{"id":872834,"date":"2026-04-23T15:15:29","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T15:15:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/872834\/"},"modified":"2026-04-23T15:15:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T15:15:29","slug":"where-did-every-nfl-draft-no-1-pick-play-football-in-high-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/872834\/","title":{"rendered":"Where did every NFL Draft No. 1 pick play football in high school?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2026 NFL Draft<\/a> is begins tonight in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at at Acrisure Stadium and will last until Saturday. Expectations across the board point to the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 1 pick selecting former Miami (Fla.) Columbus<\/a> quarterback Fernando Mendoza<\/a> as their selection. <\/p>\n

Before that happens, where did the previous 96 No. 1 picks play their high school football before landing as the cornerstone for an NFL franchise? High School Football America<\/a> collected every No. 1 pick since 1936 with where each football player went to high school for their prep career and we also added a state-by-state breakdown of how many picks came from each one. As we come up on tonight\u2019s No. 97 all-time No. 1 pick in league history, take a look at each player, state and high school: <\/p>\n

2025: Cam Ward, QB, West Columbia (TX) Columbia<\/a> \u2014 Tennessee Titans
2024: Caleb Williams, QB, Washington (DC) Gonzaga<\/a> \u2014 Chicago Bears
2023: Bryce Young, QB, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei<\/a> \u2014 Carolina Panthers
2022: Travon Walker, LB, Thomaston (GA) Upson-Lee<\/a> \u2014 Jacksonville Jaguars
2021: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Cartersville (GA) Cartersville<\/a> \u2014 Jacksonville Jaguars
2020: Joe Burrow, QB, The Plains (Ohio) Athens<\/a> \u2014 Cincinnati Bengals
2019: Kyler Murray, QB, Allen (TX) Allen<\/a> \u2014 Arizona Cardinals
2018: Baker Mayfield, QB, Austin (TX) Lake Travis<\/a> \u2014 Cleveland Browns
2017: Myles Garrett, DE, Arlington (TX) Martin<\/a> \u2014 Cleveland Browns
2016: Jared Goff, QB, Kentfield (California) Marin Catholic<\/a> \u2014 Los Angeles Rams
2015: Jameis Winston, QB, Hueytown (Ala.) Hueytown<\/a> \u2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2014: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, Rock Hill (SC) South Pointe<\/a> \u2014 Houston Texans
2013: Eric Fisher, OT, Rochester Hills (Mich.) Stoney Creek<\/a> \u2014 Kansas City Chiefs
2012: Andrew Luck, QB, Stratford (TX) Stratford<\/a> \u2014 Indianapolis Colts
2011: Cam Newton, QB, Atlanta (GA) Westlake<\/a> \u2014 Carolina Panthers
2010: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma City (OK) Putnam City North<\/a> \u2014 St. Louis Rams
2009: Matthew Stafford, QB, Dallas (TX) Highland Park<\/a> \u2014 Detroit Lions
2008: Jake Long, OT, Lapeer (Mich.) Lapeer<\/a> North \u2014 Miami Dolphins
2007: JaMarcus Russell, QB, Mobile (Ala.) Williamson<\/a> \u2014 Oakland Raiders
2006: Mario Williams, DE, Hoffman Forest (NC) Richlands<\/a> \u2014 Houston Texans
2005: Alex Smith, QB, La Mesa (Calif.) Helix<\/a> \u2014 San Francisco 49ers
2004: Eli Manning, QB, New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman<\/a> \u2014 San Diego Chargers
2003: Carson Palmer, QB, Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) Santa Margarita Catholic<\/a> \u2014 Cincinnati Bengals
2002: David Carr, QB, Sugar Land (TX) Clements<\/a> \u2014 Houston Texans
2001: Michael Vick, QB, (VA.) Ferguson \u2014 Atlanta Falcons
2000: Courtney Brown, DE, (South Carolina) Macedonia<\/a> \u2014 Cleveland Browns
1999: Tim Couch, QB, Hyden (Ky.) Leslie County<\/a> \u2014 Cleveland Browns
1998: Peyton Manning, QB, New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman<\/a> \u2014 Indianapolis Colts
1997: Orlando Pace, OT, Sandusky (Ohio) Sandusky<\/a> \u2014 St. Louis Rams
1996: Keyshawn Johnson, WR, Los Angeles (Calif.) Dorsey<\/a> \u2014 New York Jets
1995: Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Westerville (Ohio) Westerville South<\/a> \u2014 Cincinnati Bengals
1994: Dan Wilkinson, DT, Dayton (Ohio) Dunbar<\/a> \u2014 Cincinnati Bengals
1993: Drew Bledsoe, QB, Walla Walla (Wash.) Walla Walla<\/a> \u2014 New England Patriots
1992: Steve Emtman, DT, Cheney (Washington) Cheney<\/a> \u2014 Indianapolis Colts
1991: Russell Maryland, DT, Chicago (IL) Whitney Young<\/a> \u2014 Dallas Cowboys
1990: Jeff George, QB, Indinapolis (IN) Warren Central<\/a> \u2014 Indianapolis Colts
1989: Troy Aikman, QB, Henryetta (OK) Henryetta<\/a> \u2014 Dallas Cowboys
1988: Aundray Bruce, LB, Montgomery (Ala.) Carver<\/a> \u2014 Atlanta Falcons
