2023 NFL Draft: Picks by conference for rounds 1-3

After the first three rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft, the total players drafted from each Power Five conference took shape.

The SEC led the way in total players drafted going into the weekend rounds. But the Big Ten did not fall far behind. 

Meanwhile, the Big 12, ACC and Pac-12 were neck and neck as far as closeness in numbers.

The SEC led the way with 31 total players in the first three rounds. The Big Ten was second in poll position with 25 players.

The Big 12, ACC and Pac-12 followed with 13, 12 and 10 players respectively. The American Athletic Conference, the highest quality Group of Five Conference, had five players drafted.

As far as the remainder of the college football conferences, there were six players drafted within the first three rounds.

2023 NFL Draft: Bryce Young reacts to being drafted No. 1 overall

Bryce Young is the next franchise quarterback of the Carolina Panthers.

The former Alabama star was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft Thursday night, and he could hardly contain his emotions during his post-draft interview after shaking the commissioner’s hand.

“It’s still crazy. It’s a blessing,” Young said on the NFL Network broadcast. “I’m super grateful to be here. I’m super grateful for the blessings from God for allowing me to be here and for all the people that allowed me to do it. As amazing as this moment is, and I’m going to live in the moment, I can’t wait to get to work tomorrow an start building off of that.”

Young ended his time at Alabama as the greatest quarterback to ever come out of the program. He finished his career in Tuscaloosa throwing for 8,356 yards and 80 touchdowns — and is fully expected to dominate at the same level in the NFL. 

During his first year of starting experience during the 2021 season he did not disappoint. That season, Young completed 66.9 percent of his pass attempts, throwing for 4,872 yards with 47 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Young’s dominant 2021 season led to him winning the Heisman Trophy in a landslide with 684 first-place votes. The next closest competitor was Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who garnered 78 first-place votes.

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In 2022, Young completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 3,328 yards with 32 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. He also added 185 yards and four touchdowns rushing while leading Alabama to a 45-20 victory over Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl.

Barkley Truax contributed to this report