As of 2023, the Memphis football program has produced 138 NFL & AFL Draft picks. An additional 44 Memphis players have gone on to be signed by teams as undrafted free agents. In 2020, Isaac Bruce became the first Memphis player inducted in to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Pro Football Hall of Fame currently ranks former Tiger Stephen Gostkowski as the sixth-best kicker in NFL history.[1] Other notable former Memphis players include Andy Nelson, Dick Hudson, Harry Schuh, Tim Harris, DeAngelo Williams, and Dontari Poe.
Since 2019, the Memphis program has become known for producing a number of successful NFL running backs, including four drafted from 2019 to 2021 and a fifth signed as a free agent in 2020. In September 2021, sportscaster Dan Patrick dubbed Memphis the new "Running Back U".[2] Of the five NFL running backs Memphis produced in this period, four played as starters: Darrell Henderson for Los Angeles, Antonio Gibson for Washington, Kenneth Gainwell for Philadelphia, and Tony Pollard for Dallas. Pollard was selected to the 2022 Pro Bowl in his fourth season.
currently active players are in bold
| Year
|
Round
|
Pick
|
Overall
|
Player
|
Team
|
Position
|
Professional achievements
|
| 1951
|
16
|
10
|
193
|
Bill Robertson
|
Los Angeles Rams
|
E
|
|
| 1953
|
22
|
4
|
257
|
Wayne Wood
|
Chicago Bears
|
T
|
|
| 1954
|
24
|
7
|
284
|
Will Renfro
|
Washington Redskins
|
E
|
|
| 1956
|
22
|
10
|
263
|
Joe Billings
|
Chicago Bears
|
T
|
|
| 1957
|
11
|
5
|
126
|
Andy Nelson
|
Baltimore Colts
|
QB
|
Pro Bowl (1960), First Team All-Pro (1959), Second Team All-Pro (1958), 2× NFL Champion (1958, 1959)
|
| 14
|
11
|
168
|
Bob Schmidt
|
Chicago Bears
|
B
|
|
| 1958
|
25
|
3
|
292
|
Hal Divine
|
Philadelphia Eagles
|
T
|
|
| 26
|
4
|
305
|
Bob Lyles
|
Chicago Bears
|
B
|
|
| 1961
|
3
|
8
|
36
|
James Earl Wright
|
Philadelphia Eagles
|
QB
|
|
| 14
|
2
|
106
|
James Earl Wright
|
Boston Patriots
|
QB
|
|
| 12
|
10
|
164
|
Donald Coffey
|
San Francisco 49ers
|
E
|
|
| 25
|
7
|
199
|
Donald Coffey
|
San Diego Chargers
|
E
|
|
| 1962
|
2
|
8
|
16
|
Dick Hudson
|
San Diego Chargers
|
T
|
AFL All-Star (1965), 2× AFL Champion (1964, 1964), Bills All-1960s Team
|
| 15
|
8
|
120
|
Fred Moore
|
San Diego Chargers
|
DT
|
|
| 10
|
13
|
135
|
Fred Moore
|
Baltimore Colts
|
T
|
|
| 18
|
8
|
144
|
Dennis Biodrowski
|
San Diego Chargers
|
G
|
AFL Champion (1966)
|
| 16
|
11
|
221
|
Dennis Biodrowski
|
Cleveland Browns
|
G
|
|
| 1963
|
4
|
1
|
43
|
John Griffin
|
Los Angeles Rams
|
B
|
|
| 8
|
5
|
61
|
John Griffin
|
Denver Broncos
|
B
|
|
| 27
|
4
|
212
|
Dick Quast
|
Buffalo Bills
|
G
|
|
| 16
|
5
|
215
|
Dick Quast
