Four in-state players selected in first round of NFL Draft
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As usual, it was a busy opening night in the NFL Draft for players from our state.
Four total players were selected in the first round including:
- Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
- Kedlric Faulk, Auburn
- Ty Simpson, Alabama
- Peter Woods, Thompson
Keep reading to learn more about each player + continue to watch the NFL Draft this weekend to see how many players are selected in the final six rounds.
Kadyn Proctor
Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor was the first off the board, not waiting long to hear NFL commissioner Roger Goodell say his name.
Proctor was selected 12th overall by the Miami Dolphins, just behind former college teammate Caleb Downs.
The selection marked the 18th straight season the Crimson Tide have been represented in the first round of the draft. Proctor is also the third Alabama offensive linemen to be drafted in the first round in the last three years.
Ty Simpson
Simpson was the surprise of the night as the Los Angeles Rams drafted the Alabama quarterback with the 13th overall selection.
The Rams’ current quarterback Matthew Stafford is the reigning league MVP but at age 39, Stafford may not play several more years. The Rams are clearly hoping Simpson can be the quarterback of the future.
In his final season, Simpson led the Crimson Tide to the SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff. His final numbers included:
- 3,567 passing yards
- 28 passing TDs (2 rushing TDs)
- 5 interceptions
- 64.5 completion percentage
- 11-4 record
Simpson is the fifth consecutive full-time starting quarterback at Alabama to be drafted in the first round.
Peter Woods
Woods was a star at Thompson before graduating in 2022 then headed to Clemson to play under coach Dabo Swinney.
He was selected 29th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Keldric Faulk
Faulk has starred on the Auburn defense the last three years and that’s why he became the program’s first opening round pick since 2020.
While many mock drafts had the edge rusher high up the draft boards, he had to wait patiently for his name to be called. Faulk was eventually selected 31st overall by the Tennessee Titans.
During his college career, Faulk racked up 19 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries. As a junior, he was named a Lott IMPACT Trophy Semifinalist and a member of the Third Team All-SEC.
He’s the first Auburn defensive end to be selected in the first round since Dee Ford in 2014.
