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While most colleges and universities field a football team as part of its general athletics program, there are some for which football is more than merely a sport—it's akin almost to a religion. Devotion to the team and its colors is as important to that school's culture as a religious icon is to a believer. These programs actively scout and recruit notable high school players, and are in turn rigorously applied to by matriculating seniors eager to make a name for themselves at the collegiate level.

Among the college football empires are Notre Dame, the universities of Alabama, Michigan, Texas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, Penn State, Ohio State—.

But for every touchstone football school, there is an outlier that has produced some of the most successful and cherished players in the game. Think Jackson State, which gave us , Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton. Or Mississippi Valley State, which yielded 3-time Super Bowl champion and #1 Player in NFL History, as voted by the NFL Network, Jerry Rice.

Each year, the college draft serves as a source of renewal to professional football and a testament to the quality of college programs nationwide. With the 2022 NFL draft set to take place April 28-30 in Las Vegas, compiled a list of the highest NFL draft picks from the James Madison Dukes using data from . Ties were broken by the most recent year drafted.

#9. Ben DiNucci (QB)
- Draft pick: Round 7, #231 overall in 2020
- Drafted by: Dallas Cowboys
- Years as a starter in NFL: 0

#8. Jimmy Moreland (CB)
- Draft pick: Round 7, #227 overall in 2019
- Drafted by: Washington Football Team
- Years as a starter in NFL: 0

#7. Arthur Moats (LB)
- Draft pick: Round 6, #178 overall in 2010
- Drafted by: Buffalo Bills
- Years as a starter in NFL: 3 (0 Pro Bowls)

#6. Ed Perry (TE)
- Draft pick: Round 6, #177 overall in 1997
- Drafted by: Miami Dolphins
- Years as a starter in NFL: 0

#5. Warren Marshall (RB)
- Draft pick: Round 6, #167 overall in 1987
- Drafted by: Denver Broncos
- Years as a starter in NFL: 0

#4. Macey Brooks (WR)
- Draft pick: Round 4, #127 overall in 1997
- Drafted by: Dallas Cowboys
- Years as a starter in NFL: 0

#3. Earl Watford (G)
- Draft pick: Round 4, #116 overall in 2013
- Drafted by: Arizona Cardinals
- Years as a starter in NFL: 1 (0 Pro Bowls)

#2. Curtis Keaton (RB)
- Draft pick: Round 4, #97 overall in 2000
- Drafted by: Cincinnati Bengals
- Years as a starter in NFL: 0

#1. Charles Haley (DE)
- Draft pick: Round 4, #96 overall in 1986
- Drafted by: San Francisco 49ers
- Years as a starter in NFL: 8 (5 Pro Bowls)

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