The 2024 NFL Draft begins on April 25 in Detroit, with 32 first-round picks. In the 88 NFL drafts, clubs selected 128 candidates from Alabama high schools and universities in the first round, as well as 29 who were not first-round picks but were in the top 32. AL.com is counting down to the draft by spotlighting players with Alabama football origins who were selected in the first 32 choices.
Three of the four occasions that NFL teams selected an Alabama high school or college player at No. 24 in the draft, they were all-star running backs.
Auburn’s James Brooks in 1981, Alabama’s Josh Jacobs in 2019, and Najee Harris in 2021 have had three 1,000-yard rushing seasons in their NFL careers.
Brooks began his career with the San Diego Chargers, where he led the NFL in all-purpose yards for the first two seasons.
With Brooks trailing Chuck Muncie for playing time at running back, the Chargers dealt him to the Cincinnati Bengals on May 29, 1984, for running back Pete Johnson. Johnson appeared in three games for San Diego. Brooks averaged 4.8 yards per run over the following eight seasons with the Bengals, accumulating 6,447 rushing yards, 3,012 receiving yards, 64 touchdowns, four Pro Bowl selections, and playing in Super Bowl XXIII.
In five seasons with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, Jacobs rushed for 5,545 yards and 46 touchdowns, while also gaining 1,448 yards receiving. This offseason, he signed a free agent contract with the Green Bay Packers.
Jacobs led the NFL with 1,653 running yards and 2,053 yards from scrimmage, earning first-team All-Pro honors for the 2022 season. He was also a Pro Bowler in 2020.
Harris had three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Harris was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie after leading the NFL in touches with 307 running attempts and 74 receptions. He is the 18th player in NFL history to run for 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons.
Butch Wilson, the other No. 24 pick with Alabama football roots, was selected 10th in the second round of the 1963 NFL Draft after starring at Hueytown High School and Alabama. The Oakland Raiders selected Wilson at No. 41 in the AFL Draft.
Wilson played halfback and defensive back at Alabama before joining the Baltimore Colts as a tight end. The Colts drafted Syracuse tight end John Mackey five picks before Wilson. During Wilson’s five seasons in Baltimore, Mackey was a Pro Bowler four times and a first-team All-Pro twice.
Wilson still did an excellent job for the Colts. When Johnny Unitas was injured in the Colts’ final preseason game shortly before the 1968 season, Baltimore sold him and a draft pick to the New York Giants for Earl Morrall, who went on to win the NFL Most Valuable Player Award.
The Dallas Cowboys own the 24th pick in this year’s draft.
