College basketball stars in the NFL NFL.com March 23 2014As college basketball's playoff tournament commences, take a trip down memory lane in this list of former college hoopsters who parlayed their basketball skills into a career in the NFL.
Steve Cannon/Associated Press 11...Jimmy Graham: MiamiBefore he was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2010, TE Jimmy Graham had only played one season of football at Miami, but spent four years on the basketball team and went to the NCAA Tournament in 2008 and 2009.
George Widman/Associated Press 10...Donovan McNabb: SyracuseQuarterback Donovan McNabb played two seasons as a reserve guard at Syracuse.
Tom Strattman/Associated Press 9...Antwaan Randle El: IndianaA former WR for the Steelers and Redskins, Antwaan Randle El played one season for the Indiana Hoosiers basketball team. 
Steve Nesius/Associated Press 8...Connor Barwin: CincinnatiPhiladelphia Eagles DE Connor Barwin played for the Cincinnati Bearcats from 2005-2007.
Tim Roske/Associated Press 7..Terrell Owens: Tennessee-ChattanoogaWide receiver Terrell Owens played basketball at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and also had a brief career in the United States Basketball League with the Adirondack Wildcats in 2002. 
John Bazemore/Associated Press 6...Tony Gonzalez: CaliforniaAtlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez averaged 6.8 points per game with the California Golden Bears and advanced to the Sweet 16 in the 1997 NCAA Tournament. 
Chuck Burton/Associated Press 5...Julius Peppers: North CarolinaBefore he was drafted second overall by the Carolina Panthers, DE Julius Peppers averaged 7.1 points per game for the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Ed Reinke/Associated Press 4...Antonio Gates: Kent StateSan Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates was a standout forward at Kent State, where he led his team to the Elite Eight in the 2002 NCAA Tournament.
Chris Donahue/Associated Press 3.....Vincent Jackson, Northern ColoradoVincent Jackson is now known as a high-flying wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he also utilized his vertical leap as a forward at Northern Colorado, earning Division I All-Independent second-team honors in 2004.
Pat Sullivan/Associated Press 2....Martellus Bennett, Texas A&MBefore Martellus Bennett was a threat down the middle as a tight end for the Chicago Bears, he was a force in the middle as a backup post player for two seasons at Texas A&M.
Colin E. Braley/Associated Press 1.............Julius Thomas, Portland StateFor four seasons, Julius Thomas roamed the hardwood for Portland State, leading the Vikings to their first two NCAA Tournament berths in school history in 2008 and 2009. The current Denver Broncos tight end also concluded his basketball career as the program's all-time leader in field goal percentage (.663).
