Many college football players have a dream of one day playing in the NFL, so which 25 schools would give the best shot at that dream?
College football may be littered with student-athletes who will go on to do anything except play football for the rest of their lives, but for a small percentage of players, the NFL is a very real dream.
Those who are on the path to becoming NFL players will likely choose a school for two main reasons – can they win a national championship there, and will playing there help them on their way to the NFL.
While being drafted is no guarantee you’ll make a roster spot, it’s the first step in making a professional football career a reality. Being selected in the first round means a higher initial payday for the potential draft pick, and some schools produce those first-rounders in abundance.
You want to play on Sundays? Here are 25 schools with the most all-time NFL and AFL draft picks as of the completion of the 2016 NFL Draft. Included are every first overall pick from that school (USC and Notre Dame tied for the most with five each), notable first round picks, and even some busts.
(All stats via drafthistory.com, ESPN.com and NCAA.com)
Next: Noles
First Overall Picks: Jameis Winston (2015)
Other Notable First Round Picks: Antonio Cromartie (2006), Sebastian Janikowski (2000), Peter Boulware (1997), Warrick Dunn (1997), Derrick Brooks (1995), Terrell Buckley (1992), Deion Sanders (1989), Bobby Butler (1981)
It’s not surprising that Florida State is on this list, however, it is a bit surprising how low they landed. With all the national championship teams and all the talent which game through during the Bobby Bowden years, it would seem there would have been more draft picks.
Beyond some of those first rounders listed above, the Seminoles have had some great names come out of the later rounds as well. Most recently, Atlanta Falcons fourth-round pick Devonta Freeman looks to be one of the big steals of the 2014 draft.
The biggest draft classes for the Seminoles came in 2015 and 2013, both years sending 11 players on to the NFL.
One of the biggest first round busts in FSU history would have to be defensive end Derrick Alexander, who was taken with the 11th overall pick in 1995, and played very brief and uneventful five-year NFL career.
Next: Hogs
First Overall Picks: None
Other Notable First Round Picks: Darren McFadden (2008), Felix Jones (2008), Matt Jones (2005), Steve Atwater (1989), Dan Hampton (1979), Lance Alworth (1962)
Going back to the days of the old Southwest Conference, the Razorbacks have seen their share of great players, so it’s not at all shocking to see them land at number 24 on this list.
While the overall number of draft picks may not be as high as many schools, there haven’t been many high-round draft picks coming out of Arkansas that didn’t play up to their potential. Although from 2009-2016, the Hogs didn’t have anyone taken in the first round.
If you want to find a huge draft bust coming out of Fayetteville, then you look at defensive end Jamaal Anderson, taken with the 8th overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2007. Anderson – hampered by injuries to a degree – finished his NFL career with only 132 tackles and seven sacks.
Next: Gophers
First Overall Picks: None
Other Notable First Round Picks: Brian Williams (1989), Gale Gillingham (1966), Bud Grant (1950)
Yes, Minnesota. The Gophers have produced a lot of NFL talent, although very little of it coming in the way of flashy, recognizable stars, and only 16 first-round picks in the history of the program.
Still, if your goal is to play on Sundays, you stand a pretty good chance of finding your way there as a Golden Gopher.
If you look down through the draft history out of Minnesota you’ll find a ton of offensive and defensive linemen, including center, Ben Hamilton, who had an outstanding career with the Denver Broncos
The biggest bust in Minnesota history would have to go to running back Darrell Thompson, who left the Gophers as their all-time leading rusher, but never lived up to the expectations of the 19th overall pick by the Packers in 1990.
Next: Tigers
First Overall Picks: Cam Newton (2011), Aundray Bruce (1988), Bo Jackson (1986), Tucker Frederickson (1965)
Other Notable First Round Picks: Nick Fairley (2011), Takeo Spikes (1998), Willie Anderson (1996), Forrest Blue (1968)
Auburn Tigers
The Auburn Tigers are absolutely a storied program and have sent a ton of great players to the NFL, but have also had their share of big time busts.
