Southern California QB Caleb Williams became the latest No. 1 overall pick when the Chicago Bears selected him with the top pick in the 2024 NFL draft. He's the sixth Trojan to go No. 1 — the most for any school.
Last year, Alabama QB Bryce Young became the second No. 1 overall pick in Crimson Tide history and the first since 1948.
In 2022, Georgia DE Travon Walker became the fifth Georgia player to go No. 1 overall, then tying the mark for most by a school.
In 2021, Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence went No. 1 to the Jaguars. In 2020, the Cincinnati Bengals took Joe Burrow with the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Burrow, who won the 2019 Heisman Trophy, became the third LSU player to be drafted No. 1 overall.
Here are the schools with the most No. 1 selections since the NFL Draft began in 1936:
Colleges with most overall No. 1 picks in the NFL Draft
- Southern California (6) — Caleb Williams (2024), Carson Palmer (2003), Keyshawn Johnson (1996), Ricky Bell (1977), O.J. Simpson (1969), Ron Yary (1968)
- Georgia (5) — Travon Waker (2022), Matthew Stafford (2009), Harry Babcock (1953), Charley Trippi (1945), Frank Sinkwich (1943)
- Notre Dame (5) — Walt Patulski (1972), Paul Hornung (1957), Leon Hart (1950), Frank Dancewicz (1946), Angelo Bertelli (1944)
- Oklahoma (5) — Kyler Murray (2019), Baker Mayfield (2018), Sam Bradford (2010), Billy Sims (1980), Lee Roy Selmon (1976)
- Auburn (4) — Cam Newton (2011), Aundray Bruce (1988), Bo Jackson (1986), Tucker Frederickson (1965)
- Stanford (4) —Andrew Luck (2012), John Elway (1983), Jim Plunkett (1971), Bobby Garrett (1954)
- LSU (3) — Joe Burrow (2020), JaMarcus Russell (2007), Billy Cannon (1960)
- Ohio State (3) — Orlando Pace (1997), Dan Wilkinson (1994), Tom Cousineau (1979)
- Texas (3) — Kenneth Sims (1982), Earl Campbell (1978), Tommy Nobis (1966)
- Alabama (2) — Bryce Young (2023), Harry Gilmer (1948)
- California (2) —Jared Goff (2016), Steve Bartkowski (1975)
- Miami (Fla.) (2) — Russell Maryland (1991), Vinny Testaverde (1987)
- Michigan (2) —Jake Long (2008), Tom Harmon (1941)
- Nebraska (2) —Irving Fryar (1984), Sam Francis (1937)
- Penn State (2) — Courtney Brown (2000), Ki-Jana Carter (1995)
- South Carolina (2) — Jadeveon Clowney (2014), George Rogers (1981)
- Tennessee (2) —Peyton Manning (1998), George Cafego (1940)
- Virginia Tech (2) — Michael Vick (2001), Bruce Smith (1985)
- Central Michigan (1) — Eric Fisher (2013)
- Chicago (1) — Jay Berwanger (1936)
- Clemson (1) — Trevor Lawrence (2021)
- Colorado A&M (1) — Gary Glick (1956)
- Florida State (1)— Jameis Winston (2015)
- Fresno State (1) —David Carr (2002)
- Illinois (1) — Jeff George (1990)
- Iowa (1) — Randy Duncan (1959)
- Indiana (1) —Corbett Davis (1938)
- Kentucky (1) —Tim Couch (1999)
- Louisiana Tech (1) — Terry Bradshaw (1970)
- Michigan State (1) — Bubba Smith (1967)
- Mississippi (1) — Eli Manning (2004)
- North Carolina State (1) — Mario Williams (2006)
- Oklahoma State (1) — Bob Fenimore (1947)
- Oregon (1) — George Shaw (1955)
- Oregon State (1) —Terry Baker (1963)
- Pennsylvania (1) —Chuck Bednarik (1949)
- Rice (1) — King Hill (1958)
- Southern Methodist (1)— Kyle Rote (1951)
- Syracuse (1) — Ernie Davis (1962)
- Tampa (1) — John Matuszak (1973)
- TCU (1) — Ki Aldrich (1939)
- Tennessee State (1) — Ed 'Too Tall' Jones (1974)
- Texas A&M (1) —Myles Garrett (2017)
- Texas Tech (1) — Dave Parks (1964)
- Tulane (1) — Tommy Mason (1961)
- UCLA (1) — Troy Aikman (1989)
- Utah (1) — Alex Smith (2005)
- Vanderbilt (1) — Bill Wade (1952)
- Virginia (1) — Bill Dudley (1942)
- Washington (1) — Steve Emtman (1992)
- Washington State (1) — Drew Bledsoe (1993)
In total, 51 different schools have had a player selected No. 1 overall in the NFL draft. Travon Walker's selection in 2022 ended a string of four quarterbacks in a row as top picks, including Oklahoma starters two years in a row (Baker Mayfield in 2018 and Kyler Murray in 2019).
