Gonzaga (Washington, DC) and IMG Academy (Florida) made history with an incredible first round at the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, Michigan. Both schools had two former players picked, making it the first time that’s ever it happen in the same draft.
It all got started when quarterback Caleb Williams was taken No. 1 overall by the Chicago Bears. The second former Eagle taken was offensive tackle Olumuyiwa “Olu” Fashanu at No. 11 by the New York Jets.
Williams was considered the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the Class of 2021. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the 5-star college football prospect didn’t play his senior season. However, he was still able to compete at the 2020 Elite 11 quarterback competition, winning the MVP award.
He passed for nearly 4,400 yards during his sophomore and junior seasons with 45 touchdown passes. He also ran for over 1,200 yards with 28 touchdowns.
IMG’s two picks were offensive tackle JC Latham going to the Tennessee Titans at No. 7 and quarterback J.J. McCarthy being taken by the Minnesota Vikings at No. 10.
It is believed that it’s the highest a pair of players from the same high school have ever been taken in NFL Draft history.
Latham and McCarthy led IMG to the High School Football America national championship in 2020.
The last time two players from the same school were drafted in the first round was in 2019 when the Edmunds brothers from Dan River High School in Virginia heard their names called on opening night. The Buffalo Bills selected linebacker Tremaine Edmunds with the No. 16 pick. Then, the Pittsburgh Steelers chose Edmunds’ brother Terrell, a safety, at No. 28.
This is still the only time that two brothers have been taken in the first round.
Making that 2019 story more interesting was the pair joined their oldest brother Trey Edmunds, who was heading into his second pro season as a running back for the New Orleans Saints.
All three played for their dad Ferrell Edmunds, who made two Pro Bowls while playing tight end for the Miami Dolphins. The elder Edmunds was the head coach at Dan River for 11 seasons, amassing an overall record of 76-45.
Overall, Florida led the way with six former high schoolers picked in Round 1 Thursday night. California was next with four former players, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas and DC had two players each. Alabama, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington each had one player selected.
