College Football Teams Best Represented at 2015 NFL Draft
The ultimate goal of a college football player is to hear their name called during the NFL draft, a sign that years of hard work has paid off with a chance to play in the pros.
It's a big deal for the teams to be mentioned on draft day as well, because that means they did their job turning high school athletes into professionals. It may not be a direct indication that the previous season was a success, but it can help ensure future prosperity on the recruiting trail.
When the 2015 NFL draft gets underway Thursday, some schools will have their names called far more than others. These are the ones that produced the most NFL-level talent, and while that might indicate the upcoming year's team is going to have some major holes to fill, it in no way diminishes the pride that comes from seeing so many former players have their dreams fulfilled.
Here's a look at the schools that will be best represented at the NFL draft, using Bleacher Report draft expert Matt Miller's final big board as a guide.
Alabama
1 of 11
Potential draft picks: 8-10
Likely first-round picks: 2-3
First off the board (projected): Amari Cooper, WR
Alabama has been well-represented in the draft throughout Nick Saban's tenure, and this year is no different. Amari Cooper is just one of many talented Alabama products that will hear their names called this weekend, and he almost certainly won't be the only one getting picked during Thursday's first round. The school has had at least two players taken in the opening round in five straight drafts.
"The Crimson Tide has at least eight draft picks each of the last three seasons and if Alabama can produce eight draft picks in the 2015 class, it would mark the first time a collegiate program would achieve at least eight draft picks in four straight years since Notre Dame (1991-94)," CBS Sports' Dane Brugler wrote.
Look for safety Landon Collins and potentially running back T.J. Yeldon to go early, then players like offensive tackle Arie Kouandjio, defensive lineman Xzavier Dickson, receivers DeAndrew White and Christion Jones and even fullback Jalston Fowler to get selected.
The Crimson Tide had eight players taken in the 2014 draft, including first-round picks Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and C.J. Mosley.
Auburn
2 of 11
Potential draft picks: 8-10
Likely first-round picks: None
First off the board (projected): Sammie Coates, WR
When it comes to Auburn's 2015 draft hopefuls, it's less about star power and more about depth. At No. 105 overall, Sammie is the highest-rated player on Matt Miller's big board.
But what the Tigers lack in superstars, they more than make up for in overall talent in the draft pool. Center Reese Dismukes, running back Cameron Artis-Payne, defensive lineman Gabe Wright, tight end C.J. Uzomah and safety Jermaine Whitehead are among a slew of Auburn alums who are likely to get taken.
Even backup running back Corey Grant has a good shot to go in the draft, while former quarterback Nick Marshall has transitioned to cornerback and could be picked up as a project.
Auburn had four players taken in the 2014 draft, including first-round picks Greg Robinson and Dee Ford.
Florida
3 of 11
Potential draft picks: 6-8
Likely first-round picks: 2
First off the board (projected): Dante Fowler, DE
While Florida wasn't able to produce on the field the past two seasons, winning a combined 11 games, it wasn't because of a lack of pro talent. And much of that talent is sitting on NFL teams' draft boards, including several that are high on the list.
Dante Fowler could be the first or second defensive lineman taken on Thursday, and D.J. Humphries is in the same boat when it comes to offensive linemen. If so desired, an NFL team could almost completely stock its offensive line with former Gators, as Humphries is one of four blockers (along with center Max Garcia and guards Trenton Brown and Chaz Green) likely to get taken.
Add running back Matt Jones and defensive tackle Leon Orr to the mix, and as each Florida player gets selected, you'll be wondering more and more how that program struggled so much over the last two years.
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Florida State
4 of 11
Potential draft picks: 10-12
Likely first-round picks: 2-4
First off the board (projected): James Winston, QB
Coming off one of the most successful two-year runs in FBS history over the past two decades, it should come as no surprise that Florida State has a good chance to produce the most draft picks of any program this year. And in fitting fashion, that probably means the Seminoles will be the first team mentioned by commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday night.
Quarterback Jameis Winston is projected to be the No. 1 overall selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in mock drafts from ESPN.com, WalterFootball.com and six NFL.com experts, among others.
But FSU's draft haul is far more than just Winston, as he could be one of four ex-Seminoles to go in the first round. Cornerback Ronald Darby, defensive lineman Eddie Goldman and center Cameron Erving are potential Thursday selections, and the FSU picks will continue throughout with the likes of tight end Nick O'Leary, cornerback P.J. Williams, defensive tackle Mario Edwards, guard Tre' Jackson, receiver Rashad Greene and plenty more.
If FSU gets 11 players drafted—as it did in 2013—it will mean 29 Seminoles will have been taken in the past three years. That would break the modern-day record of 28 over a three-year span held by USC (2008-2010) and Miami (2002-2004), per the school's website.
"The last couple of years, we have probably lost an entire starting NFL football team," FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said, per Brendan Sonnone of the Orlando Sentinel.
Louisville
5 of 11
Potential draft picks: 9-11
Likely first-round picks: 1-2
First off the board (projected): DeVante Parker, WR
Charlie Strong didn't coach Louisville this past season, having moved on to Texas after building up the Cardinals. Yet his impact on that program still remains, as evidenced by arguably the school's best draft class ever, which is saying a lot, considering three Louisville players were taken in last year's first round.
It won't be that many this year, as receiver DeVante Parker is the only surefire first-round pick, but while last year's draft haul was top-heavy—only one other player was taken over the final two days—this time around, the Cardinals will be well-represented on all three draft days.
