The following running backs have been the #1 overall pick in the NFL draft as of 2007: 1936 - Jay Berwanger - Chicago - Philadelphia Eagles
1937 - Sam Francis - Nebraska - Philadelphia Eagles
1938 - Corbett Davis - Indiana - Cleveland Rams
1940 - George Cafego - Tennessee - Chicago Cardinals
1941 - Tom Harmon - Michigan - Chicago Bears
1942 - Bill Dudley - Virginia - Pittsburgh Steelers
1943 - Frank Sinkwich - Georgia - Detroit Lions
1945 - Charley Trippi - Georgia - Chicago Cardinals
1947 - Bob Fenimore - Oklahoma A&M - Chicago Bears
1951 - Kyle Rote - SMU - New York Giants
1957 - Paul Hornung - Notre Dame - Green Bay Packers
1960 - Billy Cannon - LSU - Los Angeles Rams
1961 - Tommy Mason - Tulane - Minnesota Vikings
1962 - Ernie Davis - Syracuse - Washington Redskins
1965 - Tucker Frederickson - Auburn - New York Giants
1969 - O.J. Simpson - USC - Buffalo Bills
1977 - Ricky Bell - USC - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1978 - Earl Campbell - Texas - Houston Oilers
1980 - Billy Sims - Oklahoma - Detroit Lions
1981 - George Rogers - South Carolina - New Orleans Saints
1986 - Bo Jackson - Auburn - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1995 - Ki-Jana Carter - Penn State - Cincinnati Bengals
Two of them were seniors Preston Ridlehuber and Joe Burson. Ridlehuber was an 11th round draft choice of the San Francisco 49ers in the 1966 NFL draft and Burson was an 18th round choice of the Washington Redskins in the same draft. Junior Randy Wheeler was selected in the 13th round by the Buffalo Bills in the 1967 draft.
That has occurred once and both players were from the University of Southern California. In 1968, offensive tackle Ron Yary was selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the first pick of the draft. In 1969, running back O.J. Simpson was selected by the Buffalo Bills as the first pick of the draft.
Running back Lawrence Maroney out of the University of Minnesota.
Carnell Williams
27th in the 1983 NFL Draft.
James Worthy was selected number one overall in the 1982 NBA Draft.
#9 - selected by the Buffalo Bills
Carson Palmer was the #1 overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft.
The lowest MLB draft pick number for a player who made it to the majors is 1,165th overall.
The Houston Rockets who selected Hakeem Olajuwon.
Steve Bartkowski - QB - selected by the Atlanta Falcons
Joe Smith was selected as the first pick of the 1995 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors.