Published May 17, 2016
The top NFL Draft programs
Mike Farrell and Mark Pszonak
Rivals.com

Before the 2016 NFL Draft, we took a look at the college football programs that have produced the most first-rounders since 2011, an obvious recruiting tool and bragging right. However, how did the recent draft affect those numbers and where does Ohio State now stand after putting five players into Round 1? Here’s a new breakdown.

RELATED: Top NFL Draft producers 2011 - 2015

1. ALABAMA: 15 FIRST-ROUND PICKS SINCE 2011

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2016 Draft: One first-round selection

The skinny: The Crimson Tide easily held onto the top spot despite only adding one first rounder, Ryan Kelly, who went No. 18 to Indianapolis. Having only one first-rounder was somewhat of a surprise, however, as Reggie Ragland, Jarran Reed and A’Shawn Robinson all had the potential to join Kelly, but slipped into the second round.

Farrell’s take: It was actually a surprise that Alabama didn’t extend this lead greatly because I was sure Ragland and/or Reed and Robinson would go in Round 1. In fact, it wouldn't have been a surprise if the Crimson Tide produced four first-round selections. But don’t fret, ‘Bama fans, Cameron Robinson, Tim Williams, Jonathan Allen, O.J. Howard, Eddie Jackson and even Da’Shawn Hand, who hasn’t even been a full-time starter yet, are all high on early 2017 NFL boards.

T2. FLORIDA: 8 FIRST-ROUND PICKS SINCE 2011

2016 Draft: Two first-round selections

The skinny: The Gators make a move into a tie for second with Vernon Hargreaves being selected at No. 11 by Tampa Bay and Keanu Neal being selected at No. 17 by Atlanta, while Jonathan Bullard, who had first-round potential, slipped to the third round. Overall, it was an impressive draft for Florida, as seven Gators were selected.

Farrell’s take: Despite some struggles on the field prior to last season, the Gators still produce and Bullard could have been a first-rounder despite falling to round three. Jalen Tabor and Jarrad Davis are both high on the NFL radar for next year.

T2. FLORIDA STATE: 8 FIRST-ROUND PICKS SINCE 2011

2016 Draft: One first-round selection

The skinny: Aside from Jalen Ramsey, who was selected with the No. 5 pick by Jacksonville, the Seminoles’ were less productive than their norm, with only one other player selected in the entire draft, Roberto Aguayo. Even so, they have still produced the second-most first rounders since 2011.

Farrell’s take: Ramsey was a lock to add one to the ‘Noles number. For next year, Dalvin Cook and Roderick Johnson are two guys, among others, high on the NFL watch list.

T2. OHIO STATE: 8 FIRST-ROUND PICKS SINCE 2011

2016 Draft: Five first-round selections

The skinny: The story of the 2016 NFL Draft was the success attained by Ohio State, as Joey Bosa, Ezekiel Elliott, Eli Apple, Taylor Decker and Darron Lee were all selected in the first round. With five more players being drafted in the following two rounds, the Buckeyes once again showed that they are an elite NFL-producing program.

Farrell’s take: Things will slow down next year, but they have to after such an amazing run in 2016. This will help recruiting even more, as if Urban Meyer needs the help. Raekwon McMillan and Pat Elflein are both first-round possibilities next year.

T2. TEXAS A&M: 8 FIRST-ROUND PICKS SINCE 2011

2016 Draft: One first-round selection

The skinny: Germain Ifedi continued the recent strong showing by the Aggies of producing first round offensive line draft picks when he was selected by Seattle at No. 31. The Aggies only had two more picks in the entire draft, but their top end production has continued to be elite in recent years.

Farrell’s take: The consistency of the Aggies producing first-rounders is amazing and there’s a guy named Myles Garrett out there who could be the top pick in the draft in 2017, so that trend will continue. Safety Armani Watts could also slide in there next year.

