Here are Nashville area's NFL Draft first-round picks over the years

George Robinson, Nashville Tennessean

As the 2024 NFL Draft unfolds in the next few days, the Nashville area has produced some talented NFL players. Here's a look at Tennessee high school football players from Middle Tennessee who have been selected in the draft's first round.

Ravenwood offensive lineman Graham Barton, picked No. 26 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, is the first from the Nashville area to be picked in the first round since Derek Barnett of Brentwood Academy in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Here is a look at the Nashville area's first-round picks over the years.

Graham Barton

Drafted: No. 26 pick to Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2024)

High school: Ravenwood

Barton is an interior offensive lineman. He can play at center or guard. He was a three-year starter at Duke. At Ravenwood, he was a dominant offensive lineman.

Duke Blue Devils offensive lineman Graham Barton (62) was the No. 26 overall selection by the Tampa Bay Bucs in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Duke Blue Devils offensive lineman Graham Barton (62) was the No. 26 overall selection by the Tampa Bay Bucs in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Barnett

Drafted: No. 14 pick to Philadelphia Eagles (2017)

High school: Brentwood Academy

Barnett played three years at Tennessee, setting a Vols career record with 33 sacks and played with the Eagles from 2017-2023. He captured Super Bowl LII with Philly when the Eagles beat New England in 2018. Barnett was a two-time Division II-AA Mr. Football winner.

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

More: Meet JC Latham, the Tennessee Titans’ first-round 2024 NFL Draft pick

Jalen Ramsey

Drafted: No. 5 pick to Jacksonville Jaguars (2016)

High school: Brentwood Academy

Ramsey established himself as one of the premier corners in the league as soon as he arrived at Jacksonville. He's a seven-time Pro Bowler and a three-time first-team All Pro who currently plays with Miami Dolphins. He won a Super Bowl with the L.A. Rams in 2022. He played at Florida State and started every game for three seasons in Tallahassee with 23 pass break-ups and three interceptions. He was a five-star recruit coming out of Brentwood Academy.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - MARCH 16: Jalen Ramsey of the Miami Dolphins speaks to the media during a press conference where he was introduced at Baptist Health Training Complex on March 16, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - MARCH 16: Jalen Ramsey of the Miami Dolphins speaks to the media during a press conference where he was introduced at Baptist Health Training Complex on March 16, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Dont'a Hightower

Drafted: No. 25 pick to New England Patriots (2012)

High school: Marshall County

Hightower was a integral part of three Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots in his nine seasons in the league. He was also a member of two BCS national championship teams with Alabama. As a star linebacker at Marshall County, Hightower was named the Class 3A Mr. Football Lineman.

LB Dont'a Hightower, Marshall County High: Here, the standout Hightower poses for the camera Dec. 20, 2007.
LB Dont'a Hightower, Marshall County High: Here, the standout Hightower poses for the camera Dec. 20, 2007.

John Henderson

Drafted: No. 9 pick to Jacksonville Jaguars (2002)

High school: Pearl-Cohn

The 6-foot-8, 285-pound defensive lineman starred at Tennessee and was the 2000 Outland Trophy winner. He played 10 seasons in the NFL with the Jaguars (2002-2009) and Oakland Raiders (2010-11). Prior to that, Henderson was one of the nation's top defensive linemen at Pearl-Cohn. He was named All-American by USA Today, Parade magazine and Blue Chip Illustrated and named Mr. Football 4A Lineman of the Year.

Pearl-Cohn High defensive end John Henderson, front, tries to call Tennessee assistant coach Randy Sanders after signing with the Vols at his high school Feb. 4, 1998. Looking on is his sister, LaTonya, left, and mother, Bridgett, holding his nephew, Tyquez Johnson.
Pearl-Cohn High defensive end John Henderson, front, tries to call Tennessee assistant coach Randy Sanders after signing with the Vols at his high school Feb. 4, 1998. Looking on is his sister, LaTonya, left, and mother, Bridgett, holding his nephew, Tyquez Johnson.

Fernando Bryant

Drafted: No. 26 pick to Jacksonville Jaguars (1999)

High schools: Riverdale

Bryant played 10 seasons in the NFL and won Super Bowl XLIII the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009. He was a two-time All American at Alabama and started 43 straight games for the Crimson Tide. He helped Riverdale capture the TSSAA Class 5A state championship in 1994 with a perfect 15-0 record.

DB Fernando Bryant, Murfreesboro Riverdale High: Here, Bryant stretch out at the start of practice at the school Dec. 7, 1994 for their upcoming TSSAA Class 5A state championship game against Germantown High.
DB Fernando Bryant, Murfreesboro Riverdale High: Here, Bryant stretch out at the start of practice at the school Dec. 7, 1994 for their upcoming TSSAA Class 5A state championship game against Germantown High.

EJ Junior

Drafted: No. 5 pick to St. Louis Cardinals (1981)

High school: Maplewood

Junior played for legendary college coach Bear Bryant and was a consensus All American in 1980. He helped guide the Tide to the 1978 and '79 national championships before being drafted by the Cardinals. He was a two-time Pro Bowler (1984, 1985) and named All Pro in '84. Junior led Maplewood to the 1976 Clinic Bowl, and was voted the greatest high school player of all-time by The Tennessean in a survey of local coaches in 1992.

LB E.J. Junior, Maplewood High: Here, the standout Junior (80) is playing against Hendersonville High Oct. 21, 1976.
LB E.J. Junior, Maplewood High: Here, the standout Junior (80) is playing against Hendersonville High Oct. 21, 1976.

Tom Moore

Drafted: No. 5 pick to Dallas Texans (1960)

High school: Goodlettsville

A former Vanderbilt star, Moore played at Goodlettsville from 1953-55, and led Goodlettsville to a 9-1 record as a senior. : He played both sides of the ball at Vanderbilt and was two-time All-SEC. He was a part of Vince Lombardi's early successful teams in Green Bay, winning NFL championships in 1961, 1962 and 1965.

Bill Wade

Drafted: No. 1 to L.A. Rams (1952)

High schools: MBA

Wade was a post-World War II high school football star and led MBA to the inaugural Clinic Bowl in 1947. He played from 1945-47 at MBA and was a two-time All-City first team by The Tennessean and Nashville Banner. He threw for more than 3,300 yards at Vanderbilt and was the SEC player of the year in 1951. He was a two-time Pro Bowler (1958 and 1963). He played for the Chicago Bears from 1961-1966 and won an NFL title with the Bears in 1963.

Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinsontheleafchronicle.com and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 2024 NFL Draft: Who were selected in first round from Nashville area

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