1987: Vinny Testaverde, QB, Floral Park (NY) Sewanhaka<\/a> \u2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1986: Bo Jackson, RB, McCalla (Ala.) McAdory<\/a> \u2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1985: Bruce Smith, DE, Norfolk (Virginia) B. T. Washington<\/a> \u2014 Buffalo Bills
1984: Irving Fryar, WR, Mount Holly (NJ) Rancocas Valley Reg H<\/a> \u2014 New England Patriots
1983: John Elway, QB, Granada Hills (Calif.) Granada Hills<\/a> \u2014 Baltimore Colts
1982: Kenneth Sims, DT, Groesbeck (TX) Groesbeck<\/a> \u2014 New England Patriots
1981: George Rogers, RB, Duluth (GA) Duluth<\/a> \u2014 New Orleans Saints
1980: Billy Sims, RB, Hooks (TX) Hooks<\/a> \u2014 Detroit Lions
1979: Tom Cousineau, LB, Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward<\/a> \u2014 Buffalo Bills
1978: Earl Campbell, RB, Tyler (TX) John Tyler<\/a> \u2014 Houston Oilers
1977: Ricky Bell, RB, Sunnyvale (Calif.) Fremont<\/a> \u2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1976: Lee Roy Selmon, DE, Eufaula (OK) Eufaula<\/a> \u2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1975: Steve Bartkowski, QB, (California) Buchser \u2014 Atlanta Falcons
1974: Ed \u201cToo Tall\u201d Jones, DE, Jackson (Tenn.) Jackson Central-Merry<\/a> \u2014 Dallas Cowboys
1973: John Matuszak, DE, Oak Creek (Wis.) Oak Creek<\/a> \u2014 Houston Oilers
1972: Walt Patulski, DT, Syracuse (NY) Christian Brothers Academy<\/a> \u2014 Buffalo Bills
1971: Jim Plunkett, QB, San Jose (Calif.) James Lick<\/a> \u2014 New England Patriots
1970: Terry Bradshaw, QB, Shreveport (La.) Woodlawn<\/a> \u2014 Pittsburgh Steelers
1969: O.J. Simpson, RB, San Francisco (Calif.) Galileo<\/a> \u2014 Buffalo Bills
1968: Ron Yary, OT, Bellflower (Calif.) Bellflower<\/a> \u2014 Minnesota Vikings
1967: Bubba Smith, DE, Beaumont (TX) Charlton-Pollard<\/a> \u2014 Baltimore Colts
1966 (AFL): Jim Grabowski, RB, Chicago (IL) Taft<\/a> \u2014 Miami Dolphins
1966 (NFL): Tommy Nobis, LB, San Antonio (TX) Jefferson<\/a> \u2014 Atlanta Falcons
1965 (AFL): Lawrence Elkins, WR, Brownwood (TX) Brownwood<\/a> \u2014 Houston Oilers
1965 (NFL): Tucker Frederickson, RB, Hollywood (Florida) South Broward<\/a> \u2014 New York Giants
1964 (AFL): Jack Concannon, QB, Cambridge (Mass.) Matignon<\/a> \u2014 Boston Patriots
1964 (NFL): Dave Parks, WR, Abilene (TX) Abilene<\/a> \u2014 San Francisco 49ers
1963 (AFL): Buck Buchanan, DT, Birmingham (Ala.) Parker<\/a> \u2014 Kansas City Chiefs
1963 (NFL): Terry Baker, QB, Jefferson (Oregon) Jefferson<\/a> \u2014 Los Angeles Rams
1962 (AFL): Roman Gabriel, QB, Wilmington (NC) New Hanover<\/a> \u2014 Oakland Raiders
1962 (NFL): Ernie Davis, RB, Elmira (NY) Elmira Free Academy<\/a> \u2014 Washington Redskins
1961 (AFL): Ken Rice, G, Bainbridge (Ga.) Bainbridge<\/a> \u2014 Buffalo Bills
1961 (NFL): Tommy Mason, RB, Lake Charles (La.) Lake Charles College Prep<\/a> \u2014 Minnesota Vikings
1960: Billy Cannon, RB, Baton Rogue (La.) Istrouma<\/a> \u2014 Los Angeles Rams
1959: Randy Duncan, QB, Des Moines (IA) Roosevelt<\/a> \u2014 Green Bay Packers
1958: King Hill, QB, Freeport (Texas) Brazosport<\/a> \u2014 Chicago Cardinals
1957: Paul Hornung, HB, Louisville (Ky.) Flaget \u2014 Green Bay Packers
1956: Gary Glick, DB, Fort Collins (CO) Poudre<\/a> \u2014 Pittsburgh Steelers
1955: George Shaw, QB, Denton (Texas) Denton<\/a> \u2014 Baltimore Colts
1954: Bobby Garrett, QB, South Pasadena (Calif.) South Pasadena Senior<\/a> \u2014 Cleveland Browns
1953: Harry Babcock, E, Pearl River (NY) Pearl River<\/a> \u2014 San Francisco 49ers
1952: Bill Wade, QB, Nashville (Tenn.) Montgomery Bell Academy<\/a> \u2014 Los Angeles Rams
1951: Kyle Rote, HB, San Antonio (TX) Thomas Jefferson<\/a> \u2014 New York Giants
1950: Leon Hart, E, (Pa.) Turtle Creek \u2014 Detroit Lions
1949: Chuck Bednarik, C\/LB, (Pa.) Bethlehem Liberty \u2014 Philadelphia Eagles
1948: Harry Gilmer, QB, Birmingham (Ala.) Woodlawn<\/a> \u2014 Washington Redskins
1947: Bob Fenimore, HB, Woodward (OK) Woodward<\/a> \u2014 Chicago Bears
1946: Frank Dancewicz, QB, Lynn (Mass.) Classical<\/a> \u2014 Boston Yanks
1945: Charley Trippi, HB, Pittston (Pa.) Pittston Area<\/a> \u2014 Chicago Cardinals
1944: Angelo Bertelli, QB, Springfield (Mass.) Springfield Catholic \u2014 Boston Yanks
1943: Frank Sinkwich, HB, Youngstown (Ohio) Chaney<\/a> \u2014 Detroit Lions
1942: Bill Dudley, HB, Bluefield (Va.) Graham<\/a> \u2014 Pittsburgh Steelers
1941: Tom Harmon, HB, (IN) Mann \u2014 Chicago Bears
1940: George Cafego, HB, Oak Hill (WV) Oak Hill<\/a> \u2014 Chicago Cardinals
1939: Ki Aldrich, C, Temple (TX) Temple<\/a> \u2014 Chicago Cardinals
1938: Corbett Davis, FB, Lowell (IN) Lowell Senior<\/a> \u2014 Cleveland Rams
1937: Sam Francis, FB, Oberlin (KS) Decatur Community<\/a> \u2014 Philadelphia Eagles
1936: Jay Berwanger, HB, Dubuque (IA) Dubuque Senior<\/a> \u2014 Philadelphia Eagles<\/p>\n

