Hurricanes’ 1st-round draft record tied by Alabama

The Miami Hurricanes’ record of six players selected in the same first round of an NFL draft stood alone for 17 years, but Alabama matched it on Thursday.

The Crimson Tide had wide receiver Jaylen Waddle go to the Miami Dolphins with the sixth pick, cornerback Patrick Surtain II picked by the Denver Broncos at

No. 9, receiver DeVonta Smith by the Philadelphia Eagles at 10, quarterback Mac Jones by the New England Patriots at 15, offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood by the Las Vegas Raiders at 17 and running back Najee Harris’ selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 24th pick tied UM’s mark.

In 2004, Miami had safety Sean Taylor (No. 5 pick, Washington Football Team), tight end Kellen Winslow II (No. 6, Cleveland Browns), linebackers Jonathan Vilma (No. 12, New

York Jets) and D.J. Williams (No. 17, Denver Broncos), offensive tackle Vernon Carey (No. 19, Miami Dolphins) and nose tackle Vince Wilfork (No. 21, New England Patriots) go as the record six first-round draftees.

When the Hurricanes did that, it broke their own record of five established two drafts earlier in 2001 when offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, tight end Jeremy Shockey, cornerback Phillip Buchanon, safety Ed Reed and cornerback Mike Rumph all went in the first round.

The Miami record had been challenged several other times since 2004, most recently a year ago when LSU had five selected in the draft’s opening round.

Alabama’s four picks among the first 15 this year also matched a record it set in that 2020 draft.

Miami and Alabama meet in the 2021 season opener for both teams on Sept. 4 in Atlanta.