Eric Kendricks the lone UCLA football alumni to make NFL Top 100 Players of 2021

Kenny Clark, Myles Jack, Anthony Barr and others were left off the player-voted list

With over 30 former Bruins playing in the NFL, only one has been recognized by his peers as one of the best in the game.

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks came in at No. 70 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021 list, which is voted on by players every offseason. Kendricks moved up from No. 83 in 2020, his first appearance on the list.

The former UCLA football linebacker racked up three interceptions and 107 tackles last season despite playing just 11 games, the fourth season in a row he's broken the 100-tackle threshold. The only season Kendricks didn't surpass 100 tackles was his rookie year back in 2014, when he only played in 14 games and started 11.

Here is what NFL.com had to say about Kendricks' play style and production in recent years:

Between monitoring the middle of the field, defending tight ends and stuffing the run game, Kendricks does a bit of everything for the Vikings. He was producing at the highest clip of his career before a calf injury sidelined him for the final five games of the season. A struggling Minnesota defense caved in his absence. It’s expected to rebound this year in part because of him. Only a few inside linebackers have been better than Kendricks in recent years, and he’s just as important to his team’s defensive success.

Notably absent from the Top 100 Players list were Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Kenny Clark, Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr, Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack, Tennessee Titans linebacker Jayon Brown and Atlanta Falcons cornerback Fabian Moreau.

There have now been 11 renditions of the NFL Top 100 Players list, and only two Bruins have made the cut. For a total of 1100 slots, five have been held by UCLA alumni, or essentially one every other year.

In addition to Kendricks' No. 83 ranking in 2020 and No. 70 ranking in 2021, running back Maurice Jones-Drew was No. 30 in 2011, No. 12 in 2012 and No. 98 in 2013.

Tight end Marcedes Lewis was a Pro Bowler in 2010, recording career highs in yards with 700 and touchdowns with 10, but he didn't make the inaugural list in 2011. Cornerback Alteraun Verner put up a Pro Bowl campaign in 2013 after picking off five passes and leading the NFL with 22 passes defended, but he didn't make the 2014 list – kicking off a six-year drought of no Bruins earning a spot.

Special teams ace Matthew Slater has been a Pro Bowler in each of the last 10 seasons for the New England Patriots, but he has yet to make the Top 100 Players list either.

The NFL regular season kicks off

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