The SEC hasn’t produced an NFL first-round quarterback since Johnny Manziel in 2014. But in the inaugural XFL draft, it didn’t take long at all for a former SEC signal-caller to hear his name called.

Actually, it happened before the draft even began.

The first XFL draft is following a unique set of rules. Before the selection process even started, a quarterback was assigned to each team. Both ex-Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray and former Ole Miss signal-caller Jordan Ta’amu were part of the group of eight quarterbacks assigned to a roster before drafting began Tuesday morning.

Murray went to the Tampa Bay Vipers, who have the fifth overall pick while the St. Louis BattleHawks, who will select sixth, will get Ta’amu.

Another difference from a typical sports draft, the XFL selection process will have phases, where teams pick from a specific position group, rather than rounds. There are 1,000 players available in the draft, but the first phase Tuesday only lets teams select skilled players.

Murray spent time with four NFL teams after going in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Kansas City Chiefs. He threw for more than 13,000 yards and 121 touchdowns at Georgia from 2010-13.

Ta’amu went unselected in the 2019 NFL Draft after throwing for 5,600 yards and 30 touchdowns at Ole Miss from 2017-18.