Has LSU ever had a number 1 draft pick?

Louisiana State University's Fighting Tigers play in the FBS, NCAA and SEC. They have four claimed national titles, with the most recent being in 2019, four unclaimed national titles, 16 conference titles and 10 division titles, with the most recent being in 2022.

The Tigers have produced three Heisman winners, Billy Cannon, Joe Burrow and lately, Jaydon Daniels, in the 2023 season. Cannon and Burrow were also the first overall draft picks in 1960 and 2007, respectively.

Their head coach as of April 2024 is Brian Kelly, who's in his third season; the 33rd coach is also among the 12 coaches of the Tigers, who have led the team to postseason bowl games. According to LSU's website, they had no draft picks in 1993, while most first round picks in 2020 were five.

Six LSU players were drafted in the 2023 NFL draft, with the Arizona Cardinals taking linebacker BJ Ojulari in the second round and 41st overall, and the New York Jets taking defensive back Jarrick Bernard-Converse in the sixth round and 204th overall.

LSU Tiger History

The LSU Tigers football team started playing in 1893; it has fielded a team every year, with the exception of 1918 due to World War I. Since 1933, it has participated in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and since 1992, it has participated in the SEC’s Western division.

LSU had previously participated in the Southern Conference (SoCon) from 1922 to 1932 and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) from 1896 to 1921. Beginning with Charles E. Coates in 1893, there have been 32 head coaches and since 2022, Brian Kelly has been the head coach of the Tigers.

Upon the conclusion of the 2023 season, since 1902, LSU had played 1,281 games over the course of 119 seasons, amassing an all-time record of 813 wins, 421 losses, and 47 ties; however, with the adjusted record for any vacated or forfeited titles, they have 778 wins, 417 losses, and 47 ties.

LSU Tigers No. 1 Draft Picks

LSU Tigers have had three No. 1 draft picks: Billy Cannon in the 1960 NFL draft, Jamarcus Russell in the 2007 NFL draft, and Joe Burrow in the 2020 NFL draft.

Billy Cannon and Joe Burrow were both Heisman Trophy winners in 1959 and 2019, respectively. Burrow was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals and was named the 2021 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, while Cannon was selected by the Los Angeles Rams.

Cannon was, however, selected twice in the 1960 NFL as well as the 1960 AFL draft picks. After choosing the AFL, he had a fantastic career with the Houston Oilers and then the Oakland Raiders. Jamarcus Russell was the first draft pick in 2007 by the Oakland Raiders.

Since the NFL started holding drafts in 1936, the LSU Tigers have had 326 players selected, including three overall first-round selections and 42 in the first round.

The following six former LSU players have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Alan Faneca, Kevin Mawae, Johnny Robinson, Jim Taylor, Y. A. Tittle, and Steve Van Buren. The highest number of active rosters in any college program was 40 former LSU players as of the start of the 2015 NFL season.