Paul Finebaum on people celebrating SEC struggling prior to the NFL Draft: 'I don't understand the glee'

Paul Finebaum believes the SEC proved once again they’re the best conference in America during the 2024 NFL Draft.

During an appearance on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, the SEC Network analyst was asked about college football fans celebrating the SEC’s misfortunes, like only sending one team to the College Football Playoff, and missing the national title game.

According to Finebaum, look no further than the 2024 NFL Draft, where the SEC led the way with 11 draftees in the first round, which moves to 14 if you count future SEC squads Texas and Oklahoma, as well.

“Greg, for a long time I’ve chewed them out, and I’ll continue too,” Finebaum told McElroy, regarding SEC haters. “I had somebody call before Thursday and say, ‘Hey, this is going to be a bad night for the SEC,’ and I said, ‘Why don’t we just wait until tomorrow?’ The guy was from Ohio State. I don’t understand the glee, in writing the SEC off, that we hear all the time, when the record is so overpowering.

“I don’t think, even what we see on New Year’s Day, and the second Monday night often in January, is really the indicator. Not to sound like John Calipari, when he would try to promote his program on NBA Draft night with lottery picks, but the NFL Draft is the clearest example of the depth of the SEC. It’s not always the same every year, but it’s pretty similar, when it comes to who dominates.”

Throughout the 2024 NFL Draft, the SEC saw players from their conference drafted far and wide, which was no surprise to anyone who’s been paying attention. The conference continually sends the most players to the league, even when some of their teams have down seasons, by their standards.

Looking ahead to next season, with the expanded College Football Playoff and the 2025 NFL Draft on the horizon, the SEC will be looking to rebound in many ways. They’re still slated to dominate the first round, looking at big boards from various outlets, and eight more Playoff teams could mean great things for the conference.

Especially with the addition of the Big 12’s best coming to the conference in the Longhorns and Sooners, Finebaum may not have to worry about defending the conference’s honor in 2024 and beyond, as the play on the field will do so itself.

Regardless, it’ll all be settled on the field, but Paul Finebaum makes some fascinating points, as he’ll continue chewing out anyone who disrespects the SEC.