|
Baltimore Colts
|
G
|
|
| 16
|
12
|
222
|
Charlie Killett
|
New York Giants
|
B
|
|
| 29
|
4
|
228
|
Charlie Killett
|
Buffalo Bills
|
B
|
|
| 1964
|
5
|
9
|
65
|
Charley Brooks
|
St. Louis Cardinals
|
E
|
|
| 14
|
3
|
107
|
Charley Brooks
|
New York Jets
|
E
|
|
| 18
|
3
|
139
|
Bill Scott
|
New York Jets
|
G
|
|
| 13
|
6
|
174
|
Russ Vollmer
|
Minnesota Vikings
|
B
|
|
| 23
|
5
|
181
|
John Evans
|
Buffalo Bills
|
T
|
|
| 17
|
9
|
233
|
John Evans
|
St. Louis Cardinals
|
T
|
|
| 1965
|
1
|
3
|
3
|
Harry Schuh
|
Oakland Raiders
|
DT
|
Pro Bowl (1970), 2× AFL All-Star (1967, 1969), All-AFL (1969), AFL Champion (1967), Raiders All-Time Team
|
| 5
|
13
|
65
|
Doug Woodlief
|
Los Angeles Rams
|
E
|
|
| 11
|
13
|
153
|
Olie Cordill
|
Cleveland Browns
|
B
|
|
| 1966
|
5
|
8
|
41
|
Bob Sherlag
|
Buffalo Bills
|
WR
|
|
| 6
|
4
|
84
|
Bob Sherlag
|
Philadelphia Eagles
|
WR
|
|
| 12
|
4
|
104
|
Harry Day
|
Houston Oilers
|
DE
|
|
| 15
|
4
|
219
|
Harry Day
|
Philadelphia Eagles
|
T
|
|
| 17
|
13
|
258
|
Dave Hathcock
|
Green Bay Packers
|
DB
|
Super Bowl champion (I), NFL champion (1966)
|
| 1968
|
5
|
26
|
137
|
Francis Winkler
|
Green Bay Packers
|
DE
|
|
| 7
|
21
|
168
|
Dale Brady
|
Cleveland Browns
|
RB
|
|
| 11
|
16
|
289
|
Rich Coady
|
Chicago Bears
|
TE
|
|
| 14
|
5
|
359
|
Herb Covington
|
New Orleans Saints
|
RB
|
|
| 14
|
7
|
361
|
Chuck DeVeliegher
|
Buffalo Bills
|
DT
|
|
| 15
|
19
|
400
|
Bob Baxter
|
Cleveland Browns
|
WR
|
|
| 1969
|
17
|
16
|
432
|
Joe Rushing
|
San Francisco 49ers
|
LB
|
|
| 1970
|
5
|
17
|
121
|
Danny Pierce
|
Washington Redskins
|
RB
|
|
| 5
|
19
|
123
|
Bob Parker
|
Detroit Lions
|
G
|
|
| 9
|
9
|
217
|
Preston Riley
|
San Francisco 49ers
|
WR
|
|
| 10
|
6
|
240
|
Steve Jaggard
|
Philadelphia Eagles
|
DB
|
|
| 16
|
19
|
409
|
Jerry Todd
|
Detroit Lions
|
DB
|
|
| 1971
|
12
|
15
|
301
|
James Hayden
|
Cincinnati Bengals
|
DE
|
|
| 14
|
21
|
359
|
David Vaughn
|
Miami Dolphins
|
TE
|
|
| 17
|
24
|
440
|
John Bomer
|
Dallas Cowboys
|
C
|
|
| 1972
|
5
|
25
|
129
|
Charlie Babb
|
Miami Dolphins
|
DB
|
|
| 7
|
17
|
173
|
Ray Jamieson
|
Oakland Raiders
|
RB
|
|
| 13
|
16
|
328
|
John Kirschner
|
Detroit Lions
|
TE
|
|
| 1973
|
11
|
8
|
268
|
Jay Douglas
|
San Diego Chargers
|
C
|
|
| 13
|
3
|
315
|
Stan Davis
|
Philadelphia Eagles
|
WR
|
|
| 1974
|
3
|
10
|
62
|
Cliff Taylor
|
Chicago Bears
|
RB
|
|
| 1975
|
9
|
16
|
224
|
Everett Taylor
|
New York Jets
|
DB
|
|
| 17
|
21
|
437
|
Carl Taylor
|
Washington Redskins
|
DE
|
|
| 1976
|
15
|
10
|
413
|
Jerry Dandridge
|
Green Bay Packers
|
LB
|
|
| 16
|
18
|
449
|
Mike Fuhrman
|
Baltimore Colts
|
TE
|
|
| 1977
|
1
|
24
|
24
|
Bob Rush
|
