Top 5 draft classes from one school

[Hitman21ST]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/blog?name=schefter_adam&id=5086056&addata=2009_insdr_mod_front_xxx_xxx

Before the first round of next Thursday night's NFL draft is over, Oklahoma will have four first-round picks. Former Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford is likely to go No. 1, defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is expected to get drafted either No. 2 or No. 3, offensive tackle Trent Williams will be a top-10 pick and former tight end Jermaine Gresham will go in the top 25 picks. If these players are as good as scouts think, Oklahoma will challenge other schools for one of the top draft classes in NFL history. As the 2010 draft creeps closer, here is a look back at some of the top draft classes produced by individual colleges.



1. 2004 Miami Hurricanes (six picks)


• FS Sean Taylor (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5530) (No. 5, Washington Redskins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=was))
• TE Kellen Winslow II (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5531) (No. 6, Cleveland Browns (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=cle))
• LB Jonathan Vilma (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5537) (No. 12, New York Jets (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nyj))
• LB D.J. Williams (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5542) (No. 17, Denver Broncos (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=den))
• OT Vernon Carey (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5544) (No. 19, Miami Dolphins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=mia))
• DT Vince Wilfork (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5546) (No. 21, New England Patriots (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nwe))



From its first first-round pick to its last first round-pick, Miami produced greatness. It's a ridiculous amount of talent and Pro Bowl players in one class.




2. 1997 Florida State Seminoles (four picks)


• LB Peter Boulware (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=1189) (No. 4, Baltimore Ravens (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=bal))
• OT Walter Jones (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=1230) (No. 6, Seattle Seahawks (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=sea))
• RB Warrick Dunn (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=1175) (No. 12, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=tam))
• LB Reinard Wilson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=1195) (No. 14, Cincinnati Bengals (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=cin)).



Jones turned out to be the best of the bunch, but overall this was a solid class that rivaled some their in-state rivals produced.




3. 1976 Oklahoma Sooners (three picks)


• DE Lee Roy Selmon (No. 1, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
• RB Joe Washington (No. 4, San Diego Chargers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=sdg))
• WR Billy Brooks (No. 11, Cincinnati Bengals).



Up until this year, this was the finest class that Oklahoma ever produced.




4. 1981 UCLA Bruins (two picks)


• RB Freeman McNeil (No. 3, New York Jets)
• DB Kenny Easley (No. 4, Seattle Seahawks)



McNeil and Easley were standouts at their respective positions for years.




5. 1975 Jackson State University (two picks)


• RB Walter Payton (No. 4, Chicago Bears (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=chi))
• LB Robert Brazile (No. 6, Houston Oilers)



Payton with anybody would be a great class, but Brazile was a superb linebacker.




HONORABLE MENTION

2005 Auburn Tigers (four picks)


• RB Ronnie Brown (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8417) (No. 2, Miami Dolphins)
• RB Cadillac Williams (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8420) (RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
• CB Carlos Rogers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8424) (No. 9 Washington Redskins)
• QB Jason Campbell (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8440) (No. 25, Washington Redskins).



1967 Michigan State Spartans (four picks)


• DT Bubba Smith (No. 1, Baltimore Colts)
• RB Clint Jones (No. 2, Minnesota Vikings)
• LB George Webster (No. 5, Houston Oilers)
• WR Gene Washington (No. 8, Minnesota Vikings)



1977 USC Trojans (three picks)


• RB Ricky Bell (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8084) (No. 1, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
• T Marvin Powell (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=2085) (No. 4, New York Jets)
• DT Gary Jeter (No. 5, New York Giants (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nyg))



1995 Penn State Nittany Lions (three picks)


• RB Ki-Jana Carter (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=737) (No. 1, Cincinnati Bengals)
• QB Kerry Collins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=734) (No. 5, Carolina Panthers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=car))
• TE Kyle Brady (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=745) (No. 9, New York Jets)



1987 Miami Hurricanes (three picks)


• QB Vinny Testaverde (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9) (No. 1, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
• RB Alonzo Highsmith (No. 3, Houston Oilers)
• DT Jerome Brown (No. 9, Philadelphia Eagles (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=phi))


Two times the Skins got in on the action ('04 Miami and '05 Auburn). Just thought this was vaguely interesting.

[Vilandil Tasardur]

I can't even comprehend how sick that Miami class was. Even with Kellen not living up the hype.

