Colleges with the most No. 1 overall NFL draft picks may surprise you

In college football, there are certain programs that stand out above the rest because of their historical significance to the NCAA. Schools like Alabama and Georgia often have multiple players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.

However, it takes a special program to produce multiple No. 1 overall picks. ESPN released a list of the schools with the most NFL No. 1 overall picks, and it might surprise you.

1. USC (6)
2. Georgia (5)
3. Notre Dame (5)
4. Oklahoma (5)
5. Auburn (4)
6. Stanford (4)

Others with multiple No. 1 overall picks include Texas, Ohio State and LSU. Then nine other schools tied with two. One of those programs with two who you’d assume had more No.1 picks is Alabama.

Whether Nick Saban or Paul “Bear” Bryant, with 12 National championships combined in Tuscaloosa, it’s a wonder how they managed to have more players drafted first. Saban had one at Alabama when Bryce Young was drafted by the Carolina Panthers. Harry Gilmer was drafted No. 1 in 1948, a few years before Bryant’s arrival.

Of the top teams with four or more, one stands out from the crowd. Stanford isn’t known as a “football” school but every now and again they can surprise. All of Standford’s No. 1 picks have been quarterbacks including Bobby Garrett (1954), Jim Plunkett (1971), John Elway (1983)  and Andrew Luck (2012).

None of the other schools in the top six can say that. Also, Texas having only three and not having a No. 1 overall pick since DE Kenneth Sims (1982) is a bit shocking. While the Longhorns' success has been down the past decade, they are still considered one of college football's blue blood programs.

The only rhyme or reason for this is that the top-tier talent has traditionally come from the best programs in the nation. While Stanford may not be viewed as a football school, they are one of the top academic schools in the country. And every now and then they get a player who excels in football and the classroom.

As time has moved on, we’ve seen more players from smaller schools begin to creep up in the draft. In April’s draft, we saw Quinyon Mitchell from Toledo selected No. 22 overall by the Philadelphia Eagles. Drake Maye was drafted third overall by the New England Patriots. UNC isn’t a small school but more known for top basketball talent.

The college football talent pool might be more spread out than ever, especially in this NIL era, but the bulk of the NFL’s top-drafted talent still goes through the powerhouses.