Safeties Gerod Holliman and James Sample and edge-rusher Lorenzo Mauldin could all go during Friday's second and third rounds, and on Saturday, another half-dozen or so players are potential picks.
LSU
6 of 11
Potential draft picks: 6-8
Likely first-round picks: 1-2
First off the board (projected): La'el Collins, OT
LSU and the NFL draft are well-acquainted, as the Tigers tend to be one of the most-drafted teams on an annual basis, particularly when it comes to players who enter the draft with remaining college eligibility. Another three juniors turned pro from LSU this year, but it may end up being a four-year player who is the first off the board from the school.
Offensive tackle La'el Collins is Matt Miller's No. 21 overall prospect, and his second-best tackle. With 38 starts at tackle or guard over the past three years, Collins has been a key piece of LSU's offense and figures to have a similar impact on whichever NFL team drafts him.
After Collins comes the junior departees in terms of draft position, with safety Jalen Collins potentially going in the first round and linebacker Kwon Alexander and defensive end Danielle Hunter as possible Friday picks.
A few other LSU players could get drafted, such as running backs Kenny Hilliard and Terrence Magee, but after seeing nine Tigers apiece go in 2013 and 2014, the haul figures to be lower this year.
Miami (Florida)
7 of 11
Potential draft picks: 6-8
Likely first-round picks: 1-2
First off the board (projected): Duke Johnson, RB
With the potential for multiple first-round picks for the first time since 2007 and the most draftees since 2012, Miami has cemented itself as the most head-scratching FBS team from this past season. With all that pro talent at their disposal, it's hard to believe the Hurricanes finished 6-7.
"Nobody in Miami wants to dwell on what happened last season, but the upcoming NFL draft could end up sending some unwanted reminders," ESPN's Andrea Adelson wrote.
Running back Duke Johnson, receiver Phillip Dorsett, linebacker Denzel Perryman, tight end Clive Walford and offensive tackle Ereck Flowers could all get drafted in the first three rounds. Beyond that, defensive end Anthony Chickillo, safety Ladarius Gunter and a few more linemen figure to hear their names called this weekend.
Mississippi State
8 of 11
Potential draft picks: 7-9
Likely first-round picks: None
First off the board (projected): Benardrick McKinney, LB
Mississippi State's breakout season in 2014 was fueled by a tremendous class of veterans, ones who had worked their way through the program and developed into potential NFL standouts. Now, the fruits of all that labor will come forth during what could be the Bulldogs' best draft year ever.
Though none are likely to hear their name called during Thursday's first round, the later stages will be filled with Bulldogs. First up will be linebacker Benardrick McKinney and edge-rusher Preston Smith, followed by potential sleepers like defensive tackle Kaleb Eulls, safety Justin Cox, center Dillon Day and running back Josh Robinson.
Robinson, who surprised many by entering the draft after his junior year, "might just have a case for being the most overlooked ball-carrier in the 2015 NFL draft," according to Bleacher Report's Zach Kruse.
Oklahoma
9 of 11
Potential draft picks: 6-8
Likely first-round picks: None
First off the board (projected): Jordan Phillips, DL
Oklahoma's on-field performance in 2014 might have fell far below expectations, but the Sooners weren't lacking in NFL talent, and this will bear out during this weekend's draft.
There won't likely be any Sooners taken in the first round, and if defensive linemen Jordan Phillips slips to the third round, it will mark the second straight year the program is shut out of the the top two rounds. Only four Oklahoma players were drafted last year, none before the fourth round.
This year's draft class is stronger overall than the last few years, though, with tight end Blake Bell, fullback Aaron Ripkowski, defensive end Geneo Grissom and offensive linemen Adam Shead, Tyrus Thompson and Daryl Williams all contenders to get picked.
Oregon
10 of 11
Potential draft picks: 6-8
Likely first-round picks: 2-3
First off the board (projected): Marcus Mariota, QB
Oregon isn't going to be hurting for top-tier players in 2015, but it would have a better chance to match or improve on last year's national runner-up finish if it could have managed to hold onto its overabundance of likely draft picks for another season.
First and foremost is quarterback Marcus Mariota, the reigning Heisman winner who figures to be the second passer taken after Florida State's Jameis Winston. Defensive lineman Arik Armstead and offensive lineman Jake Fisher could give the Ducks three first-round selections, while center Hroniss Grasu and cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu will go in early rounds as well.
Defensive backs Troy Hill and Erick Dargan should also get drafted, and linebackers Derrick Malone and Tony Washington also have a shot.
USC
11 of 11
Potential draft picks: 6-8
Likely first-round picks: 1-2
First off the board (projected): Leonard Williams, DL
If a defensive player ends up going first in the draft, there's a very good chance it will be USC star Leonard Williams. That would mark the Trojans' sixth time going No. 1, but their first since Carson Palmer in 2003, and it would break a tie with Auburn and Notre Dame for the most top picks in draft history.
Even if Williams doesn't go first, he's going to go high and will give USC 78 all-time first-round picks, the most of any college program. Receiver Nelson Agholor could make that 79, but he's more likely a second- or third-round pick.
USC will be well-represented on Friday and Saturday, with running back Javorius Allen, cornerback Josh Shaw, tight end Randall Telfer and linebackers Hayes Pullard and J.R. Tavai adding to the school's FBS-best 487 draft picks.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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