Which college has the most first round picks in NFL Draft history?
By Tommy Jaggi
There are many prestigious colleges and universities known for producing NFL talent. During most of the past decade, Nick Saban helped Alabama produce loads of first-round talent in the NFL Draft. Other prominent teams SEC teams like LSU and Georgia have chipped in.
But which college holds the record for the most first-round picks in the NFL Draft?
When it comes to bragging rights, one University can claim that their school has produced more first-round talent than any football program in the country.
Which college has produced the most first-round picks in the NFL Draft?
Ohio State University has produced more first-round picks than any school. They hold the record at 90 players who went on to become first-round draft picks, and that number is guaranteed to increase knowing that Marvin Harrison Jr. will be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Coming in second place with 85 first-round picks is USC. Star quarterback Caleb Williams will add to that number this year as he is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the draft. Notre Dame and Alabama are tied for third place with 70 players who went on to be first-round picks in the NFL Draft.
Over the past 15 years, Ohio State has produced outstanding NFL talents like Pittsburgh Steelers DL Cameron Heyward and LB Ryan Shazier. In 2016, a whopping 5 players from Ohio State were selected in the first round: EDGE Nick Bosa, RB Ezekiel Elliott, CB Eli Apple, OT Taylor Decker, and LB Darron Lee.
The 2023 NFL Draft saw three Ohio State players join the list -- bringing the total up to 90. They were QB C.J. Stroud, OT Paris Johnson Jr., and WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Ohio State's football program has gone through highs and lows, but they produce first-round NFL talent more than any school in the nation, and it could be years until another school unseats them in this department.