This isn’t much of a shock, right?
Especially when you take a moment to remember that Nick Saban didn’t arrive in Tuscaloosa until 2007.
And this ranking system is based on draft picks since 2000.
247Sports created a list of the top 50 schools in the country with the most draft picks, and there’s only one program ahead of Alabama? Which program is it? Let’s find out!
The Alabama Crimson Tide has had 127 NFL draft picks since 2000.
Of those 127, 31 have been first rounders.
Alabama is also the leading SEC program with most players drafted until the NFL.
The next SEC behind Alabama is LSU who is ranked No. 3, and has had 126 players drafted.
But back to Alabama, here’s what 247Sports had to say:
“If possible, Alabama in the Nick Saban era has become a bigger pipeline to the NFL than before. Nine Crimson Tide players heard their names called in the 2020 NFL Draft, including Jedrick Wills (pictured). No player was taken lower than Round 3; four players were taken in Round 1.
Alabama is the top SEC school on this list; it’s tied with one school for bragging rights as having produced the most first-round picks since 2000.”
I mean, it’s true.
Nick Saban has done many things for Alabama.
He not only restored the football program, he also created a dynasty.
Since 2007, Saban has led Alabama to win 5 national titles, 7 SEC West titles, 6 SEC Championship titles, and much, much more.
So it’s no shock to hear Alabama is the 2nd best program since 2000 with the most NFL Draft picks.
But who is number 1?
Ohio State.
Since 2000, OSU has had 141 players drafted in the NFL, 31 of which were first rounders, just like Alabama.
But honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Alabama overtake the No. 1 spot over the next few years.
After all, 9 players were drafted this past season.
And Alabama has not shown any chance of slowing down anytime soon.
Roll Tide!
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