The NFL Draft begins Thursday. Bama Hammer predicts a new Alabama football record of ten Tide players drafted, with five in the first round.
Ten 2017 draft selections would break the Alabama football single-season draft record set in 2013 when nine Crimson Tide players were drafted.
Alabama football is also likely to break its record for first round draft picks. The Crimson Tide record for first-rounders is four, set in 2011 and 2012.
During the Alabama football Nick Saban era, 2008-2016, 55 Crimson Tide football players have been drafted. In that nine-year period, only USC had more players drafted than the Tide.
Southern Cal had 57 players drafted from 2008-2016. LSU matched Alabama during the period with 55 players drafted.
During the same period, Alabama football has dominated the NFL first round selections. Alabama has 18 first-rounders in the Saban era. USC and Ohio State follow with 12 and 11 first-rounders respectively.
The disparity in first round selections will grow on April 27 with Alabama football adding at least four and possibly six first round picks.
The Miami Hurricanes hold the record for most first-round picks in a single season. Miami had six first round selections in 2004. Ohio State follows Miami with five first round selections in the 2016 draft.
We’re hours away from the first pick Thursday evening. The Cleveland Browns are literally on the clock with the first pick.
More than a dozen former Crimson Tide players will anxiously await the seven rounds of the draft, followed by another day of frenzied undrafted rookie signings.