Day 1 of the NFL draft was a good one for the SEC, which had 11 players selected in the first round, including 10 of the first 23 picks.
It's on to the second and third rounds later Friday night, and several more SEC players are sure to hear their names called. A year ago, the SEC had 32 players selected in the top three rounds.
The SEC guys projected to go the earliest when the draft resumes Friday night, in alphabetical order, are Missouri defensive end Kony Ealy, South Carolina receiver Bruce Ellington, Alabama offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio and Vanderbilt receiver Jordan Matthews.
Ellington has seen his stock soar in the months leading up to the draft, and Matthews has everything it takes (size, speed, hands, smarts and character) to be one of those receivers who plays 10-plus seasons in the league.
Here's a checklist of some other SEC players to keep an eye on in the second and third rounds:
DT Ego Ferguson, LSU
CB Vic Hampton, South Carolina
RB Jeremy Hill, LSU
DT Anthony Johnson, LSU
RB Tre Mason, Auburn
QB AJ McCarron, Alabama
DT Dan McCullers, Tennessee
QB Zach Mettenberger, LSU
WR Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss
QB Aaron Murray, Georgia
OG Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State
WR Jarvis Landry, LSU
S Craig Loston, LSU
WR Kevin Norwood, Alabama
DT Kelcy Quarles, South Carolina
CB Loucheiz Purifoy, Florida
OT Antonio Richardson, Tennessee
CB Marcus Roberson, Florida
DE Chris Smith, Arkansas
DE Ed Stinson, Alabama
OG Trai Turner, LSU
CB Jaylen Watkins, Florida
