The 2024 NFL Draft starts on April 25 in Detroit with the 32 first-round picks. In the 88 NFL drafts, teams have chosen 128 prospects who played at Alabama high schools and colleges in the first round, and another 29 who were not first-rounders but were selected in the first 32 picks. AL.com is counting down to the draft by highlighting the players with Alabama football roots who have been chosen in the first 32 picks.
A pair of Alabama All-Americans selected 68 years apart are the only players with football roots in the state who have been chosen 28th in an NFL Draft.
The Brooklyn Dodgers picked center Joe Domnanovich in 1943, and the New Orleans Saints took running back Mark Ingram in 2011.
Domnanovich didn’t make his NFL debut until 1946 with the Boston Yanks. Between the Crimson Tide and the pros, Domnanovich was in the U.S. Army in World War II.
When he returned to football, Domnanovich played six NFL seasons for the franchise – three in Boston and three in New York, with the first in New York as the Bulldogs before switching back to the Yanks.
In addition to his work over the football on offense, Domnanovich played linebacker, too, and intercepted three passes in his career.
In 1943, the 28th pick was the third choice in the fourth round. When Ingram was chosen 28th in 2011, four selections remained in the first round.
Ingram played in 12 NFL seasons, recorded three 1,000-yard seasons and earned Pro Bowl recognition in three seasons – with the Saints in 2014 and 2017 and the Baltimore Ravens in 2019.
The 2009 Heisman Trophy winner completed his NFL career with 8,111 yards and 65 touchdowns on 1,817 rushing attempts and 2,125 yards and 10 touchdowns on 303 receptions in 156 regular-season games.
The Buffalo Bills hold the 28th selection in this year’s draft.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.