Of course, when you say Auburn, the name Bo Jackson immediately leaps to mind. The number one overall pick in 1986 was a spectacular player and had an incredible career, despite it being shortened by injuries and the dual-sport time in MLB.
There probably hasn’t been a bigger bust out of Auburn than linebacker Aundray Bruce. Taken with the first overall pick by the Falcons in 1988, Bruce had what barely amounted to an NFL career at all.
Auburns biggest draft class came in 1989, when 10 Tigers were selected to the NFL, although none came in the first round that season.
Next: Buffs
First Overall Picks: None
Other Notable First Round Picks: Michael Westbrook (1995), Charles Johnson (1994), Stan Brock (1980), Herb Orvis (1972), Byron White (1938)
The Buffaloes haven’t seen a lot of success in recent years, but for a time they were one of the powerhouses in college football and produced NFL talent on a regular basis.
One thing is certain about Colorado’s draft history – they’ve produced a lot of running backs and wide receivers, particularly during the Buffaloes heyday.
The biggest class to ever reach the NFL from Colorado was in 1976, when 11 players were selected, including first-round picks Pete Brock, Troy Archer and Mark Koncar.
The Buffs have seen their share of busts, but none quite as notable as Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam, who was taken with the 21st overall pick by the Chicago Bears in 1995, and had a very pedestrian NFL career, playing in only 33 career games.
Next: Badgers
First Overall Picks: None
Other Notable First Round Picks: J.J. Watt (2011), Joe Thomas (2007), Ron Dayne (2000), Troy Vincent (1992), Paul Gruber (1988), Al Toon (1985), Pat Richter (1963), Alan Ameche (1955), Pat Harder (1944), Eddie Jankowski (1937)
When you think Wisconsin football, you think big hogs on the offensive line and powerful running backs, and that’s what the Badgers have been sending to the NFL in droves, including 2015 first round pick Melvin Gordon.
The Badgers have a deep draft history, dating all the way back to 1937, with their biggest class coming in 1985 when Al Toon and Darryl Sims joined the 11 total Wisconsin players selected to the draft.
Like many schools, many high round picks didn’t work out in the NFL, but none stand out as much as the 18th overall pick in the 2005 draft, defensive end Erasmus James, who only played three NFL seasons, producing only 37 total tackles.
Next: Panthers
First Overall Picks: None
Other Notable First Round Picks: Jeff Otah (2008), Darrelle Revis (2007), Larry Fitzgerald (2004), Sean Gilbert (1992), Craig Heyward (1988), Bill Fralic (1985), Chris Doleman (1985), Dan Marino (1983), Hugh Green (1981), Tony Dorsett (1977), Mike Ditka (1961)
Pitt once once a perennial football powerhouse, and produced some of the greatest and most recognizable names in NFL history. The program seems to be on the way back up now, so perhaps they’ll be moving up this list.
But even in their more lean years, the Panthers still gave the NFL some great players, such as LeSean McCoy, and managed to provide some late-round steals like 1995 third round pick Curtis Martin.
The Panthers biggest, and arguably most talented, draft class came in 1981, when 12 players were taken in the draft, including such big names as Hugh Green, Rickey Jackson, Russ Grimm and Mark May.
Of course not every top pick worked out, as the Packers found out with the Tim Lewis, the 11th overall pick in 1983, who only played three full NFL seasons. But on the whole, Pitt’s first round draft picks were solid players who lived up to the hopes of their teams.
Next: Aggies
First Overall Picks: None
Other Notable First Round Picks: Jake Matthews (2014), Mike Evans (2014), Johnny Manziel (2014), Luke Joeckel (2013), Ryan Tannehill (2012), Von Miller (2011), Sam Adams (1994), Quentin Coryatt (1992), Ray Childress (1985), Mo Moorman (1968), John David Crow (1958)
There are really several eras of Texas A&M football to examine, but in all of them they were able to produce some pretty impressive NFL talent – and a few busts as well. This is a program who was overshadowed by Texas for a long time, and has now really developed their own identity.
Most recently there has been a slew of top players emerging from the SEC version of the Aggies. While some are finding success in the league, most will still point to Johnny Manziel as the biggest disappointment to ever come out of College Station.