T6. LSU: 6 FIRST-ROUND PICKS SINCE 2011

2016 Draft: Zero first-round selections

The skinny: Oddly, this was the second consecutive draft that the Tigers did not have a first round pick, but their production from 2011 to 2014 is still enough to keep them high on this list. The Tigers did have a few players who had to potential to be first-rounders, but it was Deion Jones who became the highest pick at No. 52 in the second round.

Farrell’s take: Watch out for next year as Leonard Fournette, Tre’Davious White, Jamal Adams, Malachi Dupre, Ethan Pocic and many others are in the first-round mix for next year. In fact, it could be as a big a year for LSU in 2017 as it was for Ohio State this past draft.

T6. NOTRE DAME: 6 FIRST-ROUND PICKS SINCE 2011

2016 Draft: Two first-round selections

The skinny: Moving into a tie with LSU is Notre Dame, which added two first-rounders this year with Ronnie Stanley going at No. 6 to Baltimore and Will Fuller going at No. 21 to Houston. With Zack Martin and Michael Floyd being the last two Notre Dame first-rounders at offensive line and wide receiver, respectively, the Ravens and Texans are hoping their selections this year will achieve the same level of success in the NFL.

Farrell’s take: The biggest name on the 2017 radar for Notre Dame is Mike McGlinchey and I love this kid, enough where I think he could slide ahead of Robinson as the top offensive tackle in the draft. Notre Dame continues to produce first-rounders that impact.

T8. BAYLOR: 5 FIRST-ROUND PICKS SINCE 2011

2016 Draft: One first-round selection

The skinny: With Corey Coleman being selected at No. 15 by Cleveland, the Bears continued to prove they are now one of the more consistent producers of top-level NFL talent in the country. Andrew Billings slipping to the fourth round was somewhat of a surprise, but overall it still proved to be a productive draft for Baylor with six players being selected.

Farrell’s take: This was supposed to be the big year for Baylor with Coleman and Billings as projected first-rounders by many and the Shawn Oakman buzz early. Billings sliding to the fourth was stunning and I don’t see any surefire first-rounders for 2017 yet.

T8. CLEMSON: 5 FIRST-ROUND PICKS SINCE 2011

2016 Draft: One first-round selection

The skinny: The selection of Shaq Lawson by Buffalo at No. 19 keeps the Tigers on this listing. Not surprisingly, it was a strong draft showing for the program overall, as three more players were selected in the second round and nine players were selected overall. Look for this to become the norm in Death Valley as the level of talent coming out of the program has continued to improve.

Farrell’s Take: This number is going to jump like crazy next year with DeShaun Watson, Mike Williams, Carlos Watkins, Cordrea Tankersley and possibly Jordan Leggett as potential first-rounders. Heck, Clemson is producing so much talent others could emerge and they should be pushing for No. 2 on this list very soon.

T8. GEORGIA: 5 FIRST-ROUND PICKS SINCE 2011

2016 Draft: One first-round selection

The skinny: Leonard Floyd’s selection at No. 9 by Chicago may have been a little higher than most expected, but it continued to cement the Bulldogs position as a major and consistent producer of top-level talent. Overall, the Bulldogs produced five draft selections this year, matching the total they produced in 2015.

Farrell’s Take: Can Nick Chubb recover enough to land in round one? That’s a big question that needs answering, but right now it looks like he’s the best chance for a first-rounder for 2017. However, the Bulldogs are recruiting off the hook and over the next few years this number jumps.

T8. LOUISVILLE: 5 FIRST-ROUND PICKS SINCE 2011

2016 Draft: One first-round selection

The skinny: While Sheldon Rankins was selected at No. 12 by New Orleans, overall it was a disappointing draft year for the Cardinals. After having 10 players get drafted in 2015, the Rankins selection turned out to be the only pick of a Louisville player this year. Even with this, their overall production since 2011 has been impressive.

