2022 NFL Draft: Alabama ties Miami for college football record

Alabama set a college football record at the 2022 NFL Draft when offensive tackle Evan Neal went to the New York Giants as the No. 7 overall selection.

That pick made it 14 straight years in which the Crimson Tide saw a player selected in the first round of the draft, matching the record set by Miami from 1995 to 2008.

What's more, it's a record that Alabama should break next year with quarterback Bryce Young and linebacker Will Anderson set to emerge as first-round NFL Draft choices.

Neal was the 40th player taken in the first round from Alabama under Nick Saban. Nor was he the last: wide receiver Jameson Williams, who transferred to the Tide from Ohio State, went to the Detroit Lions as the No. 12 overall pick.

Alabama's ongoing streak

Alabama's current 14-year run of first round picks dates back to Saban's second year with the Crimson Tide program. Offensive tackle Andre Smith started the streak, going No. 6 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Alabama's prior first round pick before then was in 2000, when offensive tackle Chris Samuels went No. 3 overall to the Washington Redskins, and running back Shaun Alexander, the No. 19 pick to the Seattle Seahawks.

Miami had 33 players taken during the Hurricanes' 14 year run of first round NFL Draft picks, but that span covered three head coaches. Alabama's has covered just one.

And looking at how well Saban has continued to recruit 16 years into his Alabama career, we can expect the school to establish the record in its own right.