The biggest class to come out of Texas A&M was 1976, when ninth overall pick Bubba Bean (another Aggie bust) was part of 10 Aggies who hear their name called on draft day.
Next: Boilers
First Overall Picks: None
Other Notable First Round Picks: Anthony Spencer (2007), Rod Woodson (1987), Jim Everett (1986), Mike Pruitt (1976), Dave Butz (1973), Otis Armstrong (1973), Bob Griese (1967), Len Dawson (1957), Johnny Drake (1937)
For many fans it may seem a bit odd to see Purdue ranked this high in anything that has to do with college football, but the Boilermakers weren’t always the doormat they’ve become in recent years.
When your program produces players like Drew Brees, Matt Light, Mike Alstott and Keena Turner, you’re doing something right.
Unfortunately, names like that haven’t emerged from Purdue in some time, and the Boilermakers have only seen 17 total players drafted in the last ten years. But things weren’t always this gloomy. In 1960, Purdue had ten players drafted, and most recently there were nine Boilermakers selected in the 2004 draft.
The biggest Boilermaker bust would have to go to wide receiver Larry Burton, who was taken by the Saints with the seventh overall pick in 1975, and only amassed 44 career receptions.
Next: Huskies
First Overall Picks: Steve Emtman (1992)
Other Notable First Round Picks: Desmond Trufant (2013), Jake Locker (2011), Reggie Williams (2004), Jerramy Stevens (2002), Lincoln Kennedy (1993), Bern Brostek (1990), Ron Holmes (1985), Hugh McElhenny (1952)
More from Saturday Blitz
- Michigan State vs. Maryland: Location, time, prediction, and more
- ACC Power Rankings: Can #4 FSU overthrow Clemson at Death Valley East?
- Most heartwarming social media reactions to Nick Chubb’s injury
- Ranking college football’s top 10 quarterbacks after Week 3
- Things are going to get much darker for the Houston Cougars
While the Huskies are the darlings of preseason Pac-12 picks this year, things have been rather stale in Seattle for quite some time. The Huskies are still looked at by NFL scouts, and have some talent, but have only had 20 players drafted since 2005.
The 1980s and 90s were far more kind to Washington regarding the draft, with some talented and large classes exiting the school. 1992 and 1983 both saw 11 Huskies drafted with a lot of long-time NFL talent.
There’s no disputing the biggest bust out of Washington (and one of the biggest in NFL history) was 1992 first overall pick Steve Emtman, who was supposed to change the landscape for the Indianapolis Colts, but instead only played three injury-filled and disappointing seasons there, bouncing around for a few more until retiring in 1997.
Next: Sparty
First Overall Picks: Charles (Bubba) Smith (1967)
Other Notable First Round Picks: Charles Rogers (2003), T.J. Duckett (2002), Plaxico Burress (2000), Andre Rison (1989), Lorenzo White (1988), Mark Ingram (1987), Carl Banks (1984), Billy Joe Dupree (1973), George Webster (1967), Ed Budde (1963), Herb Adderley (1961), Dan Currie (1958), Clarence Peaks (1957), Earl Morrall (1956)
Michigan State is truly a great football program and has given the NFL some great stories and names, so finding them at 15 on this list wasn’t surprising at all.
The list of notable first round picks is quite long, but the Spartans have also had their share of forgettable top picks as well – such as QB Drew Stanton, OT Tony Mandarich, LB Percy Snow, and DE Dimitrius Underwood.
But none were a bigger disappointment than wide receiver Charles Rogers, taken with the second overall pick in 2003 by the Detroit Lions. Rogers played only parts of three seasons and finished with 36 career receptions for 440 yards.
The Spartans have never had a class move on to the NFL as big as 1958, when 11 were selected in the draft, but with only first round pick Dan Currie going on to have any sort of career in the NFL.
