The NFL Draft is over and, as always, we look at the winners when it comes to the draft results. This is a pretty easy list to compile but the order is hard.
HIT OR MISS: Rivals does a self-scout on rankings of 32 first-rounders
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022: Top 100
1. LSU
The Tigers had an amazing draft placing so many players high, led by Joe Burrow at No. 1. LSU produced five first-round picks, five selections on Day 2 and an record-tying 14 overall selections. The Tigers were represented everywhere and it will boost recruiting.
2. OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes were involved with the top three picks in the draft with Burrow, Chase Young and Jeff Okudah. The Buckeyes can lay claim to DBU with two more first rounders and scattered players all over the draft.
3. MICHIGAN
I, like many of you, was surprised that Michigan had as many draft picks as Ohio State. But you have to hand it to the Wolverines. It may not translate to the field like it does with the Buckeyes, but the Wolverines are churning them out.
4. ALABAMA
Alabama could easily be No. 1 on this list with players like Jedrick Wills, Tua Tagovaioloa and many, many others. As usual, if you want to go to the NFL, you go to ‘Bama.
5. GEORGIA
Andrew Thomas went higher than expected, as did Isaiah Wilson. D’Andre Swift was the second running back selected. The Bulldogs don’t have as many picks as LSU or Alabama, but they were still well represented.
6. THE SEC
This was almost comical as the conference ran away with the amount of picks once again. The conference's numbers this year seemed especially dominant. Not only did LSU, Alabama and Georgia add elite prospects to the draft but Florida, South Carolina, Auburn, Kentucky, Texas A&M and more all had big-time picks.
7. TCU
How about Gary Patterson? TCU develops players and he put Jalen Reagor, Jeff Gladney, Ross Blacklock and Lucas Niang high in the draft. Oklahoma does well every year, but TCU has consistently done better in recent years than Texas and others in the Big 12. The Frogs' draft success shouldn't surprise anyone anymore.
8. UTAH
The Utes do an amazing job of developing NFL talent and had as many draft picks as Georgia, Florida and Clemson. Jaylon Johnson, drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round, led the way of players you’ve probably never heard of.
9. CLEMSON
It wasn’t the big splash of last year but the Tigers still easily led the ACC with quality picks. The Tigers just reload and, thanks to their recruiting success, will continue to add to those NFL numbers.
10. FLORIDA
C.J. Henderson went high and Florida added a ton of valuable picks in the second and third rounds. The Gators did a much better job of producing NFL players than Florida State or Miami.
