SEC Football: SEC should break its own record in 2022 NFL Draft

Before the end of this month, the rest of college football will have another reason to hate SEC Football. Just last year, the SEC set a new record for players selected in a single NFL Draft. The number last year was 65, one better than the previous record set in the 2019 NFL Draft. These records apply to what is known as the common draft era, which goes back to 1967.

According to a media release by the SEC, only twice in the last 26 NFL Drafts has a conference other than the SEC had more than 50 players selected.

The 2021 NFL Draft was the 15th consecutive year the SEC dominated all the other conferences. There is good reason to believe a new record in this month’s NFL Draft will surpass 70 SEC football players, with possibly as many as 75 being drafted.

Alabama football fans might have a little less celebrating to do this year. The Georgia Bulldogs could have more players drafted than the Crimson Tide. Vanderbilt may be the only SEC school to not have a player selected.

The Tide and the Dawgs will lead the SEC parade. At somewhat lower numbers, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Kentucky and LSU should also do well. Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi State and South Carolina should all have more than a couple of players chosen. Bringing up the SEC football rear will be a pair of Tigers; Missouri and Auburn.

Bold Prediction for one SEC Football Team

The number of Auburn players drafted will be surpassed by the number chosen from San Diego State. The prediction is twice as many Aztecs as Aubies.

How well will former Alabam football players do in the Draft? A reasonable range to predict is that around nine or ten former Alabama Crimson Tide players will be drafted. There is a pretty good chance Evan Neal, Jameson Wiliams, Christian Harris, John Metchie III, Phidarian Mathis and Brian Robinson Jr. will all be selected in the Draft’s first 100 selections. Evan Neal should be the first offensive lineman and in the top five picks. Despite his injury, Jameson Williams is expected to be selected in the lower third of the first round. Christian Harris has a shot at being a first-round pick. If not, he and John Methchie will be selected in the second round.  Josh Jobe and Jaylin Armour-Davis will be drafted. Hopefully, so will LaBryan Ray and Slade Bolden be selected.

Note: NFL Draft records also provided by ESPN.

The 2022 NFL Draft is Apr. 28-40. Bama Hammer will frequently update the prospects for former Crimson Tide players and provide full three-day coverage of the Draft.