What Schools Have Produced the Most NFL Draft Picks?
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The dominance the Georgia Bulldogs displayed during their national title run extended into this past weekend’s NFL Draft.
Georgia set a record for draft picks from a seven-round draft with 15 players selected. The previous record was set by Ohio State in 2004 and LSU in 2020, with both teams having 14 players drafted.
Georgia also set a record on Thursday with five defensive players selected in the opening round, including the Jacksonville Jaguars’ No. 1 pick, defensive end Travon Walker.
Defensive tackle Jordan Davis went No. 13 to the Philadelphia Eagles and linebacker Quay Walker went 22nd to the Green Bay Packers. The Packers also went with defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt at No. 28. Safety Lewis Cine rounded out the first round, going No. 32 to the Minnesota Vikings.
Bulldogs’ players dominated this draft and Georgia does have a history of great players. But, where does it rank all time?
We took a deep dive into the NFL Draft and looked at what schools produced the most players.
The 15 players selected from Georgia elevated the school to the 11th-most draft picks of all-time at 361, jumping Miami (355), Tennessee (355) and Texas (352).
Here’s a rundown of the schools that have the most draft picks in NFL history.
Notre Dame maintains edge over USC
Notre Dame entered with the most draft picks of all-time at 520 and held that lead over Southern California with safety Kyle Hamilton going No. 14 to the Baltimore Ravens and running back Kyren Williams selected at No. 164 in the fifth round by the Los Angeles Rams.
USC cut into Notre Dame’s lead with three players drafted this year. Wide receiver Drake London went to the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8, while linebacker Drake Jackson went at No. 61 to the San Francisco 49ers. Keaontay Ingram was the final pick for the Trojans, with the running back going to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 201.
Notre Dame’s prolific draft figures are the result of a stretch in the 1940s. From 1944-46, the Irish had 44 players drafted to the NFL. No other school has produced more than 32 draft picks in a three-year span. In 1946, the Irish had 16 players drafted and saw 15 players selected in 1945. Only Texas’ 17 picks in 1984 are more in a single draft class.
Notre Dame, Oklahoma, USC, Georgia Most No. 1 Draft Picks
Walker going No. 1 sent Georgia into a four-way tie with Notre Dame, Oklahoma and USC for the most No. 1 draft picks at five. Georgia also had Matthew Stafford (2009), Harry Babcock (1953), Charley Trippi (1945) and Frank Sinkwich (1943) go No. 1.
Notre Dame hasn’t had a No. 1 pick since Walt Patulski in 1972. Paul Hornung (1957), Leon Hart (1950), Frank Dancewicz (1946) and Angelo Bertelli (1944) were the other top picks from the Irish.
Of the four schools with the most No. 1 picks, Oklahoma has had the most recent top selections. Kyler Murray (2019), Baker Mayfield (2018) and Sam Bradford (2010) were No. 1 QB selections, while Billy Sims (1980) and Lee Roy Selmon (1976) were the other top picks for the Sooners.
USC’s five No. 1 selections include Carson Palmer (2003), Keyshawn Johnson (1996), Ricky Bell (1977), O.J. Simpson (1969) and Ron Yary (1968).
Schools That Have the Most NFL Draft Picks
- Notre Dame 522
- USC 519
- Ohio State 479
- Oklahoma 409
- Michigan 392
- Alabama 391
- Penn State 375
- LSU 369
- Florida 367
- Nebraska 366
- Georgia 361
- Miami 355
- Tennessee 355
- Texas 352
- UCLA 333
- Michigan State 319
- Washington 315
- Texas A&M 299
- Wisconsin 294
- Pittsburgh 291
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