2025 NFL Draft: Odd SEC first-round streak in danger of ending
A double-digit total of first-rounders is expected to come from the SEC in next week’s NFL Draft. But which prospect from the conference will be the first to hear his name called on Thursday night?
If LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell is that player, an odd first-round streak that has reached 32 years will end for the SEC.
The Washington Commanders made LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels the first selection from the SEC at last year’s draft with the No. 2 pick.
That was the 32nd draft in a row that the first player chosen from the SEC came from a school different from the first player chosen in the preceding draft.
The same SEC member hasn’t produced the first player picked from the conference in consecutive drafts since Tennessee in 1991 and 1992. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took Tennessee offensive tackle Charles McRae at No. 7 for the first pick from the SEC in the 1991 draft, and the Kansas City Chiefs tabbed Volunteers cornerback Dale Carter at No. 20 for the first pick from the SEC in the 1992 draft.
Since then, the first player chosen from the SEC in each draft has been:
1993: Georgia running back Garrison Hearst at No. 3 by the Phoenix Cardinals
1994: Tennessee quarterback Heath Shuler at No. 3 by the Washington Redskins
1995: Florida defensive end Kevin Carter at No. 6 by the St. Louis Rams
1996: Auburn offensive tackle Willie Anderson at No. 10 by the Cincinnati Bengals
1997: Florida wide receiver Ike Hilliard at No. 7 by the New York Giants
1998: Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning at No. 1 by the Indianapolis Colts
1999: Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch at No. 1 by the Cleveland Browns
2000: Alabama offensive tackle Chris Samuels at No. 3 by the Washington Redskins
2001: Florida defensive tackle Gerald Warren at No. 3 by the Cleveland Browns
2002: Tennessee defensive tackle John Henderson at No. 9 by the Jacksonville Jaguars
2003: Kentucky defensive tackle DeWayne Robertson at No. 4 by the New York Jets
2004: Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning at No. 1 by the San Diego Chargers
2005: Auburn running back Ronnie Brown at No. 2 by the Miami Dolphins
2006: Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler at No. 11 by the Denver Broncos
2007: LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell at No. 1 by the Oakland Raiders
2008: Arkansas running back Darren McFadden at No. 4 by the Oakland Raiders
2009: Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford at No. 1 by the Detroit Lions
2010: Tennessee safety Eric Berry at No. 5 by the Kansas City Chiefs
2011: Auburn quarterback Cam Newton at No. 1 by the Carolina Panthers
2012: Alabama running back Trent Richardson at No. 3 by the Cleveland Browns
2013: Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel at No. 2 by the Jacksonville Jaguars
2014: South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney at No. 1 by the Houston Texans
2015: Florida outside linebacker Dante Fowler at No. 3 by the Jacksonville Jaguars
2016: Georgia outside linebacker Leonard Floyd at No. 9 by the Chicago Bears
2017: Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett at No. 1 by the Cleveland Browns
2018: Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith at No. 8 by the Chicago Bears
2019: Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams at No. 3 by the New York Jets
2020: LSU quarterback Joe Burrow at No. 1 by the Cincinnati Bengals
2021: Florida tight end Kyle Pitts at No. 4 by the Atlanta Falcons
2022: Georgia defensive end Travon Walker at No. 1 by the Jacksonville Jaguars
2023: Alabama quarterback Bryce Young at No. 1 by the Carolina Panthers
2024: LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels at No. 2 by the Washington Commanders
In the 2025 draft, Campbell or Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou is expected to be the first SEC player picked. The New England Patriots at No. 4 could make that selection.
If the tackles slip past that pick, then the next opportunity would seem to be at No. 7 with the New York Jets. If the tackles remain on the board after that, then pass-rushers such as Georgia’s Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams and Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. could come into play for the first selection from the SEC or maybe Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron after the Longhorns’ first season in the conference.
In the first 57 drafts, the same SEC school produced the conference’s first pick in back-to-back drafts seven times, with Tennessee at each end with the first selections in 1940 and 1941 and again in 1991 and 1992. LSU produced the SEC’s first draft picks in 1962 and 1963, Florida in 1969 and 1970, Kentucky in 1977 and 1978, Mississippi State in 1982 and 1983 and Alabama in 1989 and 1990.
