2021 NFL Draft: Trevor Lawrence one of six former Georgia high school players in first round

Peach State closes in on California for third most first-round picks since 2000, behind only Florida and Texas.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Mitch Stephens
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Apr 30, 2021, 6:00am
For more than a decade, Georgia's reputation as a high school football hot bed has been gaining on the big three of Florida, Texas and California. On Thursday night, the Peach State surpassed all three during the first night of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Six former Georgia prep standouts, including No. 1 overall selection, Trevor Lawrence, of Cartersville, were picked in the first round to lead all states.

Florida, which didn't have a selection until ninth pick in Patrick Surtain II, of American Heritage (Plantation), had the second most represented with five selections, followed by California, Texas and Louisiana, which each had three.

Utah had two of the first seven picks, headlined by No. 2 overall selection Zach Wilson, of Corner Canyon (Draper). Pennsylvania was the only other state with multiple picks.

Since the turn of the century, Georgia boasts 48 first-round picks and is right on the heels of California (49) for third place behind only Florida (81) and Texas (61).

Rhode Island, thanks to the Colts' No. 21 selection of defensive end Kwity Paye, of Bishop Hendricken (Warwick), was represented in the first round for the first time since at least 2000.

2021 NFL Draft First Round 

No. Player, Position, High School, Picked By

1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Cartersville (Ga.), Jaguars
2. Zach Wilson, QB, Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah), Jets
3. Trey Lance, QB, Marshall (Minn.), 49ers
4. Kyle Pitts, TE, Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.), Falcons
5. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Archbishop Rummel (Metairie, La.), Bengals
6. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Episcopal (Bellaire, Texas), Dolphins
7. Penei Sewell, OT, Desert Hills (St. George, Utah), Lions
8. Jaycee Horn, CB, Alpharetta (Ga.), Panthers
9. Patrick Surtain II, CB, American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.), Broncos
10. Devonta Smith, WR, Amite (La.), Eagles
11. Justin Fields, QB, Harrison (Kennesaw, Ga.), Bears
12. Micah Parsons, LB, Harrisburg (Pa.), Cowboys
13. Rashawn Slater, OT, Fort Bend Clements (Sugar Land, Texas), Chargers
14. Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.), Jets
15. Mac Jones, QB, Bolles (Jacksonville, Fla.), Patriots
16. Zaven Collins, LB, Hominy (Okla.), Cardinals
17. Alex Leatherwood, OT, Booker T. Washington (Pensacola, Fla.), Raiders
18. Jaelan Phillips, DE, Redlands East Valley (Redlands, Calif.), Dolphins
19. Jamin Davis, LB, Long County (Ludowici, Ga.), Washington Football Team
20. Kadarius Toney, WR, Blount (Eight Mile, Ala.), Giants
21. Kwity Paye, DE, Bishop Hendricken (Warwick, R.I.), Colts
22. Caleb Farley, CB, Maiden (N.C.), Titans
23. Christian Darrisaw, OT, Riverdale Baptist (Upper Marlboro, Md.), Vikings
24. Najee Harris, RB, Antioch (Calif.), Steelers
25. Travis Etienne, RB, Jennings (La.), Jaguars
26. Greg Newsome II, CB, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), Browns
27. Rashod Bateman, WR, Tift County (Tifton, Ga.), Ravens
28. Payton Turner, DE, Westside (Houston, Texas), Saints
29. Eric Stokes, CB, Eastside (Covington, Ga.), Packers
30. Gregory Rousseau, DE, Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah, Fla.), Bills
31. Jayson Oweh, DE, Blair Academy (Blairstown, N.J.), Ravens
32. Joe Tryon, DE, Hazen (Renton, Wash.), Buccaneers

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