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Colleges with the Best Drafts In Each Year

Half of the top four picks in the 2010 draft.

Half of the top four picks in the 2010 draft.

Thanks to the Football Perspective Draft Value Chart, we know the value of each pick in the draft. If we assign the draft value associated with each pick to the college of that player, then we can determine which school produced the most draft value in any given year.  For example, this year, Texas A&M could have three players selected in the top ten: Johnny Manziel, Jake Matthews, and Mike Evans.  In fact, I have the trio all going in the top 8 in my mock draft.

Only three times in the last 25 years has a school had three of its players go in the top ten. Four years ago, Oklahoma had three players go in the top four, with Sam Bradford, Gerald McCoy, and Trent Williams only interrupted by the Lions selection of Ndamukong Suh.  Nine years ago, Auburn running backs Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams went in the top five and cornerback Carlos Rogers was selected ninth overall. And in 1995, Penn State sent Ki-Jana Carter, Kerry Collins, and Kyle Brady to the NFL, although the Nittany Lions didn’t even have the best draft of any school that year.

But no school dominated a single draft quite like Notre Dame back in 1946. The Fighting Irish had three of the first five picks (including Jason’s boy, Johnny Lujack and Hall of Famer George Connor), and the 10th and 16th overall selections. And then seven more in the top 135! In more modern times, the Hurricanes’ 2004 class takes the cake.  That year, Miami had six of the top 21 picks (Sean Taylor (5), Kellen Winslow Jr. (6), Jonathan Vilma (12), D.J. Williams (17), Vernon Carey (19) and Vince Wilfork (21))!

The table below shows the top college from each year, as measured by draft value used to select its players. [1]Note that I have excluded all supplemental drafts.  I know, Cornhusker fans, you’re very disappointed that you can’t add Mike Rozier to the 1-2 punch of Irving Fryar and Dean Steinkuhler. Next to each player’s name, I have included the overall draft pick used to select him.

