NEW ORLEANS — Following a banner 2023 season in which it defeated a conference-record four autonomy five programs, hosted ESPN’s College GameDay for a second-straight season and produced a conference-record and FBS-leading 12 Bowl Season participants, the Sun Belt had six alumni selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The conference has produced multiple NFL Draft selections in 21-of-23 drafts since it began sponsoring football in 2001, including this year. Four of the Sun Belt's six highest NFL Draft totals have come over the past five seasons with a conference-record nine selections in 2023, seven draftees in 2020 and six picks in 2022 and 2024.
The Sun Belt has produced six-or-more draft picks on six occasions all-time (2010, 2012, 2020, 2022, 2023 & 2024). The conference’s four-year total of 25 NFL Draft selections from 2021-24 is the second-highest tally in conference history, trailing only the 26 picks from 2020-23.
RASHEEN ALI – RB, MARSHALL
Marshall running back Rasheen Ali was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round with the 165th overall pick. Ali was an All-Sun Belt Second Team honoree in 2023 and is the Thundering Herd’s first draft pick of their Sun Belt era. Marshall’s last draftee—Nazeeh Johnson in 2022—is now a two-time Super Bowl champion (LVII, LVIII) with the Kansas City Chiefs.
JAVON SOLOMON – EDGE, TROY
Troy edge Javon Solomon was taken by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round with the 168th overall pick. Solomon was an All-Sun Belt First Team honoree in 2023, after leading the nation with 16.0 sacks. Following Jake Andrews in 2023, Solomon gave Troy NFL Draft picks in back-to-back seasons for the first time since a six-year span with a selection from 2007-12.
KIMANI VIDAL – RB, TROY
Troy running back Kimani Vidal was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the sixth round with the 181st overall pick. Vidal was the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year, the Hercules Tires Sun Belt Football Championship Game MVP and an All-Sun Belt First Team honoree in 2023. His selection gave Troy multiple NFL Draft picks for the first time since 2010.
MICAH ABRAHAM – CB, MARSHALL
Marshall cornerback Micah Abraham was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round with the 201st overall pick. Abraham was an All-Sun Belt First Team honoree in 2023. His selection gave Marshall multiple NFL Draft picks for the second time over the past five seasons (2020).
TRAVIS GLOVER – OT, GEORGIA STATE
Georgia State offensive tackle Travis Glover was taken by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round with the 202nd overall pick. Glover, an All-Sun Belt First Team honoree in 2023, is the fourth-ever Panther to hear his name called in the NFL Draft and the first since 2017.
NATHAN THOMAS – OT, LOUISIANA
Louisiana offensive tackle Nathan Thomas was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round with the 233rd overall pick. Thomas was an All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention in 2023 and made it five-straight drafts with a Ragin’ Cajuns selection.