San Diego Chargers
|
C
|
|
| 3
|
24
|
80
|
Terdell Middleton
|
St. Louis Cardinals
|
RB
|
Pro Bowl (1978)
|
| 4
|
20
|
104
|
Eric Harris
|
Kansas City Chiefs
|
DB
|
|
| 4
|
23
|
107
|
Earl Jones
|
Los Angeles Rams
|
DE
|
|
| 6
|
4
|
143
|
Bob Jordan
|
New York Giants
|
T
|
|
| 1978
|
1
|
9
|
9
|
Keith Simpson
|
Seattle Seahawks
|
DB
|
|
| 2
|
8
|
36
|
Keith Butler
|
Seattle Seahawks
|
LB
|
2× Super Bowl champion (XL, XLIII)
|
| 5
|
12
|
122
|
Keith Wright
|
Cleveland Browns
|
WR
|
|
| 1979
|
2
|
8
|
36
|
Earnest Gray
|
New York Giants
|
WR
|
|
| 2
|
26
|
54
|
Eddie Hill
|
Los Angeles Rams
|
RB
|
|
| 7
|
12
|
177
|
Judson Flint
|
New England Patriots
|
DB
|
|
| 1980
|
12
|
5
|
310
|
James Stewart
|
Green Bay Packers
|
DB
|
|
| 1981
|
12
|
22
|
326
|
Keith Clark
|
Buffalo Bills
|
LB
|
|
| 1983
|
2
|
28
|
56
|
Richard Williams
|
Washington Redskins
|
RB
|
|
| 1984
|
1
|
24
|
24
|
Derrick Crawford
|
San Francisco 49ers
|
WR
|
|
| 1985
|
1
|
14
|
14
|
Derrick Burroughs
|
Buffalo Bills
|
DB
|
|
| 3
|
10
|
66
|
Tim Long
|
Minnesota Vikings
|
T
|
|
| 3
|
11
|
67
|
Donnie Elder
|
New York Jets
|
DB
|
|
| 6
|
19
|
159
|
Jack Oliver
|
New York Giants
|
G
|
|
| 10
|
28
|
280
|
James Bowers
|
Seattle Seahawks
|
DB
|
|
| 11
|
8
|
288
|
Punkin Williams
|
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
RB
|
|
| 1986
|
3
|
15
|
70
|
Jeff Walker
|
San Diego Chargers
|
T
|
|
| 4
|
2
|
84
|
Tim Harris
|
Green Bay Packers
|
LB
|
Pro Bowl (1989), 2× First-Team All-Pro (1988, 1989), Super Bowl champion (XXIX)
|
| 6
|
14
|
152
|
Gary Hunt
|
Cincinnati Bengals
|
DB
|
|
| 8
|
4
|
198
|
Trell Hooper
|
Indianapolis Colts
|
DB
|
|
| 1987
|
3
|
4
|
60
|
David Brandon
|
Buffalo Bills
|
LB
|
|
| 1988
|
7
|
12
|
177
|
Tim Borcky
|
Buffalo Bills
|
T
|
|
| 9
|
12
|
233
|
Scott Dill
|
Phoenix Cardinals
|
T
|
|
| 1989
|
7
|
17
|
184
|
Mike Nettles
|
Seattle Seahawks
|
DB
|
|
| 10
|
24
|
275
|
Greg Ross
|
Miami Dolphins
|
DT
|
|
| 12
|
2
|
309
|
James Cribbs
|
Detroit Lions
|
DE
|
|
| 12
|
21
|
328
|
Marlon Brown
|
Cleveland Browns
|
LB
|
|
| 1990
|
5
|
23
|
132
|
Charles Wilson
|
Green Bay Packers
|
WR
|
|
| 8
|
2
|
195
|
Tory Epps
|
Atlanta Falcons
|
DT
|
|
| 1991
|
5
|
15
|
126
|
Reggie Jones
|
New Orleans Saints
|
DB
|
|
| 5
|
24
|
135
|
Jeff Fite
|
Green Bay Packers
|
P
|
|
| 6
|
5
|
144
|
Eduardo Vega
|
Phoenix Cardinals
|
T
|
|
| 1993
|
4
|
27
|
111
|
Russell Copeland
|
Buffalo Bills
|
WR
|
|
| 8
|
10
|
206
|
Jeff Buffaloe
|
Los Angeles Rams
|
P
|
|
| 1994
|
2
|
4
|
33
|
Isaac Bruce
|
Los Angeles Rams
|
WR
|
4× Pro Bowl (1996, 1999—2001), Second-Team All-Pro (1999), Super Bowl champion (XXXIV), NFL Receiving Yards Leader (1996), Pro Football Hall of Fame