Next: Bruins
First Overall Picks: Troy Aikman (1989)
Other Notable First Round Picks: Marcedes Lewis (2006), Freddie Mitchell (2001), Shaun Williams (1998), Jonathan Ogden (1996), J.J. Stokes (1995), Tommy Maddox (1992), Eric Turner (1991), Freeman McNeil (1981), Kenny Easley (1981), Manu Tuiasosopo (1979), Fred McNeill (1974), Mel Farr (1967), Jimmy Johnson (1961), Billy Kilmer (1961)
UCLA…yes, that “other” program in Southern California. But despite being looked at as the 98-pound nerd sibling to USC, the Bruins have had a lot of success in preparing players for NFL careers.
The Bruins have sent a prodigious number of players on to Sunday play, and a lot of them have been potent offensive weapons. But in the 1970s, UCLA was fielding some of the country’s best defensive talent. In 1974 they had their biggest draft class, sending 12 players on to the NFL, with six of them coming from the defensive side of the ball.
Unfortunately, none of them made a big go of it in the pros.
While some would argue that 1999’s number 12 overall pick, Cade McKnown, is the biggest bust in UCLA history, there is a case to be made for Bill Sandifer, the number 10 overall pick in 1974 who only played five seasons, starting only 26 games.
But recently the draft stock for players at UCLA has gone up under head coach Jim Mora, with 26 players being selected since his arrival in 2009.
Next: Dawgs
First Overall Picks: Matthew Stafford (2009), Harry Babcock (1953), Charley Trippi (1945), Frank Sinkwich (1943)
Other Notable First Round Picks: Todd Gurley (2015), Alec Ogletree (2013), A.J. Green (2011), Thomas Davis (2005), David Pollack (2005), Ben Watson (2004), Charles Grant (2002), Richard Seymour (2001), Marcus Stroud (2001), Champ Bailey (1999), Garrison Hearst (1993), Freddie Gilbert (1984), Bill Stanfill (1969), John Rauch (1949)
Or should we just refer to this as “Tailback U”? When you look at the long list of big time running backs to come out of Georgia, it’s almost staggering.
And the Dawgs just keep stacking them up.
But beyond some hall of fame caliber running backs, the last 15 years of Bulldog draft picks has been marked with some outstanding defensive talent who have gone on to stellar NFL careers.
Georgia’s biggest draft class came in 2013 when the Bulldogs sent eight players on to make NFL dreams come true. While that’s not an oversized class of draftees, if you look at Georgia’s history, rarely do they have a year go by when they don’t have at least five or more players selected. That’s consistency.
But for all the great defensive talent entering the NFL during the Mark Richt years, there were some players who just fizzled, such as 2003 number six overall pick Johnathan Sullivan, who played three lackluster seasons for the Saints.
Next: Geaux
First Overall Picks: JaMarcus Russell (2007), Billy Cannon (1960)
Other Notable First Round Picks: Odell Beckham Jr.(2014), Barkevious Mingo (2013), Patrick Peterson (2011), Glenn Dorsey (2008), Dwayne Bowe (2007), Joseph Addai (2006), Marcus Spears (2005), Anthony McFarland (1999), Bert Jones (1973), Jerry Stovall (1963), Earl Leggett (1957), Y.A. Tittle (1951), Steve Van Buren (1944)
If Georgia has become Tailback-U, then it’s probably appropriate to call LSU Defensive Back-U. Some of the leagues top corners and safeties have made their way to the NFL out of Baton Rouge, including Patrick Peterson and the Honey Badger, Tyrann Mathieu.
That’s not to say LSU’s draft success has been limited to the secondary. The Tigers have also provided some top offensive talent (I’m sure you’ve heard of this Odell Beckham guy) as well as hogs on both sides of the line to the NFL.
The Les Miles era has been unprecedented regarding draft success for the Tigers, with 72 players being selected out of LSU since Miles took over in 2005, including the biggest class in school history twice – 9 players each in 2013 and 2014.
But LSU could also boast themselves as “QB busts ‘r’ us”, with 2007 first overall pick JaMarcus Russell leading the parade which includes Zach Mettenberger, Matt Flynn, Matt Mauck and Josh Booty.
