Published May 4, 2017
NFL Draft by the decade: How does Alabama stack up?
Mark Pszonak
Rivals.com

With four more first-round selections in last week’s NFL Draft, Alabama has already accumulated 21 during this decade.

But is this shaping up as the most successful NFL Draft run in the last 50 years? The Crimson Tide need to have six players selected in the first round over the next two years to surpass Miami's amazing run in the 2000s.

Rivals.com takes a look back to see how Alabama’s current success compares with the previous four decades.

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1970s

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First-round NFL Draft picks in the 1970s
SchoolNumber of picks

Ohio State

15

USC

13

Notre Dame

9

The 1970s were dominated by traditional powers, as Ohio State, USC, Notre Dame and Michigan led the way. At the top were the Buckeyes with 15 first-round selections. Only three of these picks were in the top five, though, with Tom Cousineau being the top overall selection in 1979.

USC checked in at No. 2 with 13 first-round selections. The Trojans' decade was highlighted in 1977 when three players were selected in the top five, including Ricky Bell at No. 1.

The Irish and Wolverines then followed with nine and eight first-round draft picks, respectively, while seven programs produced seven first-round picks: Nebraska, Oklahoma, Miami, Arizona State, Colorado, Purdue and Alabama. Considering how the SEC is regarded in 2017, it is interesting that Alabama was the only program from the current conference in the top 11 during the 1970’s.

1980s

First-round NFL Draft picks in the 1980s
SchoolNumber of picks

USC

16

Pittsburgh

14

Florida

11

USC proved to be the most dominant first-round program in the 1980s with 16 selections in the decade. Included in this group were NFL greats such as Ronnie Lott, Anthony Munoz and Marcus Allen.

What may come as a surprise to many people is that nipping on the Trojans’ heels was Pittsburgh, with 14 selections. This group included six top-10 choices and was headlined by Hugh Green, Bill Maas and Bill Fralic.

Florida also made a move in the '80s with 11 selections, while Miami and Oklahoma both produced 10. Rounding out the top group were Penn State and Tennessee, which both produced nine.

1990s

First-round NFL Draft picks in the 1990s
SchoolNumber of picks

Ohio State

15

Florida State

13

Miami

12

After producing the most first-round picks in the '70s and then producing only six during the '80s, the Buckeyes rebounded in the '90s with a decade-leading 15. A few of the first-round success stories coming out of Columbus during this decade were Eddie George, Orlando Pace, Joey Galloway and Antoine Winfield.

The decade was also when Florida State started to make a power move in the NFL Draft, as the Seminoles produced 13 first-round picks. Some of the more notable of these were Derrick Brooks, Terrell Buckley, Walter Jones and Marvin Jones.

Closing out the top group with 12 first-round picks were Miami, Tennessee and USC, followed by Notre Dame with 11 and Florida with 10.

2000s

First-round NFL Draft picks in the 2000s
SchoolNumber of picks

Miami

26

Ohio State

16

USC

15

The first decade of this century was dominated by “The U." With an amazing 26 selections in the first round, the Canes owned the NFL Draft. Even more impressive is that 24 of these selections came from 2001 to 2007. Included in this flood of success were many household names such as Reggie Wayne, Santana Moss, Jeremy Shockey, Ed Reed, Sean Taylor, Andre Johnson and Vince Wilfork.

In second place, with 16 first-round picks, was Ohio State, which continued its steadily impressive output. Their decade was highlighted in 2006 when they had five Buckeyes go in the first round, including Santonio Holmes and Nick Mangold. They were followed up by USC with 15, Florida State and Texas with 13 and then Tennessee with 11.

2010s

First-round NFL Draft picks in the 2010s
SchoolNumber of picks

Alabama

21

Florida

12

Ohio State

11

While the first decade of this century was owned by Miami, the current decade is all about Roll Tide. Alabama already has 21 first-round selections, and with two drafts remaining the Tide has a great opportunity to pass the Canes' 26 total from last decade.

Some of the more memorable Tide players to be drafted during the last eight drafts include Julio Jones, Marcell Dareus, Amari Cooper and Hasean Clinton-Dix.

Chasing the Tide is Florida, which has produced 12 first-round picks, Ohio State, which has 11 picks including eight in the last two drafts and then Florida State, LSU and Texas A&M, which have all produced nine.