How Many College Football Players Are There? 2025 Stats

By Sarah Miller · August 7, 2038

There are approximately 80,000 college football players in the United States across NCAA, NAIA, and junior colleges, with over 73,000 competing at the NCAA level alone in 2024.

Understanding the Scope of College Football Participation

College football in the U.S. is one of the most popular amateur sports, drawing tens of thousands of athletes annually. The sport is governed by multiple organizations, primarily the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), which accounts for the majority of players. Additional participants compete under the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) and NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association).

Key Governing Bodies in College Football

NCAA: Divided into three divisions (FBS, FCS, D-II, D-III), offering structured competition and scholarships.
NAIA: Smaller institutions with athletic scholarships; independent from the NCAA.
NJCAA: Two-year community and junior colleges, often serving as a pathway to four-year programs.

NCAA Football Player Breakdown by Division

The NCAA reports official participation numbers annually. As of the 2023–2024 academic year, football remains the largest men’s sport in terms of athlete participation.

NCAA Division	Number of Teams	Average Roster Size	Estimated Players
FBS (Division I-A)	133	125	16,625
FCS (Division I-AA)	128	110	14,080
Division II	169	100	16,900
Division III	248	95	23,560
Total NCAA	678	—	71,165

Table data source:1, 2

The table shows that Division III has the highest number of teams and total players, despite not offering athletic scholarships. FBS and FCS programs have smaller rosters but higher visibility and scholarship availability. The average roster size varies significantly by division due to scholarship limits and program resources.

Additional College Football Programs Outside the NCAA

Beyond the NCAA, thousands more student-athletes participate in college football through other associations.

NAIA Football Participation

Approximately 90 NAIA schools sponsor football.
Average roster: 90 players.
Total estimated players: ~8,100.

NJCAA Football Programs

About 65 active junior college football programs.
Average roster: 85 players.
Total estimated players: ~5,525.

When combining NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA figures, the total number of college football players in the U.S. reaches approximately 80,000. These athletes range from elite FBS recruits to developmental players at two-year institutions.

Trends and Insights in College Football Rosters

Several trends influence player counts and roster composition:

Scholarship Limits: FBS teams can offer up to 85 full scholarships, while FCS allows 63 equivalency scholarships, affecting roster depth.
Transfer Portal Growth: Increased player movement impacts roster sizes and recruitment strategies.
Medical Redshirts & Eligibility: Extended eligibility due to pandemic rules temporarily inflated rosters in 2023.
Emergence of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL): NIL deals attract more athletes to remain in college football longer.

Frequently Asked Questions About College Football Players

How many Division I college football players are there?

There are approximately 30,705 Division I college football players, including 16,625 in FBS and 14,080 in FCS programs.

What percentage of high school football players go on to play in college?

About 6.5% of high school seniors who play football will compete at any level of college football, with only 3% playing NCAA Division I.

How many players are typically on a college football roster?

Roster sizes vary by division: FBS teams average 125 players, FCS 110, D-II 100, D-III 95, NAIA 90, and NJCAA 85.

Do all college football players receive scholarships?

No. Only NCAA FBS and FCS, along with NAIA, offer athletic scholarships. Division III and many NJCAA schools do not provide athletic-based financial aid.