Next: Canes
First Overall Picks: Russell Maryland (1991), Vinny Testaverde (1987)
Other Notable First Round Picks: Kenny Phillips (2008), Brandon Meriweather (2007), Greg Olsen (2007), Antrel Rolle (2005), Sean Taylor (2004), Jonathan Vilma (2004), Vince Wilfork (2004), Andre Johnson (2003), Willis McGahee (2003), Bryant McKinnie (2002), Jeremy Shockey (2002), Ed Reed (2002), Santana Moss (2001), Reggie Wayne (2001), Bubba Franks (2000), Edgerrin James (1999), Ray Lewis (1996), Warren Sapp (1995), Cortez Kennedy (1990), Michael Irvin (1988), Jerome Brown (1987), Jim Kelly (1983), Ottis Anderson (1979)
We reach the point in the countdown where the number of recognizable names increases greatly, as does the number of busts. Miami has certainly had its share of both.
Related Story: Mark Richt Makes Canes 2016 ACC Title Contender
During the Hurricanes’ glory years, it seemed like every player who suited up as in orange and green was destined for NFL paychecks. But even during the more tenuous times in Miami, they still managed to give the NFL a lot of quality players.
With Mark Richt taking over this year, the flood of talent to the professional ranks is certainly set to begin again, and the Hurricanes are unlikely to go through another six-year drought for first round picks as they did between 2009-2014.
The Canes’ 1988 draft class was their largest, with arguably some of their most recognized names, sending Bennie Blades, Michael Irvin, and nine other players to the NFL.
But with all the great quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs which have emerged from Miami, it’s ironic that their biggest bust was probably tailback Alonzo Highsmith, who was taken with the third overall pick by the Houston Oilers in 1987, and finished his NFL career with only 1,195 yards over five seasons.
Next: Gators
First Overall Picks: None
Other Notable First Round Picks: Tim Tebow (2010), Percy Harvin (2009), Rex Grossman (2003), Lito Sheppard (2002), Jevon Kearse (1999), Fred Taylor (1998), Kevin Carter (1995), Emmitt Smith (1990), Neal Anderson (1986), Wilber Marshall (1984), Wes Chandler (1978), Jack Youngblood (1971), Steve Spurrier (1967)
Staying in the sunshine state, and coming in just above Miami are their rivals from northern Florida, the Gators.
While Florida has certainly produced its share of NFL talent, it can’t go unnoticed that their long list of successful college quarterbacks have all become afterthoughts (or worse) in the NFL.
Like rival Georgia, the Gators seemingly always send a large group of players on to the professional level and find a way to reload the roster once again. Several times the Gators have had classes of nine players, with ten moving on to the NFL in 1978.
A group of some Heisman Trophy winners and some national championship winners such as Danny Wuerffel, Jesse Palmer, Rex Grossman and Tim Tebow all rewrote the college record books during their stay in Gainesville, but never really found any success in the NFL.
But for every one of those disappointments, there are names like those listed above who not only helped the Gators win a lot of game, but went on to become big parts of some successful NFL teams.
And that guy Spurrier…his name sounds somewhat familiar. Can’t quite place it though.
Next: Tide
First Overall Picks: Joe Namath (1965), Harry Gilmer (1948)
Other Notable First Round Picks: C.J. Mosley (2014), Dre Kirkpatrick (2012), Julio Jones (2011), Mark Ingram (2011), Shaun Alexander (2000), Keith McCants (1990), Derrick Thomas (1989), Cornelius Bennett (1987), Mike Pitts (1983), Marty Lyons (1979), Ozzie Newsome (1978), Wilbur Jackson (1974), John Hannah (1973)
Alabama Crimson Tide
First of all, thanks for Joe Namath and Kenny Stabler, Alabama. We owe you for those two gems.
And just like the Crimson Tide seem to always be in the hunt for a title, they also always seem to send more players to the NFL than anyone and recruit more top players than anyone to replace them.
Since Nick Saban took over in 2007, Alabama has had an amazing 58 players drafted to the NFL, with 18 of them being taken in the first round. That makes your chances of landing a sizeable paycheck pretty good if you play in Tuscaloosa.