YearSchoolValPicks
2013Alabama84.2Dee Milliner (9). Chance Warmack (10). D.J. Fluker (11). Eddie Lacy (61). Nico Johnson (99). Barrett Jones (113). Jesse Williams (137). Quinton Dial (157). Michael Williams (211).
2012Alabama98.7Trent Richardson (3). Mark Barron (7). Dre Kirkpatrick (17). Dont'a Hightower (25). Courtney Upshaw (35). Josh Chapman (136). DeQuan Menzie (146). Brad Smelley (247).
2011Alabama78.9Marcell Dareus (3). Julio Jones (6). James Carpenter (25). Mark Ingram (28). Greg McElroy (208).
2010Oklahoma112.9Sam Bradford (1). Gerald McCoy (3). Trent Williams (4). Jermaine Gresham (21). Keenan Clayton (121). Dominique Franks (135). Brody Eldridge (162).
2009USC95.9Mark Sanchez (5). Brian Cushing (15). Clay Matthews (26). Rey Maualuga (38). Fili Moala (56). Patrick Turner (87). Kaluka Maiava (104). Kyle Moore (117). David Buehler (172). Cary Harris (183). Kevin Ellison (189).
2008USC107.1Sedrick Ellis (7). Keith Rivers (9). Sam Baker (21). Lawrence Jackson (28). Chilo Rachal (39). Fred Davis (48). Terrell Thomas (63). John David Booty (137). Thomas Williams (155). Chauncey Washington (213).
2007LSU85.8JaMarcus Russell (1). LaRon Landry (6). Dwayne Bowe (23). Craig Davis (30). Chase Pittman (213).
2006Ohio St.111.5A.J. Hawk (5). Donte Whitner (8). Bobby Carpenter (18). Santonio Holmes (25). Nick Mangold (29). Ashton Youboty (70). Anthony Schlegel (76). Nate Salley (121). Rob Sims (128).
2005Auburn89.3Ronnie Brown (2). Cadillac Williams (5). Carlos Rogers (9). Jason Campbell (25). Jay Ratliff (224).
2004Miami (FL)114.8Sean Taylor (5). Kellen Winslow Jr. (6). Jonathan Vilma (12). D.J. Williams (17). Vernon Carey (19). Vince Wilfork (21). Darrell McClover (213). Alfonso Marshall (215). Carlos Joseph (254).
2003Miami (FL)86Andre Johnson (3). Jerome McDougle (15). Willis McGahee (23). William Joseph (25). Andrew Williams (89). Jamaal Green (131). Matt Walters (150). Ken Dorsey (241).
2002Miami (FL)103.3Bryant McKinnie (7). Jeremy Shockey (14). Phillip Buchanon (17). Ed Reed (24). Mike Rumph (27). Clinton Portis (51). Martin Bibla (116). Najeh Davenport (135). James Lewis (183). Joaquin Gonzalez (227). Daryl Jones (226).
2001Miami (FL)76.8Dan Morgan (11). Damione Lewis (12). Santana Moss (16). Reggie Wayne (30). James Jackson (65). Leonard Myers (200). Andre King (245).
2000Tennessee102.6Jamal Lewis (5). Shaun Ellis (12). Raynoch Thompson (41). Chad Clifton (44). Dwayne Goodrich (49). Cosey Coleman (51). Deon Grant (57). Darwin Walker (71). Tee Martin (163).
1999Florida73.3Jevon Kearse (16). Reggie McGrew (24). Mike Peterson (36). Johnny Rutledge (51). Zach Piller (81). Tony George (91). Travis McGriff (93). Terry Jackson (157).
1998Florida St.89.1Andre Wadsworth (3). Tra Thomas (11). Sam Cowart (39). Samari Rolle (46). E.G. Green (71). Greg Spires (83). Julian Pittman (99). Shevin Smith (184). Kevin Long (229).
1997Florida St.93.2Peter Boulware (4). Walter Jones (6). Warrick Dunn (12). Reinard Wilson (14). Henri Crockett (100). Vernon Crawford (159). Byron Capers (225).
1996USC71.4Keyshawn Johnson (1). John Michels (27). Israel Ifeanyi (46). Johnny McWilliams (64). Norbert Davidds-Garrido (106). Kyle Wachholtz (240).
1995Colorado90.2Michael Westbrook (4). Rashaan Salaam (21). Christian Fauria (39). Ted Johnson (57). Kordell Stewart (60). Darius Holland (65). Chris Hudson (71). Derek West (149). Shannon Clavelle (185). Tony Berti (200).
1994Notre Dame86.8Bryant Young (7). Aaron Taylor (16). Jeff Burris (27). Tim Ruddy (65). Jim Flanigan (74). Willie Clark (82). Lake Dawson (92). John Covington (133). Tony Peterson (153). Pete Bercich (211).