Alabama has produced the first SEC player picked in 13 drafts, the most in the conference.
The first SEC player selected in each draft (arranged by school) includes:
Alabama: 13 (QB Bryce Young in 2023, DT Quinnen Williams in 2019, RB Trent Richardson in 2012, OT Chris Samuels in 2000, LB Keith McCants in 1990, LB Derrick Thomas in 1989, LB Cornelius Bennett in 1987, LB E.J. Junior in 1981, LB Barry Krauss in 1979, QB Richard Todd in 1976, RB Wilbur Jackson in 1974, QB Harry Gilmer in 1948, B Joe Kilgrow in 1938 and B Riley Smith in 1936)
Arkansas: 1 (RB Darren McFadden in 2008)
Auburn: 6 (QB Cam Newton in 2011, RB Ronnie Brown in 2005, OT Willie Anderson in 1996, LB Aundray Bruce in 1988, RB Bo Jackson in 1986 and RB Tucker Frederickson in 1965)
Florida: 10 (TE Kyle Pitts in 2021, OLB Dante Fowler in 2015, DT Gerald Warren in 2001, WR Ike Hilliard in 1997, DE Kevin Carter in 1995, OT Lomas Brown in 1985, DB Steve Tannen in 1970, RB Larry Smith in 1969, QB Steve Spurrier in 1967 and RB Chuck Hunsinger in 1950)
Georgia: 10 (DE Travon Walker in 2022, LB Roquan Smith in 2018, OLB Leonard Floyd in 2016, QB Matthew Stafford in 2009, RB Garrison Hearst in 1993, G Royce Smith in 1972, E Harry Babcock in 1953, QB Johnny Rauch in 1949, B Charley Trippi in 1945 and RB Frank Sinkwich in 1943)
Kentucky: 6 (DT Dewayne Robertson in 2003, QB Tim Couch in 1999, DE Art Still in 1978, OT Warren Bryant in 1977, T Lou Michaels in 1958 and E Steve Meilinger in 1954)
LSU: 12 (QB Jayden Daniels in 2024, QB Joe Burrow in 2020, QB JaMarcus Russell in 2007, QB Bert Jones in 1973, B Jerry Stovall in 1963, B Wendell Harris in 1962, RB Billy Cannon in 1960, DT Earl Leggett in 1957, QB Y.A. Tittle in 1951, B Red Knight in 1947, RB Steve Van Buren in 1944 and E Gaynell Tinsley in 1937)
Mississippi State: 5 (RB Michael Haddix in 1983, LB Johnie Cooks in 1982, DT Jimmy Webb in 1975, B Billy Stacy in 1959 and B Art Davis in 1956)
Ole Miss: 5 (QB Eli Manning in 2004, QB Archie Manning in 1971, OT Stan Hindman in 1966, B Merle Hapes in 1942 and B Parker Hall in 1939)
South Carolina: 1 (DE Jadeveon Clowney in 2014)
Tennessee: 11 (S Eric Berry in 2010, DT John Henderson in 2002, QB Peyton Manning in 1998, QB Heath Shuler in 1994, DB Dale Carter in 1992, OT Charles McRae in 1991, CB Roland James in 1980, C Bob Johnson in 1968, OT Dick Evey in 1964, T Abe Shires in 1941 and B George Cafego in 1940)
Texas A&M: 2 (DE Myles Garrett in 2017 and OT Luke Joeckel in 2013)
Vanderbilt: 3 (QB Jay Cutler in 2006, DB Leonard Coleman in 1984 and QB Bill Wade in 1952)
Missouri has not produced the first SEC pick during its 12 drafts as a conference member.
Former SEC member Tulane provided the conference’s top pick in 1961 (RB Tommy Mason) and 1946 (B Dub Jones), and Georgia Tech did so in 1955 (C Larry Morris).
The first round of the 90th NFL Draft begins at 7 p.m. CDT Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and NFL Network will televise the event.
FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.