PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: (L-R) Kayden McDonald of Ohio State, Kadyn Proctor of Alabama, Arvell Reese of Ohio State, Ty Simpson of Alabama, Sonny Styles of Ohio State, Carnell Tate of Ohio State and Dillon Thieneman of Oregon pose on stage prior to Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Schooled: 7 CFB facts you ought to know from Day 1 of NFL draft

7 days ago

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The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is in the books.

A number of college football programs stood proudly Thursday as NFL franchises selected their players, with some breaking new ground and others maintaining dominance across an eventful Round 1. Here are seven neat tidbits from Day 1 in Pittsburgh:

The Mendoza effect: Indiana hadn't had a first-round NFL pick since 1994. Their last No. 1 overall selection was in 1938. Those droughts ended Thursday with Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza going to the Las Vegas Raiders first overall.

Ohio State steals the show: Three Buckeyes were drafted in the top seven: receiver Carnell Tate (No. 4), pass-rusher Arvell Reese (No. 5), and linebacker Sonny Styles (No. 7). Ohio State is the first school to have three players go in the top 10 in multiple drafts, with this year's class joining the 2016 class.

History for Notre Dame: Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price made Notre Dame the first school to produce the first two running back picks. The Fighting Irish are also the first program with two first-round tailbacks since Arkansas in 2008 (Darren McFadden and Felix Jones).

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Utah OTs stand out: For the first time in NFL draft history, two Utes were selected in the same first round. Offensive tackle Spencer Fano landed with the Cleveland Browns at No. 9 and teammate Caleb Lomu joined the New England Patriots 28th overall. Fano was the first Ute to go in the top 10 since quarterback Alex Smith (2005).

Another USC WR: With Makai Lemon going to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 20, the Trojans have produced 11 first-round wide receivers, the second-most all time. Ohio State tops that list with 14.

Death, taxes, and a Bama first-rounder: Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor landed with the Miami Dolphins at No. 12, giving the Crimson Tide at least one Round 1 selection for the 18th (!) consecutive draft, the longest streak ever.

Big Ten stands alone, finally: No conference had more first-round picks than the SEC in every draft from 2016-25. However, the Big Ten dethroned its rival Power Four conference this year, producing 10 first-round draftees, three more than the SEC.

Round 1 picks by CFB conference: