Six former University of Alabama players were chosen in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday, tying a modern record for a single school.
The University of Miami initially set the standard in 2004. The night started with three Crimson Tide players selected in the top 10: receiver Jaylen Waddle (Miami Dolphins, No. 6), cornerback Patrick Surtain II (Denver Broncos, No. 9) and receiver DeVonta Smith (Philadelphia Eagles, No. 10).
Waddle will be brought together with previous Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in Miami; Smith played with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts when both were in Tuscaloosa.
Quarterback Mac Jones went at No. 15 to the New England Patriots, and afterward the Las Vegas Raiders astonished a large part of the draft world by selecting offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood at No. 17. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. had Leatherwood ranked as the current year’s No. 62 overall draft prospect.
Running back Najee Harris rounded out the class by going No. 24 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Since 2008, Alabama has had 39 first-round picks, by a wide margin the vast majority of any school.
