The SEC In The Draft This Year

By Justin Davis

Arguably the best college football in the nation is played in the SEC. The past four BCS crystal trophies have been hoisted by three different SEC teams, for starters. There is an old saying that goes, "The proof is in the pudding." As the 2010 NFL Draft concludes we have proof that provides a richly thick pudding.

Fourty-nine SEC players were taken in the 2010 NFL Draft. This number is also the highest ever taken in a draft. To the many SEC fans this is not a surprise. Some may even look at the number and say, "That's it?" The fact remains that the SEC still had more players selected than any other conference in the nation. The conference that finished behind the SEC with 34 was the Big 10, continuing to stoke the fires of this conference rivalry. There are still those that need more proof, so here are some numbers to crunch on;

Since 1990, the SEC has had 782 total selections in the NFL Draft, an average of 37.2 selections per year.  The Big Ten is second with 672 selections.     

*Since 1997, the SEC has had 552 total selections in the NFL Draft, an average of 39.4 selections per year.

* The SEC has now led or tied for the most selections in the NFL Draft for 11 of the last 13 seasons and the last four drafts.

*The SEC has had five picks in the top 20 of the first-round four years in a row.

*The SEC has had five picks in the top 20 of the first-round four years in a row.

* The SEC has had three of the top eight picks in NFL draft for fourth straight year and five of last six years.

Wait, there's more. This year all 12 SEC teams had at least one player selected. Leading the way was Florida with nine including Heisman trophy winning and two time National Title winning QB Tim Tebow, who went in the first-round. Reigning National Champions Alabama placed next with seven overall selections. LSU and Tennessee tied at six, UGA stood alone at five and Ole Miss had four. The bottom scrapers were Kentucky at three, while Mississippi St, South Carolina, Auburn and Vandy had two. Arkansas was the only SEC team to not have multiple players selected, but that could change in next years draft.

All players selected filled needs on the team they were selected to. SEC players are ready to play once drafted because most teams use pro style offenses and defenses. However, the proof is in the pudding.