SEC football breaks records, dominates first round of 2020 NFL Draft

Nearly half of the players selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft were from SEC football — and no one was surprised.

The SEC was represented at the Heisman Trophy ceremony last December and at the College Football Playoff in January. On Thursday, their representation stretched all across America during the virtual broadcast of the 2020 NFL Draft due to COVID-19. And the SEC absolutely dominated the show with a record-setting 15 first round picks.

MORE SEC: New York Giants add Georgia tackle with No. 4 overall pick

From the first pick to the last pick, it was all about the SEC. Heisman-winning quarterback Joe Burrow has been the presumed first overall pick for months now, but it became official on Thursday when Cincinnati selected the LSU Tiger.

The New York Giants drafted Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas at No. 4 to help protect quarterback Daniel Jones and clear running lanes for Saquon Barkley.

The third SEC player off the board was Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The Miami Dolphins patiently waited and snagged their quarterback of the future at No. 5.

The Carolina Panthers drafted Auburn’s Derrick Brown two picks later at No. 7 to bulk-up their defensive line; Matt Rhule’s inaugural pick as head coach. He coached in the Big 12 last year and opted for an SEC talent.

At No. 9, the Jaguars desperately needed help at corner and got it in Florida’s C.J. Henderson. Immediately following Jacksonville’s pick, the Cleveland Browns drafted Alabama offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., to beef up their protection of Baker Mayfield.

The first Alabama wide receiver came off the board at No. 12 when the Las Vegas Raiders chose Henry Ruggs III.

South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw was grabbed by the NFC-Champion San Francisco 49ers at No. 14 before Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy flew off the board to the Denver Broncos at No. 15.

Four entire picks would be made before another SEC player was selected, but at No. 20 the Jacksonville Jaguars added LSU’s K’Lavon Chaisson to their pass rush. LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson was taken at No. 22 by the Minnesota Vikings and linebacker Patrick Queen will go from LSU to the Baltimore Ravens after being chosen with the 28th pick.

Another Georgia tackle, Isaiah Wilson, was drafted at No. 29 by the Tennessee Titans, and Auburn’s Noah Igbinoghene became a Miami Dolphin after being picked at No. 30.

It’s only right that a draft dominated by the SEC — and, in particular, the LSU Tigers — be capped off by a LSU Tiger. Enter, Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The running back will join the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs after being the 32nd and final pick of the 2020 NFL Draft’s first round.

Like I said, this type of domination at the draft by the SEC surprised no one. They broke the record of players chosen by a single conference. But guess whose record it was? The SEC’s. They’ve twice ushered 12 players to the NFL via the first round — in 2013 and 2017. The ACC had 12 players drafted in a single first round, too, in 2006, but no other Power Five conference has more than 10.

So while you might not like the cupcakes the SEC schedules for late in the schedule or if you’re just sick and tired of their continued dominance, get over it. The SEC isn’t going anywhere, well, except for these players who’ll be playing on Sundays and Mondays instead of Saturdays.

*Draft note: The Big Ten recorded the second-most selections (5), followed by the Big 12 (4), Pac-12 (4), ACC (3) and the Mountain West (1).