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.

All-star running backs have been the yield three out of the four times that NFL teams have picked a prospect who played at an Alabama high school or college at No. 24 in the draft.

Auburn’s James Brooks in 1981 and Alabama’s Josh Jacobs in 2019 and Najee Harris in 2021 have had three 1,000-yard rushing seasons apiece in their NFL careers.

Brooks began his career with the San Diego Chargers and led the NFL in all-purpose yards in his first two seasons.

With Brooks stuck behind Chuck Muncie for playing time at running back, the Chargers traded him to the Cincinnati Bengals on May 29, 1984, for running back Pete Johnson. Johnson played in three games for San Diego. Over the next eight seasons with the Bengals, Brooks averaged 4.8 yards per carry on his way to 6,447 rushing yards, added 3,012 receiving yards, scored 64 touchdowns, earned Pro Bowl recognition four times and played in Super Bowl XXIII.

Jacobs ran for 5,545 yards and 46 touchdowns and added 1,448 receiving yards in his five seasons with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders. This offseason, he signed as a free agent with the Green Bay Packers.

Jacobs led the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards and 2,053 yards from scrimmage as he earned first-team All-Pro recognition for the 2022 season. He also was Pro Bowler in 2020.

Harris has produced three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers. A Pro Bowl selection as a rookie, when he led the NFL in touches with 307 rushing attempts and 74 receptions, Harris is the 18th player in NFL history to run for 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons.

The other No. 24 pick with Alabama football roots was Butch Wilson, who was the 10th selection of the second round in the 1963 NFL Draft after starring at Hueytown High School and Alabama. Wilson also was chosen in the AFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders at No. 41.

Wilson played halfback and defensive back at Alabama, but he transitioned to tight end with the Baltimore Colts. The Colts drafted Syracuse tight end John Mackey five spots before they picked Wilson. During Wilson’s five seasons with Baltimore, Mackey was a Pro Bowler four times and first-team All-Pro twice.

Wilson still did a great service for the Colts. Just before the 1968 season, Baltimore traded him and a draft choice to the New York Giants for Earl Morrall when Johnny Unitas got hurt in the Colts’ final preseason game, and the new QB won the 1968 NFL Most Valuable Player Award.

The Dallas Cowboys hold the 24th 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.