NEW YORK — Starting with quarterback Sam Bradford going to the St. Louis Rams, the first NFL draft in prime time was a showcase for the Big 12.

The Oklahoma junior became the eighth quarterback since 2001 taken atop the draft. He was immediately followed Thursday night by defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska, the AP Player of the Year, and DT Gerald McCoy, Bradford’s teammate with the Sooners.

The 2008 winner of the Heisman Trophy from Oklahoma is the eighth quarterback since 2001 taken atop the draft. St. Louis was 1-15 last season and scored a league-low 175 points. The Rams cut incumbent Marc Bulger in the offseason.

Bradford appeared in only three games in 2009, his junior year, before undergoing right shoulder surgery. His recovery has been so complete that the Rams didn’t hesitate to make him the future face of the franchise.

Nebraska defensive tackle Suh went to the Detroit Lions with the second pick and was greeted by “SUH, SUH,” as he walked onto the stage holding a Lions jersey.