Finding the Real Position U: Defense & Special Teams

Using the Jimmy Johnson trade value chart to find which colleges send the most defensive talent to the NFL, and where the Nebraska Cornhuskers rank next to them.

Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in action during the 2009 Big 12 championship game against Texas. / Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

The NFL draft is upon us.

While this holiday is more commonly celebrated among NFL fans, it also serves as an excellent opportunity for college fan bases to revel in the success of their graduated heroes. Many schools like to claim the title of Linebacker U or Tight End U, and the 2025 NFL draft will likely further some of those claims.

I’ll analyze the entirety of the modern draft era (post-1967). I’ll also weigh picks according to the Jimmy Johnson trade value chart. This gives more value to the No. 1 overall pick, 3000 points, than the last pick (one point for all picks beyond the 2025 final draft pick value). To determine the Position Group U, we sum the draft value of NFL teams on players from those schools.

Next. Finding the Real Position U: Offense. Finding the Real Position U: Offense. dark

Defensive Tackle U

Like the tight end position, the title of Defensive Tackle U is contested between Miami and Notre Dame. This time, the edge goes to the Hurricanes thanks to the 1991 top-overall pick, Russell Maryland. The U has produced ten more first-round defensive tackles, including NFL legends Warren Sapp and Vince Wilfork.

Former Husker defensive tackle Danny Noonan (73) in action with the Dallas Cowboys in 1988. / RVR Photos-Imagn Images

The Huskers have a strong showing in the defensive tackle rankings thanks to one man – Ndamukong Suh. Danny Noonan and Jason Peter also come in as first-round picks at the defensive tackle position for the Huskers. With 27 players drafted, the Blackshirts have sent the sixth-most defensive tackles into the NFL.

School	Points	Top Player
Miami	14,212	Russell Maryland, Cortez Kennedy, Jerome Brown
Notre Dame	12,374	Mike McCoy, Steve Niehus, Bryant Young
Alabama	11,228	Quinnen Williams, Marcell Dareus, Da'Ron Payne
USC	10,563	Darrell Russell, Gary Jeter, Sedrick Ellis
Texas	10,156	Kenneth Sims, Byron Murphy II, Casey Hampton

Defensive End U

The Florida State Seminoles rank No. 1 overall for Defensive End U. The Seminoles have the second-most drafted defensive ends in the modern draft era, just behind Miami. Florida State had defensive ends drafted top-five overall in back-to-back years in 1997 and 1998 (Andre Wadsworth and Peter Boulware). The Seminoles have recently added to their defensive end output with first-round draft picks in 2022 and 2024.

Former Husker Adam Carriker of the Washington Redskins pursues the Philadelphia Eagles' Jeremy Maclin during a 2010 game. / Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

Defensive end is tied for the Blackshirts' strongest unit (before the Abdul Carter pick in the 2025 draft), with the Huskers ranking sixth nationally in defensive ends produced. Neil Smith, the second-overall pick in the 1988 draft, leads the group, followed by John Dutton at third overall. Adam Carriker, the 13th overall pick in 2006, is the Huskers' third-most recent first-round pick.

School	Points	Top Player
Florida State	15,157	Andre Wadsworth, Peter Boulware, Jamal Reynolds
Ohio State	14,330	Chase Young, Nick Bosa, Joey Bosa
Notre Dame	12,364	Walt Patulski, Kevin Hardy, Ross Browner
Miami (FL)	12,328	Eddie Edwards, Jerome McDougle, Kendard Lang
Alabama	12,309	Jon Hand, John Copeland, Eric Curry

Linebacker U

While Penn State has long claimed the title of Linebacker U due to their nation-leading 64 drafted linebackers, the Nittany Lions rank fourth in draft capital allocated to their linebackers. However, with five first-round picks, the Alabama Crimson Tide can also claim the title of Linebacker U. Their top pick was Cornelius Bennett, selected second-overall in 1987. Will Anderson Jr., the third pick in 2023, adds to Alabama’s impressive total of twelve first-round linebackers.

