NFL Draft: Which SEC players have been taken No. 1 overall?

Florida Gators – None 

Georgia Bulldogs – Frank Sinkwich (1943), Charley Trippi (1945), Harry Babcock (1953), Matthew Stafford (2009), Travon Walker (2022) 

As for Georgia, the Bulldogs have had a total of five players selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft, which is the most of any SEC team, the first of which was Frank Sinkwich in 1943. Sinkwich was selected by the Detroit Lions, and would play four seasons in the NFL from 1943-47, making one Pro Bowl.

Only two years later, Georgia would have another top pick in Charley Trippi, who was selected No. 1 overall in 1945 by the then Chicago Cardinals. A Hall of Famer, Trippi would play nine seasons in the NFL from 1947-55, making two Pro Bowls with one All-Pro selection, as well as being a one-time Super Bowl champion.

Georgia’s next top pick would come in 1953 with Harry Babcock, who was selected first by the San Francisco 49ers. Babcock would play three seasons in the NFL from 1953-55.

After Babcock, Georgia would not see another No. 1 overall pick until 2009 when quarterback Matthew Stafford was taken by the Detroit Lions. A one-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, Stafford has so far played 14 seasons in the NFL from 2009-22.

The Bulldogs final top pick is the SEC’s most recent in Travon Walker, who was taken No. 1 overall in 2022 by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Walker is currently entering his second NFL season.

Kentucky Wildcats – Tim Couch (1999)

Kentucky has had only one player go No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft in Tim Couch, who went first to the Cleveland Browns in 1999. Couch would play five seasons in the NFL from 1999-2003.