|
| 5
|
23
|
154
|
Tony Semple
|
Detroit Lions
|
G
|
|
| 7
|
5
|
199
|
Steve Matthews
|
Kansas City Chiefs
|
QB
|
|
| 1995
|
4
|
11
|
109
|
Ken Irvin
|
Buffalo Bills
|
DB
|
|
| 1996
|
1
|
28
|
28
|
Jerome Woods
|
Kansas City Chiefs
|
DB
|
Pro Bowl (2003)
|
| 1997
|
5
|
21
|
151
|
Tony Williams
|
Minnesota Vikings
|
DT
|
|
| 6
|
37
|
200
|
Richard Hogans
|
Chicago Bears
|
LB
|
|
| 7
|
32
|
233
|
Marvin Thomas
|
Chicago Bears
|
DE
|
|
| 1999
|
3
|
26
|
87
|
Mike McKenzie
|
Green Bay Packers
|
DB
|
Super Bowl champion (XLIV)
|
| 2001
|
2
|
6
|
37
|
Idrees Bashir
|
Indianapolis Colts
|
DB
|
|
| 2
|
23
|
54
|
Michael Stone
|
Arizona Cardinals
|
DB
|
|
| 4
|
28
|
123
|
Marcus Bell
|
Arizona Cardinals
|
DT
|
|
| 2003
|
3
|
14
|
78
|
Wade Smith
|
Miami Dolphins
|
T
|
Pro Bowl (2012)
|
| 7
|
46
|
260
|
Travis Anglin
|
Detroit Lions
|
WR
|
|
| 2004
|
7
|
11
|
212
|
Eric Taylor
|
Pittsburgh Steelers
|
DT
|
|
| 2006
|
1
|
27
|
27
|
DeAngelo Williams
|
Carolina Panthers
|
RB
|
Pro Bowl (2009), Second-Team All-Pro (2008), 2× NFL Rushing Touchdowns leader (2008, 2015)
|
| 4
|
21
|
118
|
Stephen Gostkowski
|
New England Patriots
|
K
|
4× Pro Bowl (2008, 2013—2015), 2× First-Team All-Pro (2008, 2015), NFL Record 479 Consecutive Extra Points made, 3× Super Bowl champion (XLIX, LI, LIII)
|
| 2007
|
5
|
3
|
140
|
Brandon McDonald
|
Cleveland Browns
|
CB
|
|
| 2009
|
7
|
40
|
249
|
Clinton McDonald
|
Cincinnati Bengals
|
DE
|
Super Bowl champion (XLVIII)
|
| 2012
|
1
|
11
|
11
|
Dontari Poe
|
Kansas City Chiefs
|
DT
|
2× Pro Bowl (2013, 2014), Second-Team All-Pro (2013)
|
| 2014
|
7
|
41
|
256
|
Lonnie Ballentine
|
Houston Texans
|
DB
|
|
| 2015
|
5
|
9
|
145
|
Bobby McCain
|
Miami Dolphins
|
CB
|
|
| 7
|
10
|
227
|
Martin Ifedi
|
St. Louis Rams
|
DE
|
|
| 2016
|
1
|
26
|
26
|
Paxton Lynch
|
Denver Broncos
|
QB
|
|
| 2017
|
5
|
9
|
153
|
Jake Elliott
|
Cincinnati Bengals
|
K
|
Pro Bowl (2021), Super Bowl champion (LII)
|
| 2018
|
2
|
19
|
51
|
Anthony Miller
|
Chicago Bears
|
WR
|
|
| 5
|
13
|
150
|
Genard Avery
|
Cleveland Browns
|
LB
|
|
| 2019
|
3
|
6
|
70
|
Darrell Henderson
|
Los Angeles Rams
|
RB
|
Super Bowl champion (LVI)
|
| 4
|
26
|
128
|
Tony Pollard
|
Dallas Cowboys
|
RB
|
Pro Bowl (2022)
|
| 2020
|
3
|
2
|
66
|
Antonio Gibson
|
Washington Redskins
|
RB
|
|
| 7
|
9
|
223
|
Chris Claybrooks
|
Jacksonville Jaguars
|
DB
|
|
| 7
|
16
|
230
|
Dustin Woodard
|
New England Patriots
|
C
|
|
| 2021
|
5
|
6
|
150
|
Kenneth Gainwell
|
Philadelphia Eagles
|
RB
|
|
| 2022
|
3
|
26
|
90
|
Dylan Parham
|
Las Vegas Raiders
|
OG
|
|
| 4
|
33
|
138
|
Calvin Austin
|
Pittsburgh Steelers
|
WR
|
|
[3]
Undrafted Free Agents
edit
