When you watch football, it’s clear that the players not only have incredible athletic ability but also a solid understanding of the game. But how do they stack up in intelligence off the field? Many NFL players not only dominate on game day but also excel in academics—and they have college degrees to show for it. Balancing the pressures of sports and studies isn’t always easy, but these athletes have proven it’s possible. Keep reading to learn about some of the smartest NFL players.
How is Intelligence Measured in the NFL?
Measuring intelligence is something that has been often debated, as there are plenty of ways to do it—like GPA, standardized test scores, IQ tests, and more. There was a point in time when the NFL used a tool called the Wonderlic Contemporary Cognitive Ability Test (commonly referred to as the Wonderlic Test) to evaluate problem-solving and cognitive skills in players in only 12 minutes.
This test, introduced in 1936, became a part of the NFL Scouting Combine in the late 1960s. It scored participants from 1-50, with an average score of 20 among football players. However, the NFL moved away from using the Wonderlic Test in 2022.
Now, since this test isn’t used anymore, creating these rankings of intelligence requires a deeper dive into the players’ GPAs, standardized test scores, and IQ tests.
10 of the Smartest NFL Players
Here are 10 NFL athletes who are living proof that it’s possible to thrive academically and still pursue their sports dreams:
1. Ryan Fitzpatrick
Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick announced his retirement from the NFL in June 2022 after being the starting quarterback for a whopping nine teams—the most in NFL history. But did you know that “FitzMagic” actually graduated from Harvard with a degree in economics? During his college career, he was named Ivy Player of the Year and the winner of the George H. ”Bulger” Lowe Award. Fitzpatrick also led Harvard to a 10-0 record and won the Ivy League Championship.
Although there were rumors that he had received a perfect score of 50 on the Wonderlic Test, it was, in fact, a 48—which is still extremely impressive and actually a three-way tie for the highest reported score. Fitzpatrick would be drafted by the St. Louis Rams and go on to a 17-year run in the NFL, retiring after a season with the Washington Football Team.
2. Benjamin Watson
Benjamin Watson was a tight end in the NFL, most notably with the New England Patriots. Drafted in 2004 in the first round, Watson had also received a 48 on the Wonderlic Test. Before Watson became an NFL player, he played football at Duke University after being accepted for his academic record. He would later transfer to the University of Georgia and major in finance. A fun fact about Benjamin Watson is that he wrote a memoir entitled “Under Our Skin” that talks about race relations, his intelligence, and overcoming stereotypes.
3. Byron “Whizzer” White
Traveling back in time a bit, we come to Byron “Whizzer” White, who played as a halfback for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1938 and Detroit Lions in 1940 and 1941. Prior to his short NFL career, he played for the Colorado Buffaloes and graduated as the class valedictorian. Between NFL seasons, he earned a Rhodes Scholarship and studied at Oxford.
With the outbreak of World War II, White joined the Navy—serving as an intelligence officer and earning two Bronze Stars for his service. After the war, he attended Yale Law School and graduated magna cum laude. Later he was named to the U.S. Supreme Court by President John F. Kennedy and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003 after his death in 2002.
4. Alan Page
Alan Page was an impressive defensive tackle who, after graduating with his bachelor’s from the University of Notre Dame, played with the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears between 1967 and 1981. A Hall of Famer, Page would play in four Super Bowls and study law at the University of Minnesota at the same time. Page graduated with a Juris Doctor in 1978 and was later appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court in 1992.
5. Pat Haden
Before playing for the Los Angeles Rams from 1976-1981, quarterback Pat Haden received a Rhodes Scholarship, graduated magna cum laude, played at the University of Southern California, attended Oxford, and earned his law degree from Loyola. Haden practiced law between 1982 and 1987 and was a partner at a law firm from 1987 to 2010. The quarterback had a 27-7 record as a starter during his first three seasons but was unable to continue playing after breaking his finger.
6. Aaron Rodgers
Before making himself known as one of the most popular quarterbacks in the NFL, Aaron Rodgers began his collegiate career at Butte Community College. His performance both academically and athletically earned him a spot on the team at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in American Studies. Rodgers has played with the Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets, is a Super Bowl champion, and a four-time league MVP.
7. Carson Wentz
Carson Wentz was a second-round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016. But before that, he was playing at North Dakota State University where he graduated with a 4.0 GPA in health and physical education, earning recognition as the NCAA Division I Academic All-American of the Year.
On top of that, he scored an impressive 40 on the Wonderlic Test. Wentz isn’t just an NFL player with a Super Bowl win under his belt, but he also has a heart for giving back. In 2017, he launched the AO1 Foundation (Audience of One) to help underprivileged youth, veterans, and individuals with physical disabilities.
8. Pat McInally
Drafted in the fifth round by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1975, McInally spent his entire 10-year career with the team. He was a star player at Harvard University, where he earned All-American honors and led Harvard to the 1974 Ivy League Title. Not only was he a star punter throughout college, but he also graduated cum laude and was named a NFF National Scholar.
He’s also the only verified NFL player to ever score a perfect 50 on the Wonderlic Test. After his life in football, McInally went on to found Good Sports For Life, an organization dedicated to improving kids’ experiences in athletics.
8. Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning is known as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history after spending over 18 years with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos. He holds a record five NFL MVP awards, two Super Bowl rings, 14 Pro Bowl selections, and several all-time passing records in a single season. His legendary football IQ started long before his NFL days—at the University of Tennessee.
He not only broke records on the field but also excelled in the classroom. Manning was elected to both the Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Beta Kappa societies in 1997. He also received the National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete Award. He completed his degree in just three years, earning a bachelor’s degree in communication.
9. John Urschel
John Urschel is not only a former NFL player but also a mathematician. Before getting drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2014, he played college football at Penn State. Urschel holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from Penn State, as well as a PhD in mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics at MIT. Though he only played in the NFL for three years, he was immediately appointed to the College Football Playoff selection committee in 2020, where he served for three years.
10. Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020 and became the team’s starting quarterback in the second game of his rookie year. In just four years, Herbert already holds several rookie records—including the most touchdown passes and the most 300-yard games.
Herbert attended Oregon State University for all four years and graduated with a degree in biology. He was the 30th recipient of the William V. Campbell Trophy which recognizes excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership.
These are just 10 of the most intelligent NFL players—but there are dozens more! While it’s exciting to follow along with these players on the field, it’s also just as exciting to see what they do with their careers after they retire from the game. Success isn’t limited to just the game and these players are living proof.
Love playing sports? Even if you can’t play professionally, many colleges offer club sports for their students where you don’t have to be the best of the best to play! Start with our College Match tool to find the best school for you.
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