Full Breakdown
SEC Sets Record with 87 Selections in the 2026 NFL Draft
4/27/2026, 12:01:18 AM
Record-Breaking Outcome
The 2026 NFL Draft saw the Southeastern Conference (SEC) achieve a historic total of 87 selections, surpassing the previous high of 79 set by the league in 2025. The conference entered the final day with 36 picks and added 51 more across the last four rounds. Oklahoma tight end Jaren Kanak became the SEC’s 80th draftee when the Tennessee Titans chose him at No. 225 overall.
Historical Context
The SEC’s surge follows a pattern of increasing draft representation. In 2025 the conference held the record at 79 picks, while the Big Ten posted 71 selections that year. In 2026 the Big Ten fell short of its prior total, delivering 68 picks—still the second-largest conference haul.
Conference and School Breakdown
- SEC (87) – Alabama (10), Texas A&M (10), Georgia (8), LSU (7), Florida (7), Texas (7), Missouri (6), Oklahoma (6), Auburn (5), Tennessee (5), Arkansas (4), Kentucky (4), South Carolina (3), Mississippi State (2), Mississippi (2), Vanderbilt (1).
- Big Ten (68) – Ohio State (11), Indiana (8), Penn State (8), Oregon (7), Washington (7), Iowa (7), Michigan (6), USC (3), Illinois (3), Michigan State (2), Northwestern (2), Maryland (1), Nebraska (1), Rutgers (1), Minnesota (1).
- ACC (38) – Miami (9), Clemson (9), Boston College (4), Duke (3), Georgia Tech (2), Stanford (2), Wake Forest (2), NC State (2), Louisville (1), Florida State (1), SMU (1), Pittsburgh (1), California (1).
- Big 12 (38) – Texas Tech (9), Arizona State (4), Arizona (4), Cincinnati (4), TCU (3), Utah (3), Kansas (2), Baylor (2), Kansas State (2), BYU (2), Iowa State (1), UCF (1), Houston (1).
- Independents (7) – Notre Dame (6), UConn (1).
- American (4) – Navy (2), Memphis (1), East Carolina (1).
- MAC (4) – Toledo (2), Miami (OH) (1), Buffalo (1).
- Mountain West (3) – San Diego State (1), Boise State (1), New Mexico (1).
- Sun Belt (2) – Georgia State (1), Louisiana (1).
- Missouri Valley (2) – NDSU (2).
- Southland (2) – SE Louisiana (1), Stephen F. Austin (1).
- C-USA (1) – single selection.
Standout School Performances
Alabama and Texas A&M led the SEC with 10 picks each, while Georgia contributed eight. Ohio State topped the Big Ten with 11 selections, and Indiana, fresh from a national championship, sent eight players to the NFL. In the ACC, both Miami and Clemson set program highs with nine draftees. Texas Tech’s nine picks propelled the Big 12 past its 2025 total of 31.
International Player Pathway Program Highlight
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Uar Bernard from Nigeria via the International Player Pathway Program; this pick is not reflected in any conference total.
Why It Matters
The SEC’s record underscores the conference’s role as a primary talent pipeline for the NFL, influencing scouting priorities and collegiate recruiting strategies. The distribution of picks across conferences also reflects shifting competitive balances, with traditionally dominant leagues like the Big Ten experiencing modest declines relative to the SEC’s surge.
What’s Next
The NFL’s offseason will feature rookie minicamps, organized team activities (OTAs), and the 2026 preseason, offering the newly drafted players from all conferences opportunities to secure roster spots and begin professional careers.
