5 Highest NFL Draft Picks From Alabama High Schools Since 2010
Within the past 10 years, there has been arguably the best pure group of talent selected from the state of Alabama. It will take a spectacular talent to join this group in the future as top NFL Draft picks from Alabama high schools.
- Jameis Winston (Hueytown)
Arguably one of the top high school football players ever to come from Alabama, Winston was a dominant two-sport athlete at Hueytown. Winston was regarded as the top QB in the country coming out of high school where he won numerous honors and accolades before attending Florida State. Winston was a two-year starter for the Seminoles where he led FSU to the 2013 National Championship, while also winning the 2013 Heisman Trophy. Winston was selected with the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he threw for over 19,000+ yards and 121 TDs during his six seasons in Tampa Bay. Winston recently spent the 2020 season with the New Orleans Saints.
- Quinnen Williams (Wenonah)
Quinnen Williams played at Wenonah High School where he was one of the top players in the state in the Class of 2016. Williams went to Alabama where he dominated on the defensive line for two years collecting 91 tackles and 10 sacks during that time, while also being selected as the winner of the Outland trophy among many other honors. Williams was selected with the third overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the New York Jets where he has collected 83 tackles and 9.5 sacks during his two seasons so far.
- Marcell Dareus (Huffman)
Marcell Dareus was a dominant defensive lineman for Huffman where he totaled 117 tackles and 20 sacks as a senior before going to Alabama. Dareus was a three-year player for the Crimson Tide where he had 71 tackles and 11 sacks, while also earning defensive MVP in the 2009 National Championship Game. Dareus was selected with the third overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills – becoming the highest selected defensive lineman in Alabama history. Dareus spent the first seven years of his career with the Bills, but has spent the past three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Dareus has 365 tackles and 37.5 sacks so far during his 10-year NFL career.
- Julio Jones (Foley)
Julio Jones starred for Foley High School where he went to Alabama as the No. 1 WR in the country. Jones started in every game during his three seasons with the Crimson Tide totaling over 2,600 receiving yards and 15 TDs, and was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. Jones has started in every game that he has played in so far during his 10-year NFL career, and has totaled over 12,000+ yards receiving and 60 TDs, all with the Falcons. Julio is also a 7x Pro-Bowler and a 2x All-Pro, and is on a career path to the Pro-Football Hall of Fame.
- Mark Barron (St. Paul’s Episcopal)
Mark Barron played multiple positions at St. Paul’s in high school, but went to Alabama as the No. 1 ranked LB in the country. Barron shined on the Crimson Tide defense for four seasons totaling 237 tackles and 12 INTs before he was selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Barron has so far spent his eight-year career with four teams – the Buccaneers, Rams, Steelers and Broncos, where he has totaled over 700+ tackles.
These five players were special throughout high school, college, and now the NFL. Will someone else be joining this group within the next week?
Written by: Matt Melton
