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Social media sounds off after Tide’s record-setting start to 2021 NFL Draft
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Alabama fans are well used to seeing former Crimson Tide players taken early in the NFL Draft. This year was no different as Jaylen Waddle was selected 6th overall and will reunite with Tua Tagovailoa in Miami. Tide players later went 9th and 10th as cornerback Patrick Surtain II and wide receiver DeVonta Smith were taken by Denver and Philadelphia, respectively. Quarterback Mac Jones (15th, New England), offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood (17th, Las Vegas) and running back Najee Walker (24th, Pittsburgh) rounded out the 6 Alabama players selected on the 1st night.
Night 2 was no different as offensive center Landon Dickerson was taken 5th in the 2nd round, where he’ll join Smith and former Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts. Jones will reunite with Christian Barmore in New England as the Patriots took him with the next selection.
All told, out of the first 38 picks of the 2021 NFL Draft, 8 players were from the Crimson Tide. That’s a record for one school, breaking last year’s mark of 7 set by LSU and—you guessed it—Alabama.
Most Players from a single school Drafted in First 2 Rounds:
2021 Alabama 8
2020 Alabama 7
2020 LSU 7
2017 Alabama 7
2016 Ohio State 7
2008 USC 7
2000 Tennessee 7— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) April 30, 2021
Here’s how social media reacted to the latest run of dominance in the draft by Alabama:
Eight of the first 38 picks have come from Alabama.
That’s 21% of the draft so far.
I’m beginning to understand why Alabama keeps winning.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) April 30, 2021
Alabama’s entire team may get drafted! Lol. Really impressive. What a program!
— CoachFrantz (@CoachFrantzJ) April 30, 2021
The SEC has 16 of the first 44 draft picks. Alabama has half of the 16.
— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) May 1, 2021
Who else can we draft from Alabama? Who's their kicker?
— Chef Smallz (@GregSmallz) May 1, 2021
As if Nick Saban needed any help recruiting he really gets to walk into these living rooms and ask if they want to go to the NFL and then show them that Alabama players were like 1/3 of the first 40 picks in the draft
— Carl Regolino (@Carl_Regolino) April 30, 2021
Alabama has 8 players drafted within the first 47 picks.
Auburn currently has zero.
Alabama fans: pic.twitter.com/qeyVnD6XJK
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) May 1, 2021
I feel like if I had gone to Alabama I would have been drafted at least on Day 3.
— Rocky Osborn ?????? (@rockyknowsbest) May 1, 2021
And we wonder why Alabama won the national championship last year? Eight players drafted out of the first 38 picks. #2021NFLDraft #Dynasty
— Jim Wiseman (@JimWiseman1) April 30, 2021
Recruits take notice……after this draft, Saban doesn’t have to sell The Process ever again! Alabama has had 8 players drafted in the top 38 picks! That’s a 21% clip…. Numbers don’t lie
A combined value of $120,000,000.00 +
Roll Tide
— joeb2344 (@joeb23441) April 30, 2021
Nick Saban has had 100 players drafted to the NFL since he’s been at Alabama.
In what world ?????WOW
— MrsBougieFoodie, Esq. (@mrsbougiefoodie) April 30, 2021
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