State-by-state breakdown of NFL Draft No. 1 picks <\/p>\n

Texas: 18
California: 12
Ohio: 6
Alabama: 6
Georgia: 5
Louisiana: 5
Oklahoma: 4
New York: 4
Virginia: 3
Indiana: 3
Massachusetts: 3
Pennsylvania: 3
South Carolina: 2
Michigan: 2
North Carolina: 2
Kentucky: 2
Washington: 2
Illinois: 2
Tennessee: 2
Iowa: 2
Washington, D.C.: 1
New Jersey: 1
Wisconsin: 1
Florida: 1
Oregon: 1
Colorado: 1
West Virginia: 1
Kansas: 1<\/p>\n

For national high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the\u00a0Rivals National High School Scoreboard<\/a>. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals National High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement across the country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The 2026 NFL Draft is begins tonight in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at at Acrisure Stadium and will last until…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":872835,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[2026],"tags":[118233,2338,77998,118234,682,51652,118235,118236,791,4166,118237,118238,7699,7,8673,51662,51665,51667,4524,723,37914,4238,118239,24615,2116,4779,118240,118241,118242,37923,8165,118243,51683,118244,1461,118245,118246,118247],"class_list":{"0":"post-872834","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-abilene-eagles-abilene","9":"tag-al","10":"tag-bainbridge-bearcats-bainbridge","11":"tag-bellflower-buccaneers-bellflower","12":"tag-ca","13":"tag-cartersville-purple-hurricanes-cartersville","14":"tag-carver-wolverines-montgomery","15":"tag-christian-brothers-academy-brothers-syracuse","16":"tag-co","17":"tag-dc","18":"tag-dubuque-senior-rams-dubuque","19":"tag-duluth-wildcats-duluth","20":"tag-fl","21":"tag-football","22":"tag-ga","23":"tag-gonzaga-eagles-washington","24":"tag-highland-park-scots-dallas","25":"tag-hueytown-golden-gophers-hueytown","26":"tag-ia","27":"tag-in","28":"tag-isidore-newman-greenies-new-orleans","29":"tag-la","30":"tag-lake-travis-cavaliers-austin","31":"tag-mater-dei-monarchs-santa-ana","32":"tag-ny","33":"tag-oh","34":"tag-parker-thundering-herd-birmingham","35":"tag-poudre-impalas-fort-collins","36":"tag-sandusky-blue-streaks-sandusky","37":"tag-santa-margarita-catholic-eagles-rancho-santa-margarita","38":"tag-sc","39":"tag-south-broward-bulldogs-hollywood","40":"tag-south-pointe-stallions-rock-hill","41":"tag-st-edward-eagles-lakewood","42":"tag-tx","43":"tag-upson-lee-knights-thomaston","44":"tag-warren-central-warriors-indianapolis","45":"tag-williamson-lions-mobile"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/872834","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=872834"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/872834\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/872835"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=872834"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=872834"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=872834"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}