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Miami (FL) QB Cam Ward became the latest No. 1 overall pick when the Tennessee Titans selected him with the top pick in the 2025 NFL draft. He’s the third Hurricane to go No. 1 and the first since 1991.
In 2024, Southern California QB Caleb Williams became the sixth USC Trojan to go No. 1 — the most for any school.
In 2023, 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)
Miami (Fla.) (3) — Cam Ward (2025), Russell Maryland (1991), Vinny Testaverde (1987)
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)
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)
MORE:Â College football programs with the most championships
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).
Anthony Chiusano is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts and has been with Turner Sports since 2016. He has covered numerous NCAA championship events, including the FCS Championship and College World Series.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCAA or its member institutions.
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