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10 best undrafted college football players who made it in the NFL

By Jerran Anderson

Sep 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; St. Louis Rams autographed jersey of Kurt Warner (13) at Los Angeles Rams kickoff for charity luncheon at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; St. Louis Rams autographed jersey of Kurt Warner (13) at Los Angeles Rams kickoff for charity luncheon at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) catches a pass as Tampa Bay Buccaneers middle linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) defends during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) catches a pass as Tampa Bay Buccaneers middle linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) defends during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Antonio Gates, TE, Kent State

Tight end Antonio Gates went undrafted out of Kent State University in 2003. He didn’t play football in college, but instead he was a basketball star that turned into a tight end once his career was over.

Gates averaged 18.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals in two seasons on the Kent State basketball squad, a team that made the Elite Eight in 2002. He originally attended Eastern Michigan and Michigan State before attending Kent State in 2001.

Following in the footsteps of Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez, Gates made the conversion from basketball player to NFL tight end. Following a workout, he was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent following the 2013 NFL Draft.

Related Story: Ranking the 10 best small school QBs of all time

Since then, Gates has been selected to eight Pro Bowls with the Chargers. He has caught 897 receptions for 11,192 receiving yards and 111 receiving touchdowns. Gates is currently the active leader in career touchdowns and the Chargers all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

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