In next week's NFL Draft, 100 players will be chosen in the first three rounds. NFL teams will select another 156 players in the closing four rounds on April 28.
What kind of players can be found when the draft hits triple digits? Some good ones, as illustrated by the players from Alabama high schools and colleges who didn't let being drafted late prevent them from having productive pro careers.
NFL DRAFT: THE ALL-STATE FIRST ROUND
Here are 28 of the players with Alabama football roots drafted after the 100th pick who made an impact in the NFL:
Brad Baxter: 303rd selection in 1989 NFL Draft
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Brad Baxter: 303rd selection in 1989 NFL Draft
Of the 10 players picked immediately in front of Baxter in the 11th round of the 1989 Draft, only one of them played in the NFL. From Slocomb High and Alabama State, Baxter was the New York Jets' fullback for six seasons. He ran for 2,928 yards and 35 touchdowns.
Mike Kolen: 289th in 1970
Mike Kolen: 289th in 1970
The Miami Dolphins drafted 11 players in 1970 before they got around to picking "Captain Crunch." From Berry High and Auburn, Kolen was the right outside linebacker for two Super Bowl-winning teams. A knee injury caused Kolen to retire after seven NFL seasons.
Howard Ballard: 283rd in 1987
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Howard Ballard: 283rd in 1987
From Clay County and Alabama A&M, Ballard spent 10 seasons as the Buffalo Bills' left offensive tackle after being an 11th-round draft choice. He started in four Super Bowls, including in two seasons in which he also was a Pro Bowl selection.
Mark McMillian: 272nd in 1992
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Mark McMillian: 272nd in 1992
Despite being a 10th-round draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles and standing 5-foot-7, the cornerback from Alabama had an eight-year NFL career. He intercepted 23 passes and led the NFL in interception-return yards with 274 for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1997, when he ran three of his eight picks back for touchdowns. Only three Alabama alumni have more NFL interceptions than McMillian's 23.
Jay Ratliff: 224th in 2005
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Jay Ratliff: 224th in 2005
The first player picked by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2005 NFL Draft was Troy outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware with the 11th selection. More than 200 picks later, the Cowboys added Auburn defensive end Jay Ratliff with their final 2005 selection. Ware lived up to his draft status by earning nine Pro Bowl selections, but Ratliff was an All-Star, too. After moving to nose tackle, Ratliff ran off four Pro Bowl seasons in a row and earned All-Pro recognition in 2009.
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