With the University of California Golden Bears now in the Atlantic Coast Conference starting in the 2024 college football season there has been some interesting back and forth on social media between fans of Cal and the Florida State Seminoles.
So it is time answer a question which school produces the best talent for the National Football League (NFL)? Obviously the Seminoles have had more success since the school became part of college football with a record of 545-259-16.
Florida State has 16 conference championships and three national titles. Heisman Trophy winners include Charlie Ward, Chris Weinke, and Jameis Winston. Also, there have been 38 All-Americans.
As for Cal there has been 13 conference championships and two national titles. Their overall record is 592-542-31. Yet no Heisman Trophy winners and there have been 27 All-Americans.
Obviously at the collegiate level, the Seminoles excel. At the NFL level is there a different story though? Here is a look between the two schools.
Offense:
Quarterbacks:
For Cal their no.1 quarterback is Aaron Rodgers followed by Jared Goff and Craig Morton. Overall these three quarterbacks which two are still currently playing have combined for 117,392 yards, 843 TDs and 374 interceptions.
When it comes to Florida State theirs is Brad Johnson and then Jameis Winston and Christian Ponder. Only one is still currently playing yet is no longer starting. Overall the three have combined for 57,816 yards, 345 TDs and 257 interceptions.
Advantage: California
Running Backs:
Cal has Marshawn Lynch, Chuck Muncie, Justin Forsett, and C.J. Anderson. These four running backs combined have 24,502 yards on 5,610 carries, with an average of 4.4 yards per carry, and 197 touchdowns.
Florida State has Warrick Dunn, Dalvin Cook, Marion Butts, and Devonta Freeman. One player is currently active though he had a down year in 2023. Overall these four running backs combined for 27,079 yards on 6,501 carries, which is an average of 4.2 yards per carry and 177 touchdowns.
Advantage: California has the slight edge based the yards per carry average and 20 more touchdowns on nearly 900 more attempts by Florida State running backs.
Full Backs:
Bears have Johnny Olszewski and Doug Mayberry. These two combined for 3,634 yards on 924 carries, for an average of 3.9 yards per carry, and 17 touchdowns.
Seminoles have Zack Crockett and William Floyd who combined for 2,842 yards on 865 carries, for an average of 3.3 yards per carry, and 56 touchdowns.
Advantage: Florida State
Wide Receivers:
California has Keenan Allen, Desean Jackson, Wesley Walker, Isaac Curtis, and Marvin Jones. These five receivers with once currently actively playing have combined for 44,621 yards on 2,946 catches, average yards per catch is 15.2, and 299 touchdowns.
Florida State has Anquan Boldin, Fred Biletnikoff, Laveranues Coles, Jessie Hester, and Javon Walker. Combined these five receivers had 2,979 catches for 41,223 yards, an average of 13.9 yards per reception, and 267 touchdowns.
Advantage: California
Tight Ends:
The Bears have Tony Gonzalez, Richard Rodgers, and Craig Stevens.
Thanks to Gonzalez, the trio who put up the majority of the numbers the three tight ends here combined for 1,533 receptions, 17,384 yards, an average of 11.4 yards per reception, and 132 touchdowns.
Seminoles have Tony Romeo, Zeke Mowatt, and Lonnie Johnson. These three combined for 5,165 yards on 415 receptions, which is an average of 12.5 yards per reception, and 28 touchdowns.
Advantage: California
Right Tackles:
For Cal there is Mitchell Schwartz and Lee Artoe, have combined for three Pro-Bowls and two All-Pro selections.
Florida State had Alex Barron and Menelik Watson who combined to start 99 games.
Advantage: California
Right Guards:
The Bears have the versatile Ed White who made four Pro-Bowls and started 210 games.
For the Seminoles Del Williams started 87 games.
Advantage: California
Centers:
For the Bears Alex Mack and the versatile Jeremy Newberry started 303 games and combined for nine Pro-Bowls.
The Seminoles have Rodney Hudson and Jamie Dukes who combined for 246 starts and three Pro-Bowls.
Advantage: California
Left Tackles:
California had Tarik Glenn and Todd Steussie who combined to start 339 games and combined for five Pro-Bowls.
Florida State had one of the best left tackles to play in the NFL in Walter Jones. He alone had nine Pro-Bowls and was a four time All-Pro while starting 180 games. Tra Thomas started 168 games and made three Pro-Bowls.
Advantage: Florida State
Left Guards:
The Bears have John Welbourn and Brian De La Puente who combined for 135 starts.
The Seminole have Montrae Holland and Milford Brown who combined for 107 starts.
Advantage: None
Defense:
Defensive Tackles
For California Chidi Ahanotu, Lorenzo Alexander, Tyson Alualu, and Brandon Mebane. The four combined for 123 sacks, 23 forced fumbles and 1,796 tackles.
Florida State has Darnell Dockett, Corey Simon, Orpheus Roye, and Timmy Jernigan. These four combined for 108.5 sacks, 22 forced fumbles, and 1,355 tackles.
Advantage: California
Defensive Ends/Outside Linebackers:
Cal has Cameron Jordan, Ken Harvey, Andre Carter, and Sherman White. These four combined for 350 sacks.
Florida State has Peter Boulware, Kamerion Wimbley, Brian Burns, and Josh Sweat are active in the NFL and so far the four have combined a total 204.5 sacks.
Advantage: California
Linebackers:
The Golden Bears have Hardy Nickerson, Gary Plummer, Les Richter, and Matt Hazeltine who combine for 15 Pro-Bowl selections and three All-Pros.
Florida State has Derrick Brooks, Lawrence Timmons, Marvin Jones, and Jesse Solomon who combined for 12 Pro-Bowl selections and five All-Pros.
Advantage: None
Cornerbacks:
Cal has Nnamdi Asomugha, Herm Edwards, Deltha O’Neal, and Anthony Washington. The four combined for 90 interceptions, five Pro-Bowls, and two All-Pro teams.
Deion Sanders, Antonio Cromartie, Jalen Ramsey and Terrell Buckley and the four combined for 156 interceptions and made 19 Pro-Bowls and 10 All-Pro teams.
Advantage: Florida State
Safeties:
The Bears have Camryn Bynum, Chris Conte, Thomas Decoud and Matt Giordano.
Bynum is currently active and had a solid season for the Minnesota Vikings. The four combined for 45 interceptions and a Pro-Bowl.
The Seminoles had LeRoy Butler, Dexter Jackson, Chris Hope, and Bud Whitehead. Combined the four had 90 interceptions and five Pro-Bowls and four All-Pros.
Advantage: Seminoles
Special Teams:
Punter:
Cal has Bryan Anger who is still playing. He averages 46.8 yards per punt and has made two Pro-Bowls.
Florida State has Rohn Stark who averaged 43.4 yards per punt, made four Pro-Bowls and an All-Pro team.
Advantage: California
Kicker:
For the Bears, Ryan Longwell made 83.2 percent of his field goals with a career-long of 55.
One of most surprising first round selections in NFL history Sebastian Janikowski had a long career in the NFL. His career-long was 63 yards and he made 80.4 percent of his kicks.
Advantage: Florida State
Overall California has the advantage at quarterback, running back, tight end, right tackle, right guard, center, defensive tackles, defensive ends/outside linebackers, and punter. At left guard and linebackers neither team has an advantage, and Florida State has the advantage at fullback, left tackle, cornerback, safety, and kicker.
Overall advantage: California