In college football, some teams dominate the field but don’t send players to the NFL Draft’s first round. In 2024-25, several squads stood out with stellar records yet lacked the spotlight of early draft picks. Here’s a look at the best teams that shined without a first-rounder, based on their performance and draft trends.
What Are the Best College Football Teams That Lacked a First-Round Pick in 2024–2025
The 2024 college football season was filled with great moments and unexpected heroes. Powerhouses stumbled, while underdogs rose to claim conference titles and playoff spots. Among them, a few teams proved greatness doesn’t always translate to first-round NFL talent.
1) Boise State Broncos
Boise State turned heads with a 12-1 record and the Mountain West crown. They stormed into the College Football Playoff as the No. 3 seed. Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty powered their offense with jaw-dropping runs.
Historically, though, Boise State rarely produces first-round picks. If Jeanty slips past the top 10 in 2025, he might miss the first round entirely.
2) Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana shocked the nation with an 11-1 finish under Curt Cignetti. They snagged a CFP berth as the No. 10 seed, mixing good offense with a brick-wall defense. The Hoosiers are also not known for churning out first-round talent; only a few, like Anthony Thompson in 1990, made the cut since 2000.
Their 2024 roster lacks clear top-30 prospects, keeping them off the draft’s opening list.
3) Army Black Knights
Army rolled to an 11-1 record and claimed the AAC title. Service academies like Army rarely send players to the NFL, let alone the first round, due to service commitments and a unique scheme.
No Black Knight has gone in the first round since at least 2000, and 2025 won’t likely change that.
4) SMU Mustangs
SMU roared to an 11-1 season and won the ACC title in their conference debut. They entered the CFP as the No. 11 seed with a high-octane offense. Past first-rounders like Courtland Sutton in 2018 are rare for SMU. This year’s roster leans on team depth rather than standout stars, making a first-round pick unlikely in 2025.
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5) Liberty Flames
Liberty went a perfect 12-0 in the regular season and took the Conference USA crown. They narrowly missed the CFP but cemented their Group of Five dominance. As a smaller program, Liberty hasn’t produced a first-round pick since climbing to FBS. Their 2024 success came from teamwork, not NFL-bound superstars.
These teams lit up the 2024 season with wins and grit. They didn’t need first-round picks to prove their worth on the field.
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