1993Notre Dame114Rick Mirer (2). Jerome Bettis (10). Tom Carter (17). Irv Smith (20). Demetrious DuBose (34). Reggie Brooks (45). Devon McDonald (107). Lindsay Knapp (130). Craig Hentrich (200).
1992Washington80.3Steve Emtman (1). Dana Hall (18). Ed Cunningham (61). Siupeli Malamala (68). Aaron Pierce (69). Orlando McKay (130). Mario Bailey (162). Brett Collins (314). Don Jones (245). Kris Rongen (290). Chico Fraley (319).
1991Miami (FL)78.8Russell Maryland (1). Randal Hill (23). Shane Curry (40). Wesley Carroll (42). Robert Bailey (107). Mike Sullivan (153). Roland Smith (220). Alex Johnson (325). Randy Bethel (251). Luis Cristobal (278).
1990USC80Junior Seau (5). Mark Carrier (6). Dan Owens (35). Tim Ryan (61). William Schultz (94). Leroy Holt (137). Scott Galbraith (178). Aaron Emanuel (191). Brad Leggett (219). Ernest Spears (267).
1989UCLA73.7Troy Aikman (1). Carnell Lake (34). Eric Ball (35). Darryl Henley (53). Jim Wahler (94). Marcus Turner (283). Eric Smith (326).
1988Miami (FL)96.5Bennie Blades (3). Michael Irvin (11). Danny Stubbs (33). Brian Blades (49). Brett Perriman (52). Matt Patchan (64). Darrell Fullington (124). Melvin Bratton (153). Warren Williams (155). Alfredo Roberts (197). Derwin Jones (269). George Jr. Mira (331)
1987Miami (FL)108.1Vinny Testaverde (1). Alonzo Highsmith (3). Jerome Brown (9). Gregg Rakoczy (32). Winston Moss (50). Paul O'Connor (140). Darryl Oliver (297).
1986Auburn74.8Bo Jackson (1). Gerald Robinson (14). Gerald Williams (36). Steve Wallace (101). Jeff Parks (114). Lewis Colbert (196). Harold Hallman (270).
1985Wisconsin77.5Al Toon (10). Richard Johnson (11). Darryl Sims (20). Scott Bergold (51). Dan Turk (101). Jeff Dellenbach (111). Gary Ellerson (182). Kevin Belcher (186). Ken Stills (209). Jim Melka (330). Bret Pearson (329).
1984Texas80.3Mossy Cade (6). Ed Williams (43). Doug Dawson (45). Fred Acorn (57). Rick McIvor (80). Craig Curry (93). Eric Holle (117). Jitter Fields (123). Jeff Leiding (129). John Haines (180). Ray Woodard (199). David Jones (214)
1983USC81.4Bruce Matthews (9). Joey Browner (19). Don Mosebar (26). George Achica (57). August Curley (94). Kelly Thomas (99). Riki Ellison (117). Byron Darby (120). Jeff Simmons (171). Troy West (200). John Harvey (327).
1982Texas88.3Kenneth Sims (1). Bruce Scholtz (33). Terry Tausch (39). Lawrence Sampleton (47). Rodney Tate (110). Mike Baab (115). Vance Bedford (119). William Graham (127). Joe Shearin (181). A.J. Jones (202). John Goodson (209). Mike Hatchett (230)
1981Pittsburgh106.2Hugh Green (7). Randy McMillan (12). Mark May (20). Rickey Jackson (51). Greg Meisner (63). Carlton Williamson (65). Russ Grimm (69). Bill Neill (115). Lynn Thomas (121). Benjie Pryor (120). Jerry Boyarsky (128). Rick Trocano (292)
1980USC98.6Anthony Munoz (3). Brad Budde (11). Charles White (27). Larry McGrew (45). Myron Lapka (64). Ray Butler (88). Dennis Johnson (92). Paul McDonald (109). Chris Foote (144).
1979UCLA64Manu Tuiasosopo (18). Jerry Robinson (21). James Owens (29). Theotis Brown (35). Johnny Lynn (98). Max Montoya (168). Bruce Davis (294).
1978Notre Dame84.1Ken MacAfee (7). Ross Browner (8). Luther Bradley (11). Willie Fry (49). Ernie Hughes (79). Ted Burgmeier (111). Doug Becker (268). Steve McDaniels (249).
1977USC113.9Ricky Bell (1). Marvin Powell (4). Gary Jeter (5). Dave Lewis (29). Shelton Diggs (120). Donnie Hickman (130). Mike Burns (141). Vince Evans (140). Ron Bush (181). Eric Williams (216). Clint Strozier (222). Dave Farmer (287)
1976Oklahoma97.3Lee Roy Selmon (1). Joe Washington (4). Billy Brooks (11). Dewey Selmon (60). Tinker Owens (95). Jimbo Elrod (144). Tony DiRienzo (212).