But with all those first round picks, there have been quite a few who just didn’t pan out, with 10 of them never really living up to their top round expectations, especially the number three overall pick in 2012, running back Trent Richardson – who went from Heisman glory to being the bane of every fantasy football owner’s existence in just a few short years.
Next: Longhorns
First Overall Picks: Kenneth Sims (1982), Earl Campbell (1978), Tommy Nobis (1966)
Other Notable First Round Picks: Kenny Vaccaro (2013), Earl Thomas (2010), Brian Orakpo (2009), Vince Young (2006), Roy Williams (2004), Quentin Jammer (2002), Leonard Davis (2001), Ricky Williams (1999), Bryant Westbrook (1997), Eric Metcalf (1989), Jerry Gray (1985), Raymond Clayborn (1977), Jerry Sisemore (1973), Scott Appleton (1964), Bud McFadin (1951), Bobby Layne (1948)
Programs as old and as successful as Texas were bound to have provided a lot of draft picks, and the Longhorns have a storied history of big-time talent moving on to the NFL.
Of their three number one overall picks, only Kenneth Sims never realized the full potential of that pick. Campbell and Nobis both went on to very impactful NFL careers. In fact, very few of the Longhorns higher round draft picks didn’t have career production which equaled their pick.
Unfortunately, that didn’t hold true for 2006 number three overall pick, Vince Young, who looked sensational in his first season, but had a rocky career which ended with him playing only six seasons as a full-roster player.
During the 1940s, Texas regularly sent large classes to the NFL, but none even comes close to the 1984 group of an incredible 17 players drafted. That group was loaded with defensive talent and provided a few late round steals for NFL teams.
Next: Vols
First Overall Picks: Peyton Manning (1998), George Cafego (1940)
Other Notable First Round Picks: Eric Berry (2010), Jerod Mayo (2008), John Henderson (2002), Albert Haynesworth (2002), Jamal Lewis (2000), Alvin Harper (1991), Anthony Miller (1988), Reggie White (1984), Willie Gault (1983), Roland James (1980), Stanley Morgan (1977), Jack Reynolds (1970), Bob Johnson (1968), Doug Atkins (1953), Bert Rechichar (1952)
If all your school ever did was produce Peyton Manning, that would be just about enough on which to stand. But the Volunteers have really put some top NFL talent on the field besides the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Tennessee players heard their names called an average of eight times per draft. Phil Fulmer was not only keeping the Vols in the national title hunt quite often, but he also had his players prepared to move on.
The Vols’ 2002 draft class was their largest, sending 10 players on to the pros, including Pro Bowlers John Henderson and Albert Haynesworth,
But not all the draft picks coming off the Knoxville checkerboard lived up to the hopes of their NFL teams. Most notably, quarterback Heath Shuler, the number three overall pick in 1994 who only started 22 games in his five-year NFL career.
Next: Lions
First Overall Picks: Courtney Brown (2000), Ki-Jana Carter (1995)
Other Notable First Round Picks: Tamba Hali (2006), Larry Johnson (2003), LaVar Arrington (2000), Kerry Collins (1995), Kyle Brady (1995), O.J. McDuffie (1993), Shane Conlan (1987), Curt Warner (1983), Todd Blackledge (1983), Mike Munchak (1982), Franco Harris (1972), Ted Kwalick (1969), Lenny Moore (1956)
Regardless of where Penn State found themselves a few years ago, there was a time when this was one of the premier college football programs in the nation and regularly sent scores of players on to the NFL.
It’s hard to find an NFL roster which doesn’t have at least one or two former Nittany Lions on it, and head coach James Franklin has things trending in that direction again, with eight players being selected in the last two seasons.
You won’t find a bigger or maybe deeper draft class than Penn State’s 1987 group, which sent 13 players (including three running backs in the first three rounds) on to the pros.
Both former number one overall picks – Courtney Brown and Ki-Jana Carter – would have to be considered the school’s two biggest draft busts, with neither coming anywhere near the production expected of the draft’s top pick.
