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The “SEC bias” argument against the conference’s domination in the recruiting rankings is rather flimsy.
If the incoming signees are perpetually overrated, how come the SEC produces so many high NFL draft picks?
Nine of the 14 conference members have produced at least one No. 1 overall pick — even Vanderbilt, with QB Bill Wade (1952). Missouri is the only current SEC school that has never accounted for at least a No. 2 overall pick.
Auburn and Georgia have each produced four No. 1 overall selections in the NFL draft, which started in 1936.
Texas A&M fans aren’t exactly chanting “we’re No. 2!” but the Aggies have matriculated five different players drafted at No. 2 overall, including Luke Joeckel and Von Miller within the last five drafts.
Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil may be the only SEC player in this year’s draft capable of adding himself to the list, as he’s one of the players who could get selected No. 1 overall.
Here is the highest-ever draft pick for all 14 SEC programs.
| TEAM | POS./PLAYER | YEAR | PICK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | HB Harry Gilmer | 1948 | No. 1 |
| Arkansas | QB Lamar McHan | 1954 | No. 2 |
| Auburn | QB Cam Newton LB Aundray Bruce RB Bo Jackson RB Tucker Frederickson |
2011 1988 1986 1965 |
No. 1 |
| Florida | HB Paul Duhart | 1945 | No. 2 |
| Georgia | QB Matthew Stafford E Harry Babcock HB Charley Trippi RB Frank Sinkwich |
2009 1953 1945 1943 |
No. 1 |
| Kentucky | QB Tim Couch | 1999 | No. 1 |
| LSU | QB JaMarcus Russell RB Billy Cannon |
2007 1960 |
No. 1 |
| Mississippi State | OLB Johnie Cooks | 1982 | No. 2 |
| Missouri | DE Justin Smith OT Russ Washington |
2001 1968 |
No. 4 |
| Ole Miss | QB Eli Manning | 2004 | No. 1 |
| South Carolina | DE Jadeveon Clowney RB George Rogers |
2014 1981 |
No. 1 |
| Tennessee | QB Peyton Manning TB George Kafego |
1998 1940 |
No. 1 |
| Texas A&M | OT Luke Joeckel OLB Von Miller LB Quentin Coryatt HB John David Crow FB John Kimbrough |
2013 2011 1992 1958 1941 |
No. 2 |
| Vanderbilt | QB Bill Wade | 1952 | No. 1 |
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
