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The SEC has more NFL Draft picks than any conference in America, so along with the eventual Pro Bowlers, there are bound to be some reaches, some misses and some flat-out busts.
Here are 10 of the SEC’s biggest first-round busts in the past 25 years, counting only players who were in the conference at that time. In other words, Blaine Gabbert, you’re not eligible for this list.
Warning: If you’re a Browns fan, just put the phone down now; you’ll be happier.
Warning II: If you’re an agent of an SEC player, you might want to ask the Browns not to draft your guy; you’ll both be happier.
1 JaMarcus Russell, LSU
Position: Quarterback
Drafted by: Oakland, No. 1 overall, 2007
What happened: He lasted just three years in the NFL, going 7-18 as a starter. According to ESPN, his 2009 QBR of 11.2 was the second-worst among starting quarterbacks since 2006.
Russell completed just 52 percent of his passes and threw more interceptions (23) than touchdowns (65).
2. Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
Position: Quarterback
Drafted by: Cleveland, No. 22 overall, 2014
What happened: Forget the off-field behavior, the on-field performance wasn’t much better. In eight career starts, he has thrown 7 TD passes and 7 interceptions. The Browns just released him and his NFL future is very much in doubt.
3. Trent Richardson, Alabama
Position: Running back
Drafted by: Cleveland, No. 3 overall, 2012
What happened: Richardson averaged just 3.3 yards per carry in three seasons with the Browns and Colts. The Browns traded him, and the Colts released him. He was out of the league in 2015.
4. Heath Shuler, Tennessee
Position: Quarterback
Drafted by: Washington, No. 3 overall, 1994
What happened: Washington gave up on him after three seasons, and he only lasted one more in New Orleans. Accuracy was his Achilles. Shuler completed just 49 percent of his passes, throwing twice as many interceptions (33) as touchdowns (15).
5. Ronnie Brown/Cadillac Williams, Auburn
Position: Running back
Drafted by: Miami, No. 2 overall; Tampa Bay, No. 5 overall, 2005
What happened: They go together, just like they played and ran together at Auburn. Brown played 10 seasons in the NFL but topped 1,000 yards just once. It was a perfectly fine NFL career for a middle-round draft pick.
Williams also had a 1,000-yard season, as a rookie. He lasted seven season, finishing with 4,038 career yards.
6. Derrick Harvey, Florida
Position: Defensive end
Drafted by: Jacksonville, No. 8 overall, 2008
What happened: A dominant force on the Gators’ 2006 national championship team, Harvey had just 8 career sacks and lasted four seasons in the NFL.
7. Troy Williamson, South Carolina
Position: Wide receiver
Drafted by: Minnesota, No. 7 overall, 2005
What happened: The Vikings needed to replace Randy Moss. They picked Williamson, who lasted five years and finished with 87 catches for 1,131 yards and 4 touchdowns. That’s an off year for Julio Jones.
8. Rolando McClain, Alabama
Position: Linebacker
Drafted by: Oakland, No. 8 overall, 2010
What happened: The former Tide All-American had just 9.5 sacks in five NFL seasons. He was out of the league in 2013 but resurfaced in 2014 with Dallas, where is trying to revitalize his career. He’s a starter, but there are undrafted free agents who have become Pro Bowlers, and McClain hasn’t come close to that.
9. Tim Tebow, Florida
Position: Quarterback
Drafted by: Denver, No. 25 overall, 2010
What happened: A Heisman Trophy winner and two-time national champion at Florida, Tebow couldn’t overcome throwing issues in the NFL. He led Denver to a playoff win and threw almost twice as many touchdown passes (17) as interceptions (9), but NFL teams simply didn’t trust the accuracy (47.9 percent).
10. Tim Couch, Kentucky
Position: Quarterback
Drafted by: Cleveland, No. 1 overall, 1999
What happened: Couch still holds the SEC’s single-season record for passing yards in a season, but he couldn’t reproduce that magic with the Browns. He had one 3,000-yard season — back when 3,o00 yard passing seasons meant something — and finished his career with 67 TD passes and 67 interceptions.
Honorable Mentions
Dee Milliner, Alabama
Position: Defensive Back
Drafted by: New York Jets, No. 9 overall, 2013
Jamaal Anderson, Arkansas
Position: Defensive End
Drafted by: Atlanta, No. 8 overall, 2007
Berkavious Mingo, LSU
Position: Defensive End
Drafted by: Cleveland, No. 6 overall, 2013
Managing Editor
A 30-time APSE award-winning editor with previous stints at the Miami Herald, The Indianapolis Star and News & Observer, Executive Editor Chris Wright oversees editorial operations for Saturday Down South.