Next: Wolverines
First Overall Picks: Jake Long (2008), Tom Harmon (1941)
Other Notable First Round Picks: Leon Hall (2007), Braylon Edwards (2005), Steve Hutchinson (2001), Jeff Backus (2001), Charles Woodson (1998), Tyrone Wheatley (1995), Ty Law (1995), Derrick Alexander (1994), Desmond Howard (1992), Jim Harbaugh (1987), Jon Giesler (1979), Mike Kenn (1978), Dave Brown (1975), Tom Mack (1966)
The Michigan Wolverines are making a lot of headlines under second-year coach Jim Harbaugh, who is among the list of great players to come out of Ann Arbor.
The Wolverines have taken a defensive identity under Harbaugh, but for many years Big Blue was known for sending lightning fast wide receivers and running backs on to the NFL (as well as a few defensive and special teams stars).
But when you’ve sent 351 players on to the pros, it’s expected that a few won’t quite make the grade. That was the case with the number eight overall pick in 2001, David Terrell, who played wide receiver for a few short seasons, but never really materialized the way the Bears had hoped.
But thanks to names like Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson, those few and far between draft busts are easily forgotten, making Michigan one of the best at preparing players for a pro career.
Next: Huskers
First Overall Picks: Irving Fryar (1984), Bob Brown (1964 AFL), Sam Francis (1937)
Other Notable First Round Picks: Ndamukong Suh (2010), Adam Carriker (2007), Grant Wistrom (1998), Lawrence Phillips (1996), Neil Smith (1988), Mike Rozier (1984), Junior Miller (1980), John Dutton (1974), Johnny Rodgers (1973)
We leap into the top fives teams on this list with a bit of a thud. While Nebraska certainly has churned out a lot of talent, they have one of the worst ratios of success/production vs draft pick of any school on the list.
Of the Cornhuskers 357 draft picks, only 35 were taken in the first round. Of those 35, only some of the names listed above could be considered having lived up to the potential of their pick. The rest either fizzled out quickly or just never even made the cut.
While Bob Brown was selected with the first overall pick by Denver in the AFL draft of 1964, he opted to join the NFL, taken with the second overall pick by Philadelphia, where he went on to a Pro Bowl career with the Eagles, Rams, and Raiders.
The Huskers biggest draft class was in 1975, when 12 were selected, including first-round bust Tom Ruud.
Next: Sooners
First Overall Picks: Sam Bradford (2010), Billy Sims (1980), Lee Roy Selmon (1976)
Other Notable First Round Picks: Gerald McCoy (2010), Trent Williams (2010), Jermaine Gresham (2010), Adrian Peterson (2007), Davin Joseph (2006), Jammal Brown (2005), Tommie Harris (2004), Roy Williams (2002), Keith Jackson (1988), Brian Bosworth (1987), Tony Casillas (1986), Rick Bryan (1984), Jerry Tubbs (1957)
Boomer Sooner jumps in at number four, and the NFL player machine in Norman keeps on cranking out some talent.
You want to measure some success as a coach, then look no further than Bob Stoops. Along with the numerous conference and national titles to his credit, Stoops has seen an incredible 80 players have their names called on draft day since coming to Oklahoma in 1999.
In 2010, the Sooners dominated the first round, with four players taken, including number one overall pick Sam Bradford.
But busts are a part of the game, and while the jury is still out on Bradford’s career, Brian Bosworth has to be viewed as one of Oklahoma’s biggest busts. Not so much for being taken in the supplemental draft – which was essentially Boz’s fault for sending letters to so many teams stating he wouldn’t play for them – but for the way his career just imploded from the start.
Next: Buckeyes
First Overall Picks: Orlando Pace (1997), Dan Wilkinson (1994), Tom Cousineau (1979)
Other Notable First Round Picks: Cameron Heyward (2011), Malcolm Jenkins (2009), Ted Ginn (2007), A.J. Hawk (2006), Donte Whitner (2006), Santonio Holmes (2006), Nick Mangold (2006), Will Smith (2004), Chris Gamble (2004), Nate Clements (2001), Antoine Winfield (1999), Joey Galloway (1995), Korey Stringer (1995), Robert Smith (1993), Keith Byars (1986), Jim Lachey (1985), Tim Fox (1976), Archie Griffin (1976), Doug France (1975), Randy Gradishar (1974), John Brockington (1971), Jack Tatum (1971), Paul Warfield (1964)
Love ’em or hate ’em, you can’t deny that Ohio State is not only one of the winningest programs in the history of college football, but is also one of the best places to set foot if you want to join the pros.