Farrell’s Take: Devonte Fields could keep this tradition going as Louisville is one of the more consistent and surprising programs to produce first-rounders. Even with no additional picks at all in the draft, having a guy like Rankins picked so high helps recruiting.

T8. NORTH CAROLINA: 5 FIRST-ROUND PICKS SINCE 2011

2016 Draft: Zero first-round selections

The skinny: During the original listing, the Tar Heels were considered one of the pleasant surprises with five first-round selections since 2011. However, the 2016 Draft was the second consecutive year in which the Tar Heels did not produce even one selection in the entire draft. This in turn is a negative surprise, as during 2013 and 2014 the Tar Heels produced a total of 10 selections.

Farrell’s Take: The first-round drought for UNC is expected to continue next season as I don’t see anyone that projects that high right now. However, the Heels are coming off one of their best seasons ever, so who cares? Caleb Peterson could be a guy to keep an eye on for 2017.

T8. OREGON: 5 FIRST-ROUND PICKS SINCE 2011

2016 Draft: One first-round selection

The skinny: DeForest Buckner became the second Oregon defensive end to get selected in the first round over the last two years, following Arik Armstead in 2015. However, after getting five players selected in each of the previous three drafts, the Ducks only saw one other player get picked this year, Joe Walker in the seventh round.

Farrell’s Take: Oregon keeps turning them out, but this number could fall over the next few years unless the program gets back to elite status. I could see many teams surpassing them on this list, but they still have wide receiver Darren Carrington, who could land in Round 1 next year.

T8. USC: 5 FIRST-ROUND PICKS SINCE 2011

2016 Draft: Zero first-round selections

The skinny: With Su’a Cravens being the only realistic option at USC to be selected in the first round this year, it was never going to be a big draft for the Trojans. Cravens ended up being selected in the second round by Washington, which still leaves the Trojans with five first-round selections since 2011.

Farrell’s take: USC missed this year but with JuJu Smith-Schuster and Adoree' Jackson both high on NFL radars, that will change soon. And with so many high-level prospects continuing to flock to USC, watch for them to shoot up this list over the next few years.

T8. WASHINGTON: 5 FIRST-ROUND PICKS SINCE 2011

2016 Draft: Zero first-round selections

The skinny: After producing three first-round draft selections in 2015, the Huskies were unable to produce any this year. While Washington is an improving program, producing three first-round selections in a draft should not be considered the norm. However, with an influx of young talent in the program, look for them to find their way back into the first round soon.

Farrell’s take: It might not be 2017 unless Sidney Jones lands in Round 1, but Washington is still one of the surprises on this list, and this is a great recruiting tool for the program. Plus, Marcus Peters’ early NFL dominance sure helps recruit defensive backs.

T8. WISCONSIN: 5 FIRST-ROUND PICKS SINCE 2011

2016 Draft: Zero first-round selections

The skinny: Wisconsin is another program that was a pleasant surprise to make the original listing of schools, but was unable to add to their total in 2016. Joe Schobert was the lone Badger with a chance to slip into the first round, but he was left on the outside looking in as he was selected in the fourth round by Cleveland.

Farrell’s Take: Corey Clement has an outside chance to go in the first round with a monster season, but it is looking like Wisconsin is a longshot for a 2017 first-rounder right now. I expect them to slide along with UNC on this list, but it’s still a great showing and recruiting tool for the Badgers.

DROPPED OUT: AUBURN, MISSOURI

The skinny: Neither of the Tigers were able to produce a first-round draft pick this year, dropping them from the list. Both did have three of their players selected in the draft, with Evan Boehm being the highest from Missouri in the fourth round and Shon Coleman being the highest from Auburn in the third round.

Farrell’s take: Both schools will have a great opportunity to produce at least one first rounder next year as Charles Harris from Missouri and Carl Lawson from Auburn are both being projected as possible high picks, but Mizzou could slide as others rise here. Auburn has some high-end talent aside from Lawson, but they haven’t been developing players as well recently.