The Southeastern Conference, where the rich get richer and the talent keeps getting better. The "SEC!" chant could be heard echoing through the rafters at Radio City during the first round of the NFL Draft as the best conference in college football produced 12 first-round draft picks. They tied the ACC for most players taken in the first round of a draft. The record was originally set in 2006.
Four SEC players were drafted in the top 10. Tackle Luke Joeckel started things off being taken No. 2 overall to Jacksonville. Barkevious Mingo went No. 6 to the Browns. Then the Alabama draft train got moving as Dee Milliner, Chance Warmack and D.J. Fluker were taken back-to-back-to-back with picks 9-11.
Alabama had the most first-round picks of any school. For those keeping track, Alabama head coach Nick Saban now has more NFL first-round picks than Bear Bryant, in 19 fewer seasons. Bryant produced 13 first-round picks in 25 seasons while coaching the Crimson Tide. Saban already has 14 in his six seasons. While three were taken in the first round, Alabama has the chance to see at least three more players go in the second round with Eddie Lacy, Jesse Williams and Barrett Jones. The 14 first-round picks over five years is just second all-time to Miami's 20 first-round picks between 2000-04.
The SEC reign continued Missouri's defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson was taken by the Jets at No. 13. University of Georgia saw two players go in the first round with Jarvis Jones selected by Pittsburgh and Alec Ogletree drafted by the Rams. Tennessee had one go in the first round as receiver Cordarrelle Patterson went to the Vikings to replace Percy Harvin. Florida had two defensive stars go with Sharrif Floyd went No. 23 and Matt Elam went at No. 32.
As the SEC continued its dominance, the Big 10 saw only one player drafted from the conference in the first round. The Dallas Cowboys drafted center Travis Frederick out of Wisconsin with the No. 31 pick. He was a surprise pick for the Cowboys. In most mock drafts, the Big 10 did not have a single player projected to go in the first round. It is just a reminder that the conference that has won all of the National Championships in recent memory is most likely to produce the most NFL talent.