NFL Draft In Review: The Programs That Won And Lost This Past Weekend

Success in the NFL Draft is a badge of honor for college football programs. It’s also a great tool to use on the recruiting trail. On Thursday, the 2015 NFL Draft started, continuing until Saturday night. With its conclusion, it’s time to look at which schools came away from the weekend with the most to brag about (and a couple that are hanging their heads):

*

No. 1: Florida State Seminoles

Let’s start off with the obvious selection to top all the others, Jameis Winston. Jimbo Fisher can now put this feather in his cap: He has recruited, trained and coached a number-one NFL draft pick. That is a huge plus on the recruiting trail.

It doesn’t stop there, however. Florida State owned the NFL draft as a whole. In addition to Winston, offensive lineman Cameron Erving was also drafted in the first round. In the second round, Ronald Darby, Mario Edwards, and Eddie Goldman went off the board.

Florida State ended the first two days with six players chosen. After the draft had run its course, the Seminoles had 11 players picked. No matter how you slice it, that’s awesome.

No. 2: Oregon Ducks

But he’s a system quarterback!

That’s what could be heard all around the country on talk radio throughout the 2014 season and prior to this year’s draft. They were talking about Marcus Mariota and why he shouldn’t be drafted early. With the number two pick, the Tennessee Titans chose him. That pick will help Mark Helfrich shatter the notion of the system quarterback being a draft casualty — it should boost his future recruiting efforts.

In addition to Mariota, Oregon also had Arik Armstead picked in the first round. Then the Ducks watched as offensive linemen (Jake Fisher, Hroniss Grasu) were picked in the second and third rounds, respectively. With four picks in the first three rounds and the number two overall pick, the Oregon Ducks come away from the draft as more than just a program with a “system offense” and everything that implies. It’s something the Ducks can hang their hats on in living rooms across America.

No. 3: Missouri Tigers

You probably weren’t expecting the Missouri Tigers to end up on this list, did you? I wasn’t either. The newer three-day version of the NFL draft (remember, this used to be a two-day event) is top heavy. The focus of the first two days of the draft are strictly on the first three rounds. When taking just those rounds into consideration, the Tigers landed three draft picks.

There is a reason Missouri has been able to compete quickly in the SEC. The Tigers didn’t luck into representing the SEC East in the SEC Championship Game two years in a row. They finished 7-1 in the SEC both seasons. They did a great job recruiting talent that fit their system. Then they did a great job of molding that talent while it was on campus.

Shane Ray went in the first round (and would have gone higher if he didn’t harm his own chances with a bonehead error). Marcus Golden and Mitch Morse were picked in the second round. What do these players have in common? They play along the line of scrimmage. When he goes recruiting, if you are an offensive or defensive lineman, Gary Pinkel now has your attention because he puts these players in the NFL.

No. 4: Alabama Crimson Tide

The Tide had seven players picked in the draft, and they are building quite a legacy at a few positions. Amari Cooper went fourth overall and will join Julio Jones as an elite ready-to-produce receiver. T.J. Yeldon went in the second round and will join Eddie Lacy and Mark Ingram as a running back who got picked relatively early in the draft. Landon Collins also went in the second round, giving the Tide three players picked in the first two rounds.

It’s not as impressive as two first rounders last year or three first rounders the year before, but Nick Saban puts players in the NFL. Yes, the Tide recruit at a very high level, but they will continue to when they can say that they unceasingly place players at high spots in the NFL draft.

No. 5: Ohio State Buckeyes

Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes didn’t place a single player in the first round of this year’s NFL draft. Do you know what this means? After winning the national championship, they are locked and loaded for a run at a repeat in 2015.

The Buckeyes did land one player in the second round (Devin Smith) and one in the third (Jeff Heuerman). They also had a total of five players drafted this year. That’s not bad, but from a pure “impact” standpoint, the Buckeyes are ready to rock in 2015.

Will this hurt recruiting? Are you kidding? Urban has recruiting on lockdown and his pitch is simple. Come win a national championship at Ohio State.

*

The Big Losers?

Miami Hurricanes

The Hurricanes had seven players drafted over the past weekend. Two went in the first round (Phillip Dorsett, Ereck Flowers), one went in the second (Denzel Perryman), and two went in the third (Duke Johnson, Clive Walford). With four offensive players drafted in the first three rounds, the Hurricanes managed to put just the ninth-best scoring offense in the ACC on the field. The Hurricanes also went just 6-7. With that much talent, how do you fail so miserably? We’re looking at you, Al Golden.

Florida Gators

At Miami, Al Golden was able to underperform and keep his job. Will Muschamp was not able to do the same at Florida. Muschamp took Florida to a 6-5 record (the Gators finished 7-5) with a talented team that landed eight players in this year’s draft.

Schools such as FSU, Oregon, Alabama, and Missouri can use the draft as a positive on the recruiting trail. Florida and Miami will see it used by their competitors as a negative. Do you really want to go to those schools and end up playing on a 6-6 team instead of for championships?

About Kevin Causey

Dry humorist, craft beer enthusiast, occasionally unbiased SEC fan, UGA alumni, contributor for The Comeback.

Quantcast