It’s hard to argue against the claim that the SEC is the best football conference when they keep fielding pro-level talent year after year. If you needed any more proof, look no further than this weekend’s NFL Draft.
247Sports recently noted that for the 17th consecutive year, the SEC led all of college football in NFL Draft picks. For the 2023 edition of the NFL’s premier offseason event, Alabama (10) and Georgia (10), each led the way with a double-digit number of prospects hearing their names called.
13 SEC programs fielded at least one prospect that was selected in the 2023 draft, including Florida (6), LSU (6), Tennessee (5), Auburn (5), South Carolina (5), Ole Miss (4), Kentucky (3), Arkansas (2), Mississippi State (2), and Missouri (1).
Not to be left out of course are the Texas A&M Aggies, who had all three prospects that declared for the draft officially selected.
The SEC once again led college football in 2023 NFL Draft picks, a longstanding mark the league holds for 17 consecutive years. 👏
📝- https://t.co/Ou7Z1JZeqK pic.twitter.com/7MCJKKIxzL
— 247Sports (@247Sports) May 1, 2023
Devon Achane went No. 84 overall to the Miami Dolphins, Antonio Johnson was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 160th pick, and Jaylon Jones was drafted at No. 221 by the Indianapolis Colts. A common theme shared by all three Aggies is that they arguably slipped farther than they were projected to land heading into this past weekend’s event.
The most notable drop was had by Johnson, who was drafted in the fifth round despite garnering a first-to-second-round projection from many analysts.
Odds are that many will look back on their respective slides in the 2023 draft and laugh once they see the impact the Aggies provide for their new NFL teams. The consensus belief is that all three provide tremendous value in regard to where they were drafted, with the possibility that all three could prove to be draft steals in hindsight. Jones should thrive in press coverage with the Colts while Johnson’s physicality will give a jolt to a Jaguars secondary that ranked 28th in pass defense last season.
As for Achane? Adding his speed to a Mike McDaniel-led Dolphins offense feels absolutely unfair, with the head coach arguably euphoric at the thought of drawing up plays for the draft’s fastest running back.
Even though Texas A&M may not have fielded as many prospects this year in comparison to their conference counterparts, it nonetheless speaks to the talent pipeline out in College Station. The Aggies have a track record of developing top-tier talent for the pros, and all eyes will be on the 2024 draft when it comes to which Aggie prospect will hear their name called next.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee
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