Everyone Knows the movie Friday Night Lights and the story's origin. Everyone knows of the television series of the same name and its origin. There's no mistaking the level of passion for the sport of football here in the Permian Basin, nor is there any mistaking the dedication, training, and hard work of every coach, trainer, and athlete in our area. That's why it's not all just in the movies or on tv. It plays out any and every given Sunday in the National Football League as the kids from this area who grow up on the energy, passion, disciplines, and lessons taught here advance to the big dance.

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Here are just some of the players who have been drafted to the NFL from the Permian Basin:

Ryan Tannehill

Ryan hails from Big Spring and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the First Round in 2012. Of course, he's behind center these days in Tennessee for the Titans.

Baron Batch

Baron attended Midland High School and the Pittsburgh Steelers picked him up in the 7th round in 2011. He played for the Steelers until being cut in 2013 and retiring from Football. He created and owns Angry Man Salsa.

Marcus Cannon

Marcus called Odessa High School home and in 2011 was drafted in the 6th Round by the New England Patriots. He spent the majority of his career there until coming to the Houston Texans in a trade this year.

Eric Winston

Back in 2006, Eric was drafted in the 3rd Round by the Houston Texans, He attended Lee High School in Midland. He also played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Cedric Benson

Cedric attended Lee High in Midland and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2005 in the 1st Round. Unfortunately, we lost him in a van vs. motorcycle accident in Austin in 2019.

Roy Williams

Roy attended Permian High School in Odessa. He was drafted in the 1st Round by the Detriot Lions. He would also play for the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears as well.

David Leaverton

David went to Midland High School drafted in the 5th Round in 2001 by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Daniel" Bubba" Franks

Bubba was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 1st Round back in 2000. When he was here he attended Big Spring High. He played his entire career with the Green Bay Packers until the final year in 2008--spent with the New York Jets.