Let’s be honest: When you think of the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, your mind immediately goes to the blue bloods.
You think of the USCs, the Notre Dames and the Oklahomas, traditional powers that attract blue-chip recruits year in and year out.
But every now and then, college football gives us the ultimate anomaly — a player from a school you’d never expect hijacks the No. 1 spot in the draft.
We’ve seen a mid-major quarterback in Fresno State’s David Carr become the Houston Texans’ first-ever draft pick, and a dominant trench monster in Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher go No. 1 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Sometimes, these picks come from programs that look completely different today — or, in one instance, doesn’t exist anymore.
In the inaugural 1936 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles used the first pick on University of Chicago halfback Jay Berwanger, not long before the school abolished its program.
We saw HBCU Tennessee State’s Ed “Too Tall” Jones hear his name called first in 1974 when he was selected by the Dallas Cowboys.
A year earlier, the Houston Oilers used the top pick on defensive end John Matuszak from the University of Tampa, a program that shut down for good a year after he was drafted.
The program was shuttered in part because the school, with an enrollment of approximately 2,000 students, didn’t want to compete with the pending arrival of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
These five schools might seem like wild cards on a list of draft royalty, but they are the ultimate reminders that elite talent can come from anywhere.
In fact, the player taken No. 1 overall in the inaugural NFL Draft went to a school that is now regarded as a Division III academic powerhouse.
Here are five unlikely schools that produced NFL Draft royalty:
Jay Berwanger, Chicago (1936)
Jay Berwanger made history as the inaugural Heisman Trophy winner in 1935 before the Eagles made him the first No. 1 draft pick. But rather than play professional football, Berwanger chose a career in business.
John Matuszak, Tampa (1973)
John Matuszak, a towering 6-foot-8 lineman, earned First-Team All-American honors while turning the small-school Spartans into a formidable defensive force. His strength and pass-rushing ability convinced the Oilers to select him with the No. 1 pick. And he was an actor who appeared in multiple movies, including “The Goonies” and “North Dallas Forty.”
Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Tennessee State (1974)
Ed “Too Tall” Jones utilized his 6-foot-9 frame and unprecedented wingspan to overwhelm offensive lines. After leading the Tigers to a black college football national championship, the Cowboys made him the first HBCU player taken No. 1 overall.
David Carr, Fresno State (2002)
David Carr put together a historic 2001 campaign by throwing for 4,839 yards and 46 touchdowns to vault the Bulldogs into national prominence. The expansion Texans were so enamored with his arm talent that they made him the first pick in franchise history.
Eric Fisher, Central Michigan (2013)
Eric Fisher developed from a lean, unheralded recruit into an imposing left tackle. A dominant senior season and a stellar Senior Bowl week convinced the Chiefs to make him the first Mid-American Conference player chosen No. 1 overall.
Every fan remembers the moment one of their favorite college football stars heard their name called, walked across the stage, held up an NFL jersey and changed the trajectory of an NFL franchise.
As college football fans, we do not just cheer for wins on Saturdays. We take pride in watching our players dominate on Sundays.
A bragging right for any fan base is proving that their school is a pipeline to the pros, and 10 programs give their fans the ultimate license to boast.
Not every NFL player is a first-round pick, but every first-round pick enters the league carrying enormous expectations. These are the prospects franchises invest millions in and expect to become faces of their organizations.
Consistently producing that caliber of talent is one of the clearest indicators of a program’s strength. It speaks to recruiting, coaching, player development and a culture that prepares athletes for the next level.
From blue blood powers to modern dynasties, these 10 schools have produced the most first-round picks in the NFL Draft:
Ohio State: 99 first-round selections, setting the national standard for elite talent production. The Buckeyes are the undisputed kings of the first round, including Pro Football Hall of Famers Orlando Pace, Paul Warfield and Randy Gradishar, as well as modern superstars such as Nick Bosa, C.J. Stroud, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr.
USC: 87 first-round picks, dominating the West Coast pipeline to the pros. The Trojans hold the record for the most No. 1 overall picks in the draft with six, most recently Caleb Williams in 2024. First-rounders who had Hall of Fame careers include Frank Gifford, O.J. Simpson, Lynn Swann, Anthony Munoz, Ronnie Lott, Marcus Allen, Junior Seau and Troy Polamalu.
Alabama: 86 first-round picks, reflecting modern dominance under elite coaching. The Crimson Tide have had at least two first-round picks every year since 2017, including Jahmyr Gibbs, DeVonta Smith, Quinnen Williams, Pat Surtain II and Will Anderson Jr. The Tide’s first-round Hall of Famers are Joe Namath, John Hannah, Ozzie Newsome and Derrick Thomas.
Notre Dame: 73 first-round picks, anchoring a historic legacy in the draft. The Fighting Irish boast legendary icons such as Hall of Famers Paul Hornung, Alan Page, Tim Brown, Jerome Bettis and Bryant Young, alongside modern stars Quenton Nelson, Kyle Hamilton and the recently retired Zack Martin. Jeremiah Love was selected No. 3 overall in the 2026 draft.
Miami: 71 first-round selections, known for unmatched star power in South Florida. The Hurricanes, who set a draft record with six first-rounders in 2004, have eight first-round picks who went on to earn Hall of Fame gold jackets: Jim Kelly, Michael Irvin, Cortez Kennedy, Warren Sapp, Ray Lewis, Edgerrin James, Ed Reed and Andre Johnson.
Florida: 60 first-round picks, showcasing consistent SEC elite talent. The Gators produced two frist-rounders who went on to Hall of Fame careers in Jack Youngblood and Emmitt Smith. Tim Tebow helped UF win two national championships and was drafted in the first round. Kyle Pitts (2021) and Anthony Richardson (2023) both were selected with the No. 4 overall pick.
Texas: 58 first-round selections, representing a massive historical footprint. The Longhorns’ rich lineage is built on iconic playmakers who went on to have Hall of Fame careers (Bobby Layne and Earl Campbell) as well as Ricky Williams, Derrick Johnson, Vince Young and Bijan Robinson. Tommy Nobis, Kenneth Sims and Earl Thomas were defensive standouts.
Michigan: 55 first-round picks, leading the northern collegiate landscape. The Wolverines have consistently developed elite skill in the trenches, evidenced by Hall of Famers Tom Mack and Steve Hutchinson, and No. 1 overall pick Jake Long. Charles Woodson won the Heisman and went No. 4 overall. Not on the list: Seven-time Super Bowl champ Tom Brady (sixth round).
LSU: 54 first-round choices, with the Tigers known for their playmakers and elite defensive backs. First-round Hall of Famers include Steve Van Buren and Y.A. Tittle. Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels, Justin Jefferson, Jamar Chase, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. are among the NFL’s top skill players. Derek Stingley Jr. and Patrick Queen are among the best at their positions.
Georgia: 53 first-round selections, rounding out the top 10 with recent draft surges. The Bulldogs produced three first-rounders who were elected to the Hall of Fame in Charley Trippi, Champ Bailey and Richard Seymour. Recent picks include Matthew Stafford, A.J. Green, Todd Gurley, Roquan Smith, Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Travon Walker, Brock Bowers and Malaki Starks.
Mike Garbett is a content specialist working with McClatchy’s Content Innovation Lab.