Tyler Booker’s 17th consecutive first-round selection makes history for the Alabama Crimson Tide, continuing their NFL Draft legacy.

When Tyler Booker’s name was called as the 12th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, a wave of history washed over not just him and his family, but the entire University of Alabama football program. Booker, a dominant offensive lineman for the Crimson Tide, became the latest in a long line of Alabama stars to hear their name announced on opening night of the NFL Draft. More importantly, his selection extended Alabama’s jaw-dropping streak of having at least one first-round pick to 17 consecutive years, breaking the previous NCAA record and solidifying the Tide’s position as the undisputed pipeline to NFL greatness.

This moment is about more than just one player or even one program. It’s a testament to a culture of excellence, a recruiting machine, and a standard set and maintained at the highest levels of college football. Let’s dive deep into how Tyler Booker’s rise and Alabama’s consistency have created a historic legacy that may never be matched.

At 6-foot-5 and 321 pounds, Tyler Booker is built for Sundays. But raw size alone doesn’t make a first-round pick. Over the course of his Alabama career, Booker honed not only his physical skills but also the mental and emotional tools that make a true pro.

In his final season at Alabama, Booker was a second-team All-American selection by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and was named one of the top offensive linemen in the country. Over 12 starts, he tallied 93 knockdown blocks and didn’t allow a single sack in 176 pass-blocking reps—an elite stat that caught the eye of NFL scouts nationwide. Booker’s technique, power, and football IQ put him at the top of draft boards.

More than just a technician, Booker brought a tenacity and leadership to Alabama’s line that reminded many of past Crimson Tide greats like Evan Neal, Jedrick Wills Jr., and Cam Robinson. By the time the Dallas Cowboys made their pick, it wasn’t a question of “if” Booker would go in the first round, but “when.”

Booker’s selection didn’t just cap off his own collegiate journey—it made history for his school. With his name added to the ledger, Alabama now holds the record for the longest consecutive streak of first-round NFL Draft picks: 17 years.

Previously, this honor belonged to the University of Miami, which had at least one first-round pick from 1995 to 2008. Alabama has now eclipsed that mark, and done so during an era when competition at the top of college football has never been more fierce.

Here’s just a taste of Alabama’s stunning first-round legacy during this span:

• Julio Jones (2011) – One of the most dominant receivers in NFL history.
• Amari Cooper (2015) – A multiple-time Pro Bowler and perennial 1,000-yard receiver.
• Tua Tagovailoa (2020) – A franchise quarterback and Pro Bowl starter.
• Patrick Surtain II (2021) – Regarded as one of the NFL’s best young corners.
• Will Anderson Jr. (2023) – A defensive terror and Rookie of the Year candidate.
• Bryce Young (2023) – The #1 overall pick, viewed as a franchise savior.

And now, Tyler Booker (2025) joins this elite company.

This level of production is virtually unheard of. While many schools can boast NFL talent, no other program has matched the consistent excellence, year after year, like Alabama has. Whether it’s linemen, wide receivers, corners, or quarterbacks—Nick Saban (and now Kalen DeBoer) have built a true NFL farm system.

What makes Alabama different? It’s not just recruiting—though the Tide routinely land top-5 classes. It’s about development, coaching, and an unforgiving standard of greatness.

Under Nick Saban, Alabama players were drilled not just in scheme but in mindset. “The Process,” as Saban called it, demanded constant improvement and mental toughness. That mindset filtered down through every staff member, from strength coaches to position coaches, building a program where only the best thrived—and often, they thrived into the first round.

Even after Saban’s retirement, the culture remains. New head coach Kalen DeBoer inherited a roster loaded with talent and a blueprint that didn’t need rewriting. Booker’s selection proves the continuity of Alabama’s system: it wasn’t a one-man show, but an institutional commitment to football excellence.

One reason NFL general managers and scouts flock to Tuscaloosa’s pro days is the track record of success. Alabama players are not only physically ready—they’re mentally prepared for the speed, complexity, and brutality of the professional game.

Most Alabama players enter the league having already faced top-tier talent weekly. In practice, they compete against future NFL stars. In games, they play under the lights of the SEC and College Football Playoff. And in preparation, they live in a structure that mirrors the pros.

That’s why names like Josh Jacobs, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jonathan Allen, and Quinnen Williams are thriving in the NFL. And that’s why Tyler Booker is expected to slide seamlessly into the Dallas Cowboys’ starting lineup.

Booker wasn’t just a great pick because of his Alabama pedigree—he fills a direct need for Dallas. With the retirement of future Hall of Fame guard Zack Martin, the Cowboys had a gaping hole in their offensive line. Booker offers size, footwork, and a high football IQ that can anchor their interior for years to come.

VP of Player Personnel Will McClay compared Booker’s mindset to Martin’s, calling him a “plug-and-play” lineman who could start Day 1. And Booker himself embraced the challenge, saying he was ready to “earn everything” and “bring that Bama toughness to the NFL.”

Micah Parsons, the Cowboys’ defensive leader, even had a viral moment reacting to the pick with surprise—but later clarified he was “hyped” about the addition of a future enforcer in the trenches.

Alabama’s draft streak sends a message loud and clear: if you want to go pro, come to Tuscaloosa.

This reputation doesn’t just boost Alabama’s image—it affects recruiting across the nation. High school stars weigh not just championships but pro prospects. Seeing 17 years of first-round picks turns Alabama into more than just a school—it’s a factory of future NFL millionaires.

Other programs, like Georgia, Ohio State, and LSU, have made major strides in developing talent. But no one has sustained success like the Tide. Even as head coaches change and conference dynamics shift, Alabama remains a launchpad for NFL dreams.

With rising stars already making waves—linebacker Jihaad Campbell, safety Caleb Downs, and edge rusher Damon Payne Jr.—Alabama looks poised to push the streak to 18 and beyond.

Kalen DeBoer’s biggest challenge isn’t starting something new—it’s keeping the streak alive. So far, he’s doing just that. The 2025 class is already loaded with talent, and development remains the top priority. Booker’s selection under DeBoer’s regime proves that the infrastructure Saban built is still running at full speed.

When Tyler Booker hugged Roger Goodell and walked across the stage on draft night, it was more than a personal triumph. It was a moment 17 years in the making—a nod to the greats before him and a beacon for those who will follow.

His selection not only affirms his talent but strengthens the legend of Alabama football. The Crimson Tide have officially built the most consistent NFL pipeline in college football history.

And they’re not done yet.