The Nicholls Colonels football team, representing Nicholls State University, has had 16 American football players drafted into the National Football League (NFL). The highest that a Colonel has ever been drafted is the 3rd round/57th overall, which happened in 1987 with the selection of wide receiver Mark Carrier by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The most Colonels selected in a single NFL Draft are two. In the 1987 NFL draft, Carrier was selected by the Buccaneers and quarterback Doug Hudson by the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Washington Redskins have drafted the most Colonels with a total of three. The Chiefs, Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans/Houston Oilers are next, drafting two players each.
Key B Back K Kicker NT Nose tackle C Center LB Linebacker FB Fullback DB Defensive back P Punter HB Halfback DE Defensive end QB Quarterback WR Wide receiver DT Defensive tackle RB Running back G Guard E End T Offensive tackle TE Tight end
Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame
Selections
YearRoundPickOverallPlayerTeamPositionNotes 1976 3 14 74 Kansas City Chiefs DB — 1977 7 15 182 Chicago Bears WR — 1982 4 4 87 Cleveland Browns WR — 1984 3 2 58 Houston Oilers LB —1985 4 13 97 Cincinnati Bengals DB — 7 17 187 Washington Redskins RB — 1986 5 9 119 Detroit Lions RB —1987 3 1 57 Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR — 6 18 186 Kansas City Chiefs QB — 1989 5 5 117 Tampa Bay Buccaneers FB — 1990 10 16 264 Houston Oilers DB — 1995 3 4 68 Washington Redskins DB — 2004 5 18 110 Jacksonville Jaguars DB — 2007 6 3 177 New York Jets T — 2008 6 14 180 Washington Redskins DB — 2009 3 24 88 Baltimore Ravens DB —
Notable undrafted players Note: No drafts held before 1920 Debut year Player name Position Debut NFL/AFL team Notes 1978 LB New Orleans Saints 1984 C Washington Redskins 1985 DT New Orleans Saints 1989 LB New England Patriots 2010 WR Chicago Bears 2012 CB Minnesota Vikings 2022 WR New Orleans Saints
References