After having more than 36 hours of removing myself from watching the 2015 NFL draft, all I can say is WOW!
Just one year after seeing the state having 44 players taken in the 2014 NFL Draft and topping the nation for most picks, the Sunshine State flexed its muscle once again with 39 players to top the list again. You can check out the list of the draft picks here from our draft tracker.
However, there are some differences compared to last year’s draft and this year’s draft. The biggest difference though has to be the fact the 2015 class was just not as strong overall. But with that said, it didn’t keep Florida from pulling the honors of being the top state again for the most draft picks.
Now looking at the numbers (thanks to Craig Sager II for the info graphic in the tweet below),. Matter of fact, only six states managed to reach double digits in the number of players taken, which last year had seen seven states top double digits.
https://twitter.com/CraigSagerJr/status/594684465261084672
Here is the double digit breakdown of the last two years
| State | 2015 | 2014 |
| Florida | 39 | 44 |
| Georgia | 30 | 17 |
| Texas | 27 | 24 |
| California | 26 | 35 |
| Alabama | 14 | 7 |
| Ohio | 10 | 10 |
| Virginia | 2 | 10 |
As you notice once again, Florida slipped this year, but by only five players and still managed to keep the top spot with some breathing room. However, look closer and you will notice the top three states are all very well with in the Sun Belt region and throw in California and then we are certainly talking power football in the NFL coming from the power states.
If you combined the total picks between the last two drafts which comes out to 512 picks, Florida has contributed over 16% of the newest NFL talent in the last two seasons through the NFL Draft. Just this year alone Florida contributed just over 15% of the talent taken in the draft.
Will the trend continue in 2016? It might, depending on who you listen to for your draft analysis and maybe this tweet below might be something worth watching (hint, hint St. Thomas Aquinas).
Meet the 2016 NFL Draft’s potential No. 1 pick http://t.co/TlqHk3BmsP pic.twitter.com/AKOPRofTNo
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) May 4, 2015
