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Randy York N-Sider
Official Blog of the Huskers
On Thursday, we highlighted Nebraska's history of success in the NFL Draft by announcing the 11 first-round draft picks who made up the Huskers' Offensive All-NFL Draft Team. Today, we announce the 11 first-round draft picks who make up Nebraska's Defensive All-NFL Draft Team.
But first, a reminder of just how successful Nebraska has been in the NFL Draft, courtesy of NFL.com's Colleges With the Most NFL Draft Picks by Position:
- Nebraska had the most running backs (40) selected in the NFL Draft.
- Nebraska has had the 3rd-most offensive linemen (57) selected in the NFL Draft.
- Nebraska has had the 4th-most defensive linemen (43) selected in the NFL Draft.
- Nebraska has had the 4th-most defensive backs (48) selected in the NFL Draft.
- Nebraska has had the 4th-most linebackers (41) selected in the NFL Draft.
- Nebraska has had the 5th-most tight ends (15) selected in the NFL Draft.
Now on to Nebraska's Defensive All-NFL Draft Team, where the average defender was selected with the No. 9 overall pick.
Nebraska’s Defensive All-NFL Draft Team
DE – Neil Smith, Kansas City Chiefs (1st Round, 2nd overall pick in 1988 NFL Draft)
DT – Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions (1st Round, 2nd overall pick in 2010 NFL Draft)
DT – Danny Noonan, Dallas Cowboys (1st round, 12th overall pick in 1987 NFL Draft)
DE – John Dutton, Indianapolis Colts (1st Round, 5th overall pick in 1974 NFL Draft)
LB – Trev Alberts, Indianapolis Colts (1st Round, 5th overall pick in 1994 NFL Draft)
LB – Broderick Thomas, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1st round, 6th overall pick in 1989 NFL Draft)
LB – Jimmy Williams, Detroit Lions (1st round, 15th overall pick in 1982 NFL Draft)
DB – Bruce Pickens, Atlanta Falcons (1st Round, 3rd overall pick in 1991 NFL Draft)
DB – Michael Booker, Atlanta Falcons (1st Round, 11th overall pick in 1997 NFL Draft)
DB – Prince Amukamara, New York Giants (1st Round, 19th overall pick in 2011 NFL Draft)
DB – Fabian Washington, Oakland Raiders (1st Round, 23rd overall pick in 2005 NFL Draft)
We also don't want to forget the specialists:
Special Teams
PK – Alex Henery, Philadelphia Eagles (4th round, 120th overall pick in 2011 NFL Draft)
P – Sam Koch, Baltimore Ravens (6th round, 203rd overall pick in 2006 NFL Draft)
So there you have it, 22 first-round picks make up Nebraska's Offense and Defensive All-NFL Draft Team. The average draft selection of those 22 players was No. 9 overall, meaning Nebraska could field an entire starting lineup - on both sides of the ball - comprised of top-10 NFL Draft talent.
So what has made Nebraska historically so successful in the NFL Draft? After all, Nebraska is the only school to have multiple players selected in every NFL draft in the common era, and the Huskers have averaged six NFL draft picks per season over the last 50 years.
After hearing from Billy Devaney, Nebraska Football Executive Director of Player Personnel, on Friday, today we hear from Nebraska Director of Football & Recruiting Operations Andy Vaughn, who talks about how the NFL Draft success helps the Huskers recruit.
Andy Vaughn, Nebraska Director of Football & Recruiting Operations:
“I think recruiting reinforces the concept that Coach (Mike) Riley has that this is a place where kids can come in and achieve all of their goals. Nebraska is really a training ground for life. Not only can they achieve academic and athletic success, but also in the life skills area that prepares them for life after football.
“The guys that you bring in at this level should have the desire to play on Sunday. They can be a star at the next level and Nebraska is a place where you can accomplish all your goals here. With Nebraska’s track record, guys know they can come in here and be successful in the NFL. That helps us, knowing we can push that cause where they can come here, play on Sunday and do all the other things they want to accomplish.
“It’s really significant when you look at the numbers where Nebraska is ranked at positions in the draft and the streak that Nebraska has put together since the draft started. Nebraska has a strong track record of landing multiple players in the NFL draft every year. The numbers speak for themselves. We can stack up against any program in the country in getting players ready for the NFL. It’s nice when you can show people across the country how long and how consistent we’ve been in producing NFL talent.”
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