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.