How Many Players Are On A College Football Team?

When you watch a college football game, the sheer volume of players on a team’s sideline is massive. Those just getting into college football often ask how many players are on a college football team.

Here’s a full explanation of how many players are on a college football team. Read below to see the average number of players each team has and why the number of players is so large.

How Many Players Are on a College Football Team? 

Let’s go ahead and answer the question of how many players are on a college football team. Depending on the size of the program and their funding, a college football team can have between 85 to 100+ players. 

Of those 85 to 100 players, there are typically 60 to 70 players on the active rosters The number of scholarships offered will also play a factor in how many players are on a college football team.

This number also includes walk-ons, depending on how many are allowed on each team per season.

Why is the Number of Players on Each Team so High?

There’s a reason why there are so many players on each college football team. Football is a high-risk game where injuries will happen.

Each position must have between 2-4 backups in case of injuries, academic ineligibility, and player misconduct. Every college football team must be prepared for the worst and have players ready to play each week.

The Depth Chart of Each Position

The 70-100+ players on each college football team are spread out on depth charts between the offense, defense, and special teams. Here is how the depth charts of each college football team commonly look.

Offensive Players Depth Chart 

There are 11 players permitted to be on the offense at any given time. Here is the list of offensive positions and their backups.

• Quarterback(QB): The quarterback position usually consists of a starter, 2nd string backup, and 3rd string backup in case of emergency.
• Running Back(RB): Starter(first string), backup(2nd string), 3rd string, and practice squad.
• Wide Receivers(WR): There are 2 to 4 wide receivers depending on the team’s offensive scheme. After the 2 to 4 starters, there are 1 to 2 backups for each of their positions.
• Fullback(FB): Starter and backup.
• Tight End(TE): 1 to 2 starters and a backup for each starter.
• Offensive Line(OL): Each offense has a center, left tackle, right tackle, left guard, and right guard. College football teams usually have 1 to 2 backups for each O-line position.

Defensive Players Depth Chart 

Just like the offensive side of the ball, there are 11 players permitted to be on the field. Here’s the list of defensive players on a college football team and their depth charts.

• Defensive Line: Teams run either a 3 or 4 defensive line front with 2 defensive ends(DEs) and 2 tackles(DTs). For each of those positions, a team will have 1 to 2 backups ready in case of injury.
• Linebackers(LBs): College football teams will have 3 to 4 linebackers depending on their scheme. For each of the starters, there will be 1 to 2 backups behind them.
• Cornerbacks(CBs): Two cornerbacks for both sides with 1 to backups behind them.
• Safeties(S): The free safety and strong safety play behind the defense. Teams have 1 to 2 backups for each safety position.

Special Teams Depth Chart

The special teams also consist of 11 players on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Here are the positions, excluding the offensive and defensive linemen already mentioned.

• Kicker(K): The kicker kicks the kickoffs, field goals, and extra points. Each team usually has at least one backup to the starting kicker. 
• Punter(P): The punter kicks the ball on fourth downs. There’s usually a backup for each starting punter.
• Long Snapper(LS): The long snapper comes in to take the place of the normal center on punts, extra points, and field goals. Each team might have a backup long snapper.
• Kick Returner: Each college football team may have 1-2 kick returners. This player may also be a WR or RB who plays multiple positions.

Walk-Ons & Practice Squad

Aside from the active players on a college football team, there are also practice squad and walk-on players.

Walk-ons 

Walk-ons are players who make the team through open tryouts that teams might hold to fill positions. These players are not offered athletic aid, but a scholarship can be earned for future seasons, depending on their play.

Practice Squad

Practice squad players are the players who aren’t on the active roster, but partake in team practices. They play a vital part in preparing the starters for each upcoming game. Players on the practice squad may also be called up to the active roster in case of injuries.