Rutgers has more ex-players in Super Bowl than any other school

Rutgers has been on the wrong end of relentless jokes over the past few seasons for its play on the field, but it will have something to boast about for the next two weeks.

The Scarlet Knights will have five former players in Super Bowl LI between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons - more than any other school.

Not even Alabama and LSU can compare.

Patriots safeties Devin McCourty and Duron Harmon, corner Logan Ryan, and linebacker Jonathan Freeny all went to Rutgers, as did Falcons receiver Mohamed Sanu.

"I think it shows that you don't necessarily have to chase a logo to make it in the NFL," Rutgers head coach Chris Ash told Steve Politi of NJ.com. "I'm very excited for those players and proud of the way they represent Rutgers."

Those players aren't just along for the ride, either. New England's trio of defensive backs each have an interception in the postseason, while Sanu has two touchdown catches during the Falcons' Super Bowl run.

Rutgers went 2-10 this season and was shut out four times. The team suffered through a horrible stretch in Big Ten play, losing every game, including back-to-back defeats to Ohio State and Michigan, against whom they were outscored a combined 136-0, as well as Michigan State and Penn State (88-0).