Seeds of Success: CFB Programs Producing the Most NFL Talent
One question seemingly gets pondered at the start of each and every college football season: Which is the best conference in the country?
There are many ways to quantify this answer. Of course, wins in big bowl games—and the CFP National Championship—come to mind.
Additionally, an effective measuring stick for this topic is the amount of pros any said team churns out to the NFL.
There are multiple prominent teams with a penchant for developing players into professionals. This piece will look at the seven programs with the most NFL draftees since the year 2000.
Statistics courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.
Florida: 85 Draftees
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"The Ol' Ball Coach" Steve Spurrier helped to lay the groundwork for the success in recruiting with his six SEC championships.
A high caliber of athlete coupled with terrific player development led to a massive amount of Gators in the NFL.
The Urban Meyer era fortified this notion even further—with the eventual drafting of players such as Tim Tebow, Aaron Hernandez, Maurkice Pouncey, Percy Harvin and others.
LSU: 89 Draftees
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The program down in Baton Rouge has a rich and illustrious history of putting players into the league—specifically in the secondary and along the offensive and defensive lines.
Since joining the program in 2005, head coach Les Miles has sent 60 players to the NFL. Fourteen first-round picks have been drafted under Miles' leadership—including former quarterback (and considerable bust) JaMarcus Russell, who went No. 1 overall in the 2007 NFL draft.
Other notable players within this 15-year span include the likes of Glenn Dorsey, Eric Reed, Odell Beckham Jr., Andrew Whitworth, Tyrann Mathieu, Patrick Peterson and Tyson Jackson.
Georgia: 90 Draftees
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Perhaps surprising to some, Georgia comes in as the team in the SEC with the most NFL draftees since 2000.
Of course, the Bulldogs pull from a fertile recruiting base. The talent in the state of Georgia is virtually on par with any other state—relative to its size.
Since Mark Richt has taken over as the head man in Athens, he's sent 74 players to the NFL. It's the second-most for one coach at his current school—with only Frank Beamer surpassing the total (he's sent 90 players to the league while at Virginia Tech).
Matt Stafford is arguably the most well known of the Georgia first-round picks since 2000. He went No. 1 overall in the 2009 NFL draft to the Detroit Lions. Receiver A.J. Green went fourth overall to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011.
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Miami: 93 Draftees
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The "U" is a renowned football factory in terms of producing pros. It's evidenced by a statistical output of 28 first-round picks since 2000.
Some of the most elite talent entering the league had once resided in Coral Gables. Dating back 15 years ago, likely future Hall-of-Famers hailing from Miami include Vince Wilfork, Reggie Wayne, Ed Reed and Andre Johnson.
Interestingly enough, Miami went through a seven-year spell in which the Hurricanes didn't have a first-round selection. Ereck Flowers and Phillip Dorsett were the first first-round picks since 2008—when safety Kenny Phillips was selected by the New York Giants.
Southern Cal: 94 Draftees
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Southern Cal sets the standard for programs on the west coast. when it comes to prestige and pedigree.
Not only are the Trojans the winningest football school in Pac-12 history, but it also produces the most professional talent.
Since 2000, USC has sent considerable star power into the NFL. Signal-caller Carson Palmer was the top overall pick in 2003. Reggie Bush was the second overall draft selection in 2006. Troy Polamalu, Tyron Smith, Matt Leinart, Sedrick Ellis, Matt Kalil, Mark Sanchez, Mike Williams, Leonard Williams and Keith Rivers were also all top-10 selections.
Stud defender Clay Matthews was a first-round pick (after being a former walk-on) in 2009. Linebacker Brian Cushing was also selected in the first round by the Houston Texans.
The common denominator in this equation? Pete Carroll.
Once he took over the USC job in 2001, he routinely prepared and developed his players for the next level. It's a big reason why so many Trojans entered the league as high draft choices during this period.
Florida State: 96 Draftees
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Florida State has been the dominant program in the ACC over the past 15 years—both in terms of winning and sending players to the league.
It's been a particularly good run for current coach Jimbo Fisher. The head coach has gone 58-11 during his time in Tallahassee. FSU recently broke the modern record for the most draft picks in a three-year span, with 29 selections since 2013.
Of course, the headliner of the group is quarterback Jameis Winston—the No. 1 pick from this year's draft. Other standout Seminoles from this time frame include receiver Peter Warrick, defensive lineman Darnell Dockett, pass-catcher Anquan Boldin and defensive back Antonio Cromartie.
Ohio State: 97 Draftees
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Ohio State has produced the most draft choices since 2000—and there are no signs of this trend slowing anytime soon.
For one, this program has been able to develop a stranglehold in the greater Midwest era when it comes to recruiting top talent. Rival Michigan will get its fair share of athletes, but Ohio State has been excellent at keeping the elite talent within Ohio at home—while also cherry-picking prospects out of places such as Texas, Florida, Georgia and elsewhere.
Meyer's penchant for developing players and signing excellent athletes will keep this list growing into the foreseeable future. The national-title win in 2015 certainly won't hurt matters, either.
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