Former Husker linebacker Lavonte David of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after a sack against the Los Angeles Chargers last season. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

For the Huskers, the linebacker position ties with the defensive end for the nation's sixth-most allocated draft capital. Huskers’ linebackers have been drafted 4-6 overall over five years from 1989 to 1994. Lavonte David, a second-round draft pick, is on the way to Canton, Ohio.

School	Points	Top Player
Alabama	20,461	Andre Wadsworth, Peter Boulware, Jamal Reynolds
USC	19,401	Chip Banks, Duane Bickett, Junior Seau
Ohio State	16,659	Tom Cousineau, AJ Hawk, Rick Middelton
Penn State	14,921	Lavar Arrington, Shane Conlan, Ed O'Neil
Florida	13,449	Dante Fowler, Wilber Marshall, Glen Cameron

Defensive Back U

With twenty defensive backs drafted in the first round of the NFL draft, the Ohio State Buckeyes are not only WRU, but also DBU. Not only do they produce quality draft picks, but they’ve also produced the most DB picks in the nation with 63 in the modern draft era.

Former Husker cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) of the Chicago Bears in action in 2019. / David Banks-Imagn Images

The Huskers are 12th in the nation for the production of defensive back talent. The top two picks both went to the Atlanta Falcons – Bruce Pickens and Michael Booker. Prince Amukamara and Fabian Washington are the two latest first-round DBs produced by Nebraska.

School	Points	Top Player
Ohio State	26,051	Jeff Okudah, Shawn Springs, Denzel Ward
LSU	19,824	Derek Stingley Jr, Patrick Peterson, Jamal Adams
Alabama	19,298	Mark Barron, Antonio Langham, Dee Milliner
Texas	18,588	Bryant Westbrook, Quentin Jammer, Mossy Cade
Miami	16,211	Bennie Blades, Sean Taylor, Antrel Rolle

Kicker U

Given the weight system of the Jimmy Johnson chart and the relative value of specialists in the draft, a single outlier draft pick can sway the leaderboard. That’s precisely what happened for the Texas Longhorns. The Saints drafted Russell Erxleben 11th-overall in 1979 as a combination kicker and punter. Erxleben would have a six-year career as an average punter, only kicking eight field goals (making four).

Former Husker Alex Henery kicks an extra point for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013. / Howard Smith-Imagn Images

The Huskers have had four kickers drafted, all at reasonable points in the draft. The top pick, Alex Henery, was selected in the fourth round of the 2011 draft. In 1971, Paul Rogers joined the unrelated Josh and Kris Brown as the only other Husker kickers drafted. Despite some good kicking talent in recent years, the Huskers rank just 36th in the Kicker U ratings.

School	Points	Top Player
Texas	1,449	Russell Erxleben, Happy Feller, David Conway
Florida State	1,352	Sebastian Janikowski, Roberto Aguayo, Grant Guthrie
Arkansas	1,351	Steve Little, Bill McClard, Cam Little
UCLA	842	John Lee, Frank Corral, Justin Medlock
Hillsdale	560	Chester Marcol

Punter U

Like the kicker position, one high draft pick can propel a school to the top of the Punter U rankings. Southern Miss achieved this by sending Ray Guy, arguably the greatest punter in football history, to the NFL as a first-round pick in 1972. Guy remains the only pure punter selected in the first round.

Former Husker Sam Koch punts during a Baltimore Ravens game in 2021. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Sam Koch is the only Husker punter drafted into the NFL. The former Nebraska walk-on had a legendary career with the Ravens and is considered a revolutionary figure in NFL punting strategy. Nebraska ranks 53rd nationally in punting talent sent to the NFL.

School	Points	Top Player
Southern Miss	760	Ray Guy
Ohio State	610	Tom Skladany, BJ Sander, Brent Bartholomew
Florida State	560	Rohn Stark
Michigan State	544	Ray Stachowicz, Greg Montgomery, Bryce Baringer
North Carolina State	5101	Johnny Evans, Trenton Gill

While draft capital doesn't guarantee future NFL success, it is a reasonable indicator of the talent various programs produce. Consistently high draft picks in certain position groups can be a valuable recruiting tool for programs and help build future playoff contenders.

Next. 2025 NFL Draft Central. 2025 NFL Draft Central. dark

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