There is never a shortage of talent on either side of the ball, and NFL scouts are always looking towards Ohio State for draft gems and bargains.
Ohio State has had some bigger draft classes than their most recent in 2016 (14 Buckeyes were selected in 2004), but there may not be a class as deep, with five first round picks and not one of the 12 players selected coming after the 4th round.
You have to really dig to find a huge Buckeye bust, but 1979 first overall pick Tom Cousineau might qualify as the oddest, as he never played a down for the Buffalo Bills, opting instead to join the Canadian Football League to begin his career.
Next: Irish
First Overall Picks: Walt Patulski (1972), Paul Hornung (1957), Leon Hart (1950), Frank (Boley) Dancewicz (1946), Angelo Bertelli (1944)
Other Notable First Round Picks: Tyler Eifert (2013), Jeff Faine (2003), Renaldo Wynn (1997), Bryant Young (1994), Jeff Burris (1994), Rick Mirer (1993), Jerome Bettis (1993), Tim Brown (1988), Greg Bell (1984), George Kunz (1969), Jack Snow (1965), Nick Pietrosante (1959), Frank Varrichione (1955), John Lattner (1954), Johnny Lujack (1946)
While Notre Dame has certainly accumulated a lot of draft picks over the years, there have been more than a few players coming from South Bend (particularly quarterbacks) who never panned out.
One of the greatest quarterbacks to emerge from Fighting Irish lore – Joe Montana – wasn’t even a first-round pick, going with the 26th pick in the third round to the San Francisco 49ers. The “sure thing” quarterback names (Brady Quinn, Jimmy Clausen, Rick Mirer, et al) just really never materialized into NFL stars.
But if you look at some of the names on the list of notable players to come out of Notre Dame, you end up with a whos-who of Hall of Fame talent, particularly in the Irish glory years.
Next: Trojans
First Overall Picks: Carson Palmer (2003), Keyshawn Johnson (1996), Ricky Bell (1997), O.J. Simpson (1969), Ron Yary (1968)
Other Notable First Round Picks: Matt Kalil (2012), Mark Sanchez (2009), Clay Matthews (2009), Reggie Bush (2006), Matt Leinart (2006), Troy Polamalu (2003), Chris Claiborne (1999), Tony Boselli (1995), Willie McGinest (1994), Johnnie Morton (1994), Curtis Conway (1993), Todd Marinovich (1991), Junior Seau (1990), Mark Carrier (1990), Duane Bickett (1985), Ken Ruettgers (1985), Bruce Matthews (1983), Marcus Allen (1982), Ronnie Lott (1981), Dennis Smith (1981), Anthony Munoz (1980), Charles White (1980), Clay Matthews (1978), Lynn Swann (1974), Charle Young (1973), Al Cowlings (1970), Pete Beathard (1964), Ron Mix (1960), Frank Gifford (1952)
Who else at the top, right?
Yes, the USC Trojans have had more players drafted than any other school in history, leading Notre Dame by just four players as of the end of the 2016 draft.
The list of greats can seemingly go on forever (although so can the busts), and the names are some that every generation of football fans knows and admires.
Maybe even more impressive than the overall number of draft picks (or the names) is the fact that of those 497 total picks, 79 came in the first round, with very few of them being a swing and a miss for the teams who drafted them.
Next: 50 Best CFB Players for 2016
But not everything is roses in Hollywood. Mark Sanchez might go down in history as one of the bigger busts from USC. Still, there is probably none greater than former Trojan quarterback Todd Marinovich, who was taken with the 24th overall pick in 1991 and only played parts of two seasons with the Raiders before moving on to the CFL and Arena League.