1975Ohio St.78.2Kurt Schumacher (12). Doug France (20). Neal Colzie (24). Peter Cusick (66). Steve Luke (88). Champ Henson (89). Bruce Elia (100). Jim Cope (119). Doug Plank (291). Dave Hazel (261). Steve Myers (275). Larry O'Rourke (354)
1974Tennessee St.96.7Too Tall Jones (1). Waymond Bryant (4). John Holland (29). Greg Kindle (33). Carl Wafer (42). Ed Gatewood (331).
1973Purdue91.4Dave Butz (5). Otis Armstrong (9). Darryl Stingley (19). Gary Hrivnak (48). Steve Baumgartner (51). Gregg Bingham (79). Brent Myers (153). Donn Smith (173).
1972Notre Dame90.4Walt Patulski (1). Clarence Ellis (15). Mike Kadish (25). Fred Swendsen (53). Eric Patton (86). Tom Gatewood (107). Ralph Stepaniak (157). Mike Zikas (177).
1971Grambling St.90.8Richard Harris (5). Frank Lewis (8). Sam Holden (31). Scott Lewis (42). Virgil Robinson (46). Joe Carter (80). Willie Armstrong (109). Coleman Zeno (434).
1970Oklahoma62.9Steve Zabel (6). Jim Files (13). Steve Owens (19). Ken Mendenhall (116). Jack Porter (187). Joe Killingsworth (420).
1969Notre Dame78.3George Kunz (2). Jim Seymour (10). Terry Hanratty (30). Bob Kuechenberg (80). Jim Winegardner (119). Ed Tuck (141). Bob Gladieux (188). Eric Norri (269). Bob Belden (308). John Lavin (309). Tom Quinn (325).
1968USC122.2Ron Yary (1). Mike Taylor (10). Tim Rossovich (14). Mike Hull (16). Earl McCullouch (24). Adrian Young (68). Dennis Crane (94). Gary Magner (101). James Ferguson (439). Chip Oliver (298). Steve Grady (438).
1967Michigan St.113.7Bubba Smith (1). Clint Jones (2). George Webster (5). Gene Washington (8). Jeff Richardson (146). Jim Summers (217). Charlie Thornhill (232). Dick Kenney (358).
1966Kentucky90.1Rick Norton (2). Sam Ball (14). Bob Windsor (26). Rick Kestner (47). Rodger Bird (63). Doug Davis (72). Rich Kestner (155).
1965Illinois76Dick Butkus (3). George Donnelly (13). Archie Sutton (15). Bill Minor (83). Dave Powless (117). Gregg Schumacher (170). Dave Powless (225).
1964Nebraska88.7Bob Brown (2). Lloyd Voss (11). John Kirby (16). Rudy Johnson (57). Willie Ross (90). Larry Kramer (133). Bob Hohn (154). Monte Kiffin (202). Larry Kramer (204). Bob Jones (242).
1963Michigan St.110Dave Behrman (4). Ed Budde (4). Lonnie Sanders (22). Jim Kanicki (23). George Saimes (48). Bill Zorn (85). Dave Herman (110). Jim Bobbitt (135). Herb Paterra (140). Ernie Clark (180).
1962Michigan67Bennie McRae (21), George Mans (53), John Schopf (54), Bill Tunnicliff (63), Jon Schopf (70), Ken Tureaud (102), Todd Grant (122), Scott Maentz (134), Bill Tunnicliff (161), Ken Tureaud (178), George Mans (187), Bob Brown (276)
1961Syracuse88.6Art Baker (14). Tom Gilburg (21). Bruce Tarbox (25). Al Bemiller (51). Fred Mautino (53). John Brown (55). Fred Mautino (59). Ken Ericson (139). John Brown (175).
1960LSU89.5Billy Cannon (1). Johnny Robinson (3). Warren Rabb (15). Max Fugler (94). Mel Branch (118).
1959Baylor78.8Paul Dickson (9). Buddy Humphrey (16). Charley Horton (18). Larry Hickman (31). Dick Clark (92). Bill Pavliska (139). Al Witcher (152). Austin (Goose) Gonsoulin (203). Bob Spain (284).
1958Michigan St.83.6Dan Currie (3). Walt Kowalczyk (6). Jim Ninowski (49). Bob Jewett (53). Jim Wulff (72). Tony Kolodziej (152). Hal Dukes (155). Archie Matsos (189). Les Rutledge (233). Larry Harding (283). Bill Boykin (336).
1957Oklahoma60.4Jerry Tubbs (10). Tommy McDonald (31). Jimmy Harris (50). Billy Pricer (65). Ed Gray (75). Bob Derrick (142). Tom Emerson (336).
1956West Virginia78.6Joe Marconi (6). Bruce Bosley (15). Sam Huff (30). Fred Wyant (36). Bobby Moss (49). Bill Underdonk (133).
