carolina
Position: Safety, Defensive back
Age: Died at 62 (1948-2010)
Teams: Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders, Ohio State Buckeyes football
John David Tatum (November 18, 1948 – July 27, 2010) was an American football safety who... more
11
41
14
Willie Parker
Clinton, North Carolina
Position: Running back
Age: 39
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins, North Carolina Tar Heels football
William Everett Parker Jr. (born November 11, 1980) is a former American football running back... more
12
41
14
Dwight Stephenson
Murfreesboro, North Carolina
Position: Center
Dwight Eugene Stephenson (born November 20, 1957) is a former professional American football... more
13
43
18
Sonny Jurgensen
Wilmington, North Carolina
Position: Quarterback
Age: 81
Teams: Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles
Christian Adolph Jurgensen III (born August 23, 1934), known better as Sonny Jurgensen, is a... more

14
40
15
Adrian Wilson
High Point, North Carolina
Position: Safety
Age: 40
Teams: NC State Wolfpack football, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots
Adrian Lemar Wilson (born on October 12, 1979) is a former American football safety. He played... more
15
37
15
Carl Eller
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Position: Defensive end, Defensive lineman
Age: 73
Teams: Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings
Carl Eller (born January 25, 1942) is a former professional American football player in the... more
16
36
14
Cortland Finnegan
Fayettevill, North Carolina
Position: Cornerback, Defensive back
Age: 36
Teams: Samford Bulldogs, St. Louis Rams, Tennessee Titans
Cortland Temujin Finnegan (born February 2, 1984) is a former American football cornerback. He... more
17
37
17
Bobby Bell
Shelby, North Carolina
Position: Defensive end, Linebacker, Defensive lineman
Age: 75
Bobby Lee Bell Sr (born June 17, 1940) is a former professional American football linebacker... more
18
31
10
Mike Quick
Hamlet, North Carolina
Position: Wide receiver
Age: 56
Michael Anthony Quick (born May 14, 1959) is a former American football wide receiver. He... more
19
29
13
Haywood Jeffires
Greensboro, North Carolina
Position: Wide receiver
Age: 55
Haywood Franklin Jeffires (pronounced "Jeffries"; born December 12, 1964) is a former... more
20
27
10
Natrone Means
Harrisburg, North Carolina
Position: Running back
Age: 48
Teams: Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, San Diego Chargers
Natrone Jermaine Means (born April 26, 1972) is a former professional American Football... more
21
32
19
Bruce Carter
Havelock, North Carolina
Position: Linebacker
Age: 32
Teams: Dallas Cowboys
Bruce Edward Carter (born February 19, 1988) is an American football linebacker that is... more
22
24
10
Yancey Thigpen
Tarboro, North Carolina
Position: Wide receiver
Age: 51
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers
Yancey Dirk Thigpen (born August 15, 1969) is a former professional American football wide... more
23
24
12
Roman Gabriel
Wilmington, North Carolina
Position: Quarterback
Age: 75
Teams: Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles
Roman Ildonzo Gabriel Jr. (born August 5, 1940) is a former American football player. He... more

24
27
17
Leonard Little
Asheville, North Carolina
Position: Defensive end
Age: 45
Teams: St. Louis Rams
Leonard Antonio Little (born October 19, 1974) is a former American football defensive end for... more
25
20
9
Jethro Pugh
Windsor, North Carolina
Position: Defensive tackle, Tackle, Defensive lineman
Age: 76
Jethro Pugh Jr. (July 3, 1944 – January 7, 2015) was an American football defensive tackle in... more