The SEC Dominates the First-Round Once Again

Eric Boggs April 26, 2024 2 min read

By Eric Boggs from The OHIO Podcast

Alabama, LSU, and Washington were the top dogs in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, snagging three picks each. Alabama and LSU played big roles in a first round where the SEC boasted 11 first-round picks. This marks Alabama’s final draft with Coach Nick Saban, ending his legendary tenure on a high note. Tennessee picked JC Latham at No. 7, Minnesota traded up for Dallas Turner at No. 17, and Detroit took Terrion Arnold at No. 17.

LSU also scored big, with Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels going at No. 2. Malik Nabers was chosen at No. 6, and Jacksonville nabbed Brian Thomas at No. 23. Washington also had a strong showing, with Michael Penix Jr. going to Atlanta at No. 8, Rome Odunze to Chicago at No. 9, and Pittsburgh picking Troy Fautanu at No. 20.

Now that the first-round of the 2024 NFL Draft is complete, we can take a look at the all-time number of first round selections by school. Despite only adding one selection in Marvin Harrison Jr., who went fourth overall to the Arizona Cardinals, Ohio State leads the all-time list with 91 selections. Both LSU and Alabama were able to gain a little ground last night with both schools getting three selections. The Crimson Tide ranks third all-time with 82 picks while LSU leap frogged Oklahoma, who only had one selection, and are now tied with Michigan for seventh all-time with 52 first-time draft picks.

Also of note, Georgia finished with two picks last night, breaking a tenth place tie with SEC rival Tennessee. The Bulldogs now have seen 49 players picked in the first-round, 14 of which have happened since Kirby Smart has taken over as head coach at Georgia in 2016. Eight of those 14 picks happened in two drafts, five of which were in 2022 and three more in 2023.

Michigan only had one first-round pick, J.J. McCarthy at No. 10, but they’re expected to bounce back on Days 2 and 3. They might even break the record set by Georgia in 2022 with 15 picks. Last year, Georgia and Alabama tied for the lead with 10 players each. The SEC dominated the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft with 11 selections.