USC Gamecocks Football

Spurrier ranks second in SEC history for first-round picks

South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) coach Steve Spurrier
South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) coach Steve Spurrier gmelendez@thestate.com

Former Gamecocks coach coach Steve Spurrier left a massive legacy in the SEC.

That extends to the draft, as as the annual event opens Thursday, the SEC Network posted a graphic showing the 17 first rounders that played for Spurrier ranked behind only Nick Saban’s 19.

Four of the picks came from South Carolina: cornerback Johnathan Joseph (2006), cornerback Stephon Gilmore (2012), defensive lineman Melvin Ingram (2012), defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (2014). The rest were from his Florida tenure.

Only six of the 17 picks were on the offensive side of the ball, despite Spurrier’s background there. Three were receivers, two were linemen, one was a running back.

This story was originally published April 28, 2016 at 2:26 PM with the headline "Spurrier ranks second in SEC history for first-round picks."

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