SEC smashes record for most NFL draft picks in 1st round
Associated Press
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CORRECTS LOCATION TO THE PLAINS, OHIO, INSTEAD OF ATHENS, OHIO - In this still image from video provided by the NFL, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow celebrates, in The Plains, Ohio, after being chosen first by the Cincinnati Bengals during the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2020. (NFL via AP)En esta imagen proporcionada por la NFL, Tua Tagovailoa exhibe su saco durante el draft de la NFL, el jueves 23 de abril de 2020, en Alabaster, Alabama. (NFL va AP)FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2019, file photo, LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (22) carries during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game in Atlanta. Edwards-Helaire was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with the final pick of the first round of the NFL draft. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)In this still image from video provided by the NFL, Henry Ruggs III, center, gets ready to put on a Las Vegas Raiders cap after being selected by the team in the first round of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 23, 2020. (NFL via AP)FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2019, file photo, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (9) runs against Georgia during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, in Atlanta. The Southeastern Conference broke the NFL record for first-round draft picks by a conference. Fifteen players from the powerhouse league were selected in the opening round Thursday night, April 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)
CORRECTS LOCATION TO THE PLAINS, OHIO, INSTEAD OF ATHENS, OHIO - In this still image from video provided by the NFL, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow celebrates, in The Plains, Ohio, after being chosen first by the Cincinnati Bengals during the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2020. (NFL via AP)
The first round of the NFL draft opened and closed with players from the Southeastern Conference, a fitting way to mark the league's record-setting night.
The football powerhouse had 15 players selected Thursday, smashing the previous mark of 12 set by the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2006 and matched twice by the SEC (2013, 2017).
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The SEC’s most promising crop to date was flush with players from Alabama (four) and LSU (five). It included reigning Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow at the top followed by several more next-level starters — maybe even stars — at nearly every position.
The league fell just short of having as many players drafted in the first round as the rest of college football combined. Oddsmakers had listed the over/under for SEC players at 15½.
LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton, Alabama safety Xavier McKinney, Georgia running back D’Andre Swift and Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs did not come off the board as some expected. They are expected to get selected early in the second round Friday night.
Georgia right tackle Isaiah Wilson gave the SEC the new record when Tennessee chose him with the 29th pick. Miami took Auburn cornerback Noah Igbinoghene next to make it 14 from the league. Kansas City capped the first round by drafting LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
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