Toledo Rockets End 31-Year NFL Draft Drought

Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell selected 22nd overall by Eagles in 2024

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:35pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the Toledo Rockets' team colors, conceptually representing the school's breakthrough into the NFL Draft's first round.The Toledo Rockets' long-awaited return to the NFL Draft's first round signals a new era of football success for the program.Cincinnati Today

The Toledo Rockets football program went over three decades without producing a first-round NFL Draft pick until cornerback Quinyon Mitchell was selected 22nd overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024, ending the school's lengthy drought.

Why it matters

The Toledo Rockets have historically struggled to produce top NFL talent, so Mitchell's first-round selection represents a significant milestone for the program and its ability to develop elite-level players capable of being chosen early in the draft.

The details

Prior to Mitchell's selection, the Toledo Rockets had not had a player chosen in the first round of the NFL Draft since 1995. The 31-year gap between first-round picks is an unusually long drought for a Division I FBS program, highlighting the challenges the school has faced in elevating its football profile and sending players to the professional ranks.

  • Quinyon Mitchell was selected 22nd overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2024 NFL Draft.
  • The last time Toledo had a first-round draft pick was in 1995.

The players

Quinyon Mitchell

A cornerback who was selected 22nd overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2024 NFL Draft, ending Toledo's 31-year drought of not having a first-round pick.

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What they’re saying

“Quinyon's selection is a testament to the hard work he put in and the development of our program. We're proud to see him get this opportunity with the Eagles.”

— Jason Candle, Head Coach, Toledo Rockets

The takeaway

Mitchell's first-round selection represents a significant milestone for the Toledo Rockets football program, which has struggled to produce top NFL talent in recent decades. The school will look to build on this success and continue developing players capable of being chosen early in the draft.