DETROIT – LSU’s Malik Nabers became the second wide receiver in school history selected among the Top 10 picks in the NFL Draft when he was taken No. 6 overall by the New York Giants here Thursday night.
Nabers joins Ja’Marr Chase – No. 5 overall in 2022 by Cincinnati – as LSU’s two receivers picked in the Top 10 of the NFL Draft. Nabers also becomes the second LSU receiver picked in the first round by the Giants, joining Odell Beckham Jr., who was picked No. 12 overall in 2014.
Nabers and Jayden Daniels – picked No. 2 overall by Washington – become the first quarterback-receiver duo in program history to be selected in the Top 10 of the same NFL Draft.
Nabers, a unanimous All-America in 2023, capped his historic career at LSU as the school’s all-time leader in receptions (189) and receiving yards (3,003). He joined Josh Reed as the only players in program history with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, tallying 1,017 yards in 2022 followed by 1,569 last year.
Nabers twice led the SEC in receptions – 72 in 2022 and 89 in 2023. As a junior, Nabers led the nation in receiving yards per game (120.7), plays of 20-plus yards (34) and 30-plus yards (17). His 14 TD receptions ranked No. 3 nationally behind teammate Brian Thomas (17) and Jalen Royals of Utah State (15).
Nabers, a unanimous All-America in 2023, set LSU marks for career receptions (189) and receiving yards (3,003) during his three years with the Tigers. In 2023, Nabers led the nation in receiving yards per game (120.7), plays of 20-plus yards (34) and 30-plus yards (17).
In 38 career games at LSU, Nabers caught at least one pass in 37 games.
As a junior, Nabers nine 100-yard receiving games, including a career-best 239 yards and two touchdowns on 12 catches against Mississippi State. He also caught at TD pass in nine games and had two scoring receptions on five occasions.
He teamed with Thomas, who is expected to be drafted later in the first round, as the nation’s top receiving duo as the tandem combined for 157 receptions, 2,746 yards and 31 TDs.
LSU Football – NFL Draft Night Notes
• Jayden Daniels became the fourth quarterback in LSU history selected among the Top 2 picks in the NFL Draft. Daniels, picked No. 2 overall by Washington, joins Joe Burrow (No. 1 in 2020 – Bengals), JaMarcus Russell (No. 1 in 2007 – Raiders) and Bert Jones (No. 2 in 1973 – Colts.)
• LSU has produced 3 Heisman Trophy winners and all 3 have been picked either No. 1 or 2 in the NFL Draft – Burrow and Cannon were No. 1s and Daniels No. 2.
• For the first time in NFL Draft history, a quarterback and wide receiver from the same team have been selected in the top six in the draft. Daniels went No. 2 overall to Washington, while Nabers was selected sixth overall by the New York Giants.
• LSU coach Brian Kelly coached three of the first six players taken in the NFL Draft. Daniels and Nabers at LSU and Joe Alt, the No. 5 overall pick by the Chargers, at Notre Dame.
• With Daniels going No. 2 and Nabers No. 6, LSU has had two players taken in the Top 6 of the NFL Draft for the just the third time in program history. Other times it happened came in 1960 (Billy Cannon No. 1, Johnny Robinson No. 3) and 2007 (JaMarcus Russell No. 1, LaRon Landry No. 5).
• Daniels and Nabers became the 50th and 51st first round NFL Draft picks in LSU history. LSU ranks No. 9 among all college football program in first round draft picks.
• Daniels is the second player in LSU history selected in the first round by Washington. He joins LaRon Landry, who was taken No. 5 overall by Washington in 2007.
• Nabers is the second player in program history selected in the first round by the New York Giants, joining Odell Beckham Jr., who was tabbed with the 12th overall pick in 2014.
• Since LSU won its first SEC Championship Game in 2001, the program has produced 28 first round draft picks. The list includes 7 wide receivers, 7 defensive backs, 5 defensive linemen, 3 quarterbacks, 3 running backs and 3 linebackers.