25 College football programs with the most all-time NFL Draft picks

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.

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