1955Notre Dame128.8Ralph Guglielmi (4). Frank Varrichione (6). Joe Heap (8). Dick Szymanski (16). Tony Pasquesi (32). Paul Reynolds (41). Sam Palumbo (49). Dan Shannon (63). Bob Ready (279).
1954Notre Dame121.7Art Hunter (3). Johnny Lattner (7). Neil Worden (9). Jim Schrader (20). Fran Paterra (42). Menil Mavraides (45). Tom McHugh (62). Joe Katchik (118). Sam Palumbo (179). Don Penza (211). Entee Shine (322). Joe Bush (331)
1953Maryland93.2Jack Scarbath (3). Dick Modzelewski (16). Lloyd Colteryahn (42). Ed Fullerton (46). Stan Jones (54). John Alderton (77). Lew Weidensaul (88). Bob Morgan (96). Ed O'Connor (258). Art Hurd (291).
1952Michigan St.61.2Bob Carey (13). Bill Hughes (24). Al Dorow (31). Don Coleman (88). Orlando Mazza (127). Marv McFadden (138). Jack Morgan (159). Bill Carey (214). Jim Creamer (251). Frank Kapral (268).
1951Kentucky59.7Bob Gain (5). Walt Yowarsky (29). Al Bruno (32). Bob Pope (130). Bill Leskovar (163). Clay Webb (176). Bill Wanamaker (179). Dom Fucci (210). Dick Martin (331).
1950Notre Dame98.5Leon Hart (1). Jim Martin (26). Larry Coutre (43). Mike Swistowicz (55). Frank Spaniel (58). Ernie Zalejski (62). Billy Gay (85). Walt Grothaus (125). John Helwig (140). Gus Cifelli (239). Ray Espenan (229). Ed Hudak (386)
1949Notre Dame90.7Frank Tripucka (9). Bill Fischer (10). John Panelli (12). Bill Walsh (26). Terry Brennan (51). Bill Wightkin (79). Frank Gaul (193). Don McAuliffe (235).
1948Alabama103.8Harry Gilmer (1). Lowell Tew (4). Vaughn Mancha (5). John Wozniak (34). Ray Richeson (84). Roy (Rebel) Steiner (207).
1947UCLA103.1Cal Rossi (4). Ernie Case (6). Burr Baldwin (20). Don Paul (21). Jerry Shipkey (58). Roy Kurrasch (68). Mike Dimitro (113). Bernie Reiges (183). Leon McLaughlin (193).
1946Notre Dame170.4Boley Dancewicz (1). Johnny Lujack (4). George Connor (5). Emil Sitko (10). Elmer Angsman (16). Ed Mieszkowski (52). Pete Berezney (58). Bob Skoglund (79). Joe Signaigo (90). George Strohmeyer (120). Bob Palladino (130). Fred Rovai (131)
1945Notre Dame126.2Frank Szymanski (6). John Yonakor (9). John Adams (23). Jack Zilly (32). Corwin Clatt (45). Jim Mello (47). Gerry Cowhig (48). Ziggy Czarobski (55). Bill Huber (88). Herb Coleman (113). George Connor (145). John Creevey (159)
1944Notre Dame89.6Angelo Bertelli (1). Creighton Miller (3). Vic Kulbitski (58). Matthew Bolger (79). John Perko (96). Pat Filley (119). Bob McBride (196). Ray Kuffel (198). John Creevey (218). John McGinnis (253). Bill Earley (275). Russ Ashbaugh (283)
1943Boston Col.80.1Mike Holovak (5). Don Currivan (18). Fred Naumetz (20). Harry Connolly (37). Rocco Canale (72). Joe Repko (107). Wally Boudreau (219).
1942Texas100.6Spec Sanders (6). Vern Martin (11). Mal Kutner (26). Mike Sweeney (42). Chal Daniel (44). Preston Flanagan (67). Noble Doss (93). Pete Layden (128). Buddy Jungmichel (138). Jackie Crain (154).
1941Texas A&M88.8John Kimbrough (2). Jim Thomason (5). Marion Pugh (16). Marshall Robnett (43). Bill Conatser (141). Ernie Pannell (146). Charley Henke (201).
1940USC100.3Doyle Nave (6). Grenny Lansdell (10). Bill Fisk (21). Harry Smith (36). Bob Winslow (56). Bob Hoffman (78). Howard Stoecker (98). Phil Gaspar (109). Ambrose Schindler (119).
1939TCU100.1Ki Aldrich (1). Davey O'Brien (4). I.B. Hale (8). Forrest Kline (75). Johnny Hall (79). Allie White (114).
1938Indiana65Corby Davis (1). Frank Filchock (14). Jim Sirtosky (76). Bob Kenderdine (95).
1937Nebraska78.2Sam Francis (1). Lloyd Cardwell (7). Les McDonald (8).
1936Stanford81.4Keith Topping (11). Wes Muller (19). Bobby Grayson (21). Bob Reynolds (52). Bob (Bones) Hamilton (67). Monk Moscrip (76). Niels Larsen (77).

