Colleges with Most NFL Draft Picks by Position

Since 1936, the National Football League (NFL) has held an annual seven-round collegiate player draft in April. Each round features a single pick for each of the 32 clubs. An early 1930s bidding battle for Stan Kostka led to the start of the draft selection process.

In 1994, the NFL Draft was reorganised as a seven-round event; eight in 1993, 12 between 1977 and 1992, and 17 between 1967 and 1976. A number of changes and amendments to the rules have been made to guarantee a smooth run of the drafts while preserving the teams' competitive parity.

Teams may exchange the players for future draft picks, but not the ones who have already been chosen. There are compensatory picks for free agents at the conclusion of the third to seventh rounds, where one to four players can be chosen.

In a single year, Georgia has had the most number of collegiate selections in the draft, with 15 players in 2022, followed by Ohio State and LSU with 14 and Alabama with 12.

Most NFL Draft Picks by Position

According to NFL.com, USC leads in quarterbacks with 17 draft selections, Nebraska with 40 running backs, Miami and USC tie for wide receivers with 40 each, Notre Dame with 21 tight ends and 63 offensive linemen, Miami with 49 defensive linemen, Penn State with 58 linebackers and Ohio State with 53 defensive backs, since 1967.

17 quarterbacks have come out of USC, with Carson Palmer going first overall in the 2003 NFL Draft as their best-drafted player.

40 running backs have come out of Nebraska; Lawrence Phillips, who was selected sixth overall in the 1996 NFL Draft, was the team's best selection at the position. Among the notable alumni is Roger Craig, who played for three San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl winning teams.

Miami and USC each produced 40 wide receivers. Other alumni include USC's Lynn Swann, who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in four Super Bowls, and Miami's Michael Irvin, who was a member of three winning Dallas Cowboys teams.

There have been 21 tight ends produced by Notre Dame, with Tony Hunter, who was selected No. 13 overall in the 1983 NFL Draft, being the best selection at that position. Among the notable alumni is Dave Casper, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is most known for his Oakland Raiders career.

63 offensive linemen is the most for Notre Dame. George Kunz, selected No. 2 overall in the 1969 NFL Draft, was their highest selection at the position. Even though the Philadelphia Eagles selected Bob Kuechenberg in the first round, he had a successful career with the Miami Dolphins.

Miami leads the way in producing defensive linemen with 49. Russell Maryland was their top selection at the position in the 1991 NFL Draft, going first overall. Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees Cortez Kennedy and Warren Sapp are two notable alumni.

With 58, Penn State has the most linebackers. LaVar Arrington, selected second overall in the 2000 NFL Draft, was their highest selection at that position. One notable alumnus is Matt Millen, an NFL player who won four Super Bowl rings.

Ohio State has the most defensive backs, with 53. Shawn Springs, selected third overall in the 1997 NFL Draft, was their highest selection at the position. One of the most feared tacklers in NFL history, Jack Tatum, also referred to as "The Assassin," is among the notable alumni.