SEC's Top Draft Picks Dwindle, Other Conferences Rise

0:00On April 24th, the 2026 NFL draft hit the SEC hard right out the gate, not one player from those 16 powerhouse schools win the top five picks. Instead, we saw Indiana's quarterback Fernando Mendoza snag number one, Texas Tech's defensive lineman David Bailey at number two, Notre Dame's. Running back Jeremiah Love at three, and Ohio State's wide receiver, Carnell Tate and Linebacker, Arville Reese, rounding out four and five. Only one SEC guy made the top ten overall. LSU cornerback Mansor DeLane picked six by the chiefs after they traded up. Even with Texas and Oklahoma joining the conference, the SEC's first round total dropped to just seven players, the lowest since 2015. Fans and analysts are buzzing about how the expanded playoff, NIL deals, and transfer portal are leveling the field. Loses outside the SEC are building stars faster, turning programs like Indiana and Texas Tech into talent factories. Looking back, the last top five shed out for the SEC was 2018, and no top ten picks happen

1:05way back in 2006. Drafts fluctuate year to year, but this signals the big ten and others closing the gap. Still, the SEC's loaded with future studs like Texas quarterback Archmaning and edge rushers from Texas and South Carolina who could dominate next. Draft, competition's fiercer now, pushing everyone to elevate their game. That wraps NFL news today, brought to you with AI, I'm Corey with the story.