2015 NFL Draft Shows SEC Still Best Place to Prep for Pros
The 2015 NFL Draft saw 54 players out of the SEC hearing their names called, and another 55 more (to date) have been signed as undrafted free agents, proving once again that if you want to make it to the NFL, the SEC is your best starting point.
More from Alabama Crimson Tide
- Alabama vs. Ole Miss: Line, Prediction, TV Channel & Live Stream for SEC Football
- Alabama vs. Ole Miss: SEC Football Week 4 Preview, Prediction
- Alabama Football’s 2023 Problem: Bill O’Brien
- Texas at Alabama: 2023 SEC football Week 2 game preview, prediction
- Alabama vs. Texas: Line, Prediction, TV Channel & Live Stream for SEC Football
For nine consecutive years now the SEC has led the nation in most draft picks from a single conference. While no single program dominated the top (Florida State took that honor this year), the league as a whole was still far and away the place where NFL coaches and scouts were looking.
All of this comes during a time in which those who have grown weary of hearing about the SEC decry it as an overrated and over-hyped conference who merely get recognition because of past successes and ties to ESPN, among others.
Looks like the guys who make decisions in the NFL disagree.
Bottom line…want to hear your named called in April-May? Commit to one of the 14 schools in the SEC, and your odds automatically increase.
When it comes to making it to the NFL, the scouts aren’t concerned with national championship rings, or trophies (although those are nice to have too). What matters is that for the most part, players who spend time in the SEC are more prepared for the NFL game.
With the exception of Auburn (who runs a read-option style offense) and Texas A&M (who runs a variation of the air raid offense) teams in the SEC run traditional pro-style offensive sets similar to what will be experienced on Sundays in the NFL. Defensively, the SEC is well known for producing some of the speediest and most talented players who have matched up against multiple offensive sets.
There were a few holes, as no SEC quarterbacks were drafted this year, and Tennessee was shut out of the draft for the first time since 1963. Vanderbilt also saw their 3-year streak of having a player drafted come to an end. Those blips aside, it was an extremely successful draft weekend for players coming out of the SEC.
Congratulations to all the SEC players who were drafted or signed this year. Best of luck in your NFL futures.