The hire got Yardbarker thinking: Which other current NFL players would be ideal GMs for their alma maters?
Presumably, they must be wealthy, influential and have sharp business acumen to deal with NIL (name, image and likeness) and an ability to spot talent. With that in mind, here are 10 players who belong in the front offices of their universities:
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes | Texas Tech
Three-time Super Bowl champion Mahomes is already one of Texas Tech’s biggest donors. In August 2024, he gifted $5M to a $242M renovation of the south end zone at Jones AT&T Stadium and the Dustin R. Womble Football Center.
He also has invested in other sports franchises, including the Kansas City Royals of MLB, Sporting Kansas City of the MLS and Alpine’s Formula 1 team.
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen | Wyoming
Wyoming went 3-9 in 2024. Perhaps Allen would give the program the boost it clearly needs. He certainly has enough money to support the Cowboys’ NIL (name, image and likeness) efforts.
In March, the 2024 MVP signed a six-year, $330M contract extension, with $250M guaranteed. He has endorsement deals with several brands, including Nike, Pepsi, New Era and Anheuser-Busch.
Dallas Cowboys edge-rusher Micah Parsons | Penn State
Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley (a former Penn State star) could be a good choice here, but Parsons seems more willing to embrace the spotlight. The two-time first-team All-Pro hosts an in-season podcast with Bleacher Report and is active on his social media platforms.
Parsons’ personality could help him schmooze with boosters and drum up support for more NIL donations, which the Nittany Lions need to win their first national title since the 1986 season.
Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson | LSU
Jefferson is one of the more prominent players in the NFL, boasting 1.8 million followers on Instagram. Combine his popularity with his stellar career at LSU, and that would make him a great fit for the Tigers.
The Louisiana native played a key role for LSU when it won a national championship during the 2019 season, recording 111 receptions for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdown catches in 15 games.
San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey | Stanford
McCaffrey was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 for sports for 2025. (This list highlights 600 individuals having a significant financial impact across various industries.) Of course, the RB signed a two-year, $38M extension in 2024 and is sponsored by Bodyarmor, Uber Eats and Visa.
McCaffrey is, perhaps, the best RB in Stanford history. In three seasons with the Cardinal, he finished third in program history in rushing yards (3,922) and tied for 11th in rushing TDs (21).
Pittsburgh Steelers edge-rusher T.J. Watt | Wisconsin
Watt has earned four first-team All-Pro nods in eight seasons with the Steelers and ranks sixth among active players in sacks (108), via Pro Football Reference.
More importantly, Watt’s family has deep ties to the Badgers. His oldest brother, future Hall of Famer J.J., starred at defensive end for Wisconsin from 2009-10. Meanwhile, his other brother, Derek, played fullback/linebacker for Wisconsin from 2012-15.
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson | Louisville
Jackson has tossed 166 TD passes and rushed for 33 in seven seasons with the Ravens. His exciting playing style could be one reason he’s among the league’s more popular players. The two-time MVP has 1.2 million followers on his X account and 3.6 million on his Instagram. Jackson, who negotiated his own contract, also has stellar business acument.
“He was able to reap the benefit of changing market conditions by being patient,” former agent Joel Corry wrote for CBS Sports after Jackson signed a five-year, $260M deal with the Ravens (h/t Spotrac) in 2023.
With Jackson as GM, the Cardinals could vault to the next level. Louisville has made two bowls in two seasons under head coach Jeff Brohm but hasn’t won an ACC championship.
San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle | Iowa
In eight seasons with the 49ers, six-time Pro Bowler Kittle has 7,380 receiving yards, the third most in franchise history behind Terrell Owens and Jerry Rice. As the Hawkeyes GM, he could help them continue to churn out star TEs.
In 2021, Kittle, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs and former Carolina Panthers star Greg Olsen founded Tight End University, a three-day program for TEs to hone their skills. Stars like T.J. Hockenson of the Minnesota Vikings and Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions have attended it.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield | Oklahoma
Adding Mayfield could convince Oklahoma boosters to give the school more NIL donations. In three seasons with the Sooners, the QB won the 2017 Heisman and carried the team to two College Football Playoff appearances. The 2018 No. 1 pick also has a deep love for his school.
“It doesn’t feel right to call this a goodbye because I was a Sooner long before I enrolled at OU, and I’ll be a Sooner long after my playing days are over,” wrote Mayfield in a story published in The Players’ Tribune in March 2018.
Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott | Mississippi State
Prescott hasn’t won a Super Bowl in nine seasons in Dallas but has made plenty of cash. Per Spotrac’s estimations, he has earned $248.58M, the fifth most among active NFL players. That figure doesn’t include his endorsement deals with Sleep Number and Nike.
Prescott would probably be willing to spur fundraising efforts for the Bulldogs, as he still seems fond of the program.
“[Mississippi State] has been home to me since I came here at 17 years old,” Prescott told Joel Coleman of the team website in April 2023.