Some thoughts:

  • Twelve different times, more draft capital was spent on Notre Dame players than on any other school. That’s the most, and only USC (9) and Miami (7) pulled off that feat in more than four drafts.
  • From 2001 to 2004, Miami had the top draft value in each year. That’s an unmatched streak of success, which even outstrips the team’s 46-4 record on the field from 2000 to 2003. Over those four years, the Hurricanes won just one national championship (in 2001), but finished 2nd overall in 2000 and 2002.
  • The Crimson Tide’s streak of three straight seasons will likely end this year, but that’s still an amazing accomplishment. Other than Miami, the only other school to have three consecutive top seasons was Notre Dame (1944-1946).
  • Over the last 20 years, five different SEC schools – Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Tennessee, and Florida — have held the top spot in a given season. Meanwhile, the Pac-10/12, Big Ten, ACC, and Big East have had just one team each (USC, Ohio State, Florida State, and Miami – remember, the Hurricanes were in the Big East up until 2004). The only other conference with multiple teams with #1 seasons was the Big 12, with Oklahoma and…. are you sitting down? …. Colorado! To say that the Buffaloes have fallen on hard times would be an understatement — they’ve gone 29-70 over the last eight seasons. And now they’re in the Pac-12. But in 1995, the Buffaloes had two first round picks (Michael Westbrook, Rashaan Salaam), three seconds (Christian Fauria, Ted Johnson, and Kordell Stewart), and three thirds (Darius Holland and Chris Hudson).
  • One might look at this list and conclude that the NFL was a bit quicker to get past segregation than say, the Southeastern Conference. In 1971 and 1974, a pair of HBCUs sent the most valuable groups of players to the pros. The idea that Grambling or Tennessee State could do that today is laughable; the vast majority of players that would have gone to an HBCU 40 years ago now would wind up in the SEC. But in 1971, Grambling was responsible for two of the top ten picks in the draft and three more in the top 50. But that was a long time ago: the last time Grambling had a top-50 pick was when Minnesota took a different Robert Smith in 1984, and the last first round pick out of Grambling was quarterback Doug Williams. In 1974,Tennessee State had the number one and number four picks in the draft, along with three others in the top 50. Tennessee State has had just one player go in the top 50 since 1978, although it was pretty recently: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was a first rounder in 2008.

References

References
1 Note that I have excluded all supplemental drafts.  I know, Cornhusker fans, you’re very disappointed that you can’t add Mike Rozier to the 1-2 punch of Irving Fryar and Dean Steinkuhler.
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