[ptr77]

Whenever I see that draft class it makes me think of the 2001 Hurricanes roster. The talent on that team from freshman to senior is ridiculous

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/rosters/2001/mmi/

[Ghost of Nibbs McPimpin]

Did they look at things beyond first round picks? I'd have to believe that there were classes from one school that include the 2000 Spartans:

Plaxico Burress at #8
Julian Peterson at #16
Greg Robinson-Randall in the 4th round, started 16 games for the 2001 Patriots SB team at RT (not a very good player but had 4 years in the league)
Paul Edinger, 6th round Kicker. Very good kicker for years in the league
Robaire Smith, 6th round, DE/DT. Pretty solid player for years.

That's just from the top of my head (well researching past those first rounders.) To me, it's too simple to look at first rounders, besides guys like Kellen are a relative disappointment, IMO.

Look at an entire draft class from a school. If there were a couple of more standouts, the 2000 Michigan class would get a nod simply because of Tom Brady.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

I can't even comprehend how sick that Miami class was. Even with Kellen not living up the hype.

Winslow hasn't had a HORRIBLE career. Probably hasn't lived up to the hype but he's had some pretty nice seasons.

[Spartacus87]

Whenever I see that draft class it makes me think of the 2001 Hurricanes roster. The talent on that team from freshman to senior is ridiculous

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/rosters/2001/mmi/ Hands down, the most stacked college team of all time.

[DWinzit]

Notre Dame had a big 1993 class:
QB Rick Mirer #2
RB erome Bettis #10
CB Tom Carter #17
TE Irv Smith #20

[Santana_Fan]

I think USC's LB's from the 2009 Draft were all good last year, although Maualuga didn't get to play in all of the games.

Ray Maualuga
Clay Matthews
Brian Cushing


oh and Mark Sanchez

[scruffylookin]

That 81 draft had a hell of alot of good players from Pitt.

First round:

Hugh Green LB (Very good linebacker)
Randy McMillian RB
Mark May OT (charter member of The Hogs)

Second round:

Ricky Jackson LB (great linebacker)

Third round:

three players selected but most notably is of course our own Russ Grimm.

I'd take that 81 draft over the UCLA one any day of the week.

[Hiro]

I think USC's LB's from the 2009 Draft were all good last year, although Maualuga didn't get to play in all of the games.

Ray Maualuga
Clay Matthews
Brian Cushing


oh and Mark Sanchez
Imagine if Taylor Mays and Everson Griffin both came out last season. That most likley would have resulted 5 1st rounders from USC, all on the defensive side on the ball. And to think that at one point (I think), those five were on the same field with Sedrick Ellis, Terrell Thomas, and Lawrence Jackson.

Wow. That's a stacked defense.

[F Landry]

Imagine if Taylor Mays and Everson Griffin both came out last season. That most likley would have resulted 5 1st rounders from USC, all on the defensive side on the ball. And to think that at one point (I think), those five were on the same field with Sedrick Ellis, Terrell Thomas, and Lawrence Jackson.

Wow. That's a stacked defense.

All NFL starting caliber players...hard to believe.

It is sick the way the college recruiting system works that one team can get so many good players. This is why I love the NFL, PARITY.

[Santana_Fan]

Imagine if Taylor Mays and Everson Griffin both came out last season. That most likley would have resulted 5 1st rounders from USC, all on the defensive side on the ball. And to think that at one point (I think), those five were on the same field with Sedrick Ellis, Terrell Thomas, and Lawrence Jackson.

Wow. That's a stacked defense.

Yea they were deep on their defense lol. I forgot about Griffin. I know to some people it'd be crazy, but I'd really like to see like an all star team from the players from the U (using players who are in the nfl now), against a Pro Bowl NFL team, or an all star USC team (using players who are in the nfl now). The U would lack in the QB department unless you speak of the older players like maybe Jim Kelly or Testaverde. Overall, I think that'd be interesting.

[Hitman21ST]

Whenever I see that draft class it makes me think of the 2001 Hurricanes roster. The talent on that team from freshman to senior is ridiculous

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/rosters/2001/mmi/

#50 "Roger McIntosh"

Is that Rocky?

[ptr77]

#50 "Roger McIntosh"

Is that Rocky?

I believe that is him, yes.

[HailGreen28]

Whenever I see that draft class it makes me think of the 2001 Hurricanes roster. The talent on that team from freshman to senior is ridiculous

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/rosters/2001/mmi/Holy crap. That is all.

[McNabbOwnsFedEx]

The RB's on that team are amazing.

Portis
McGahee
Gore
Davenport