In some ways, the annual NFL draft is like a wedding. There is so much buildup, so many plans that have to be put in motion and some heavy lifting with resources, venues and logistics. Then it’s over in a fraction of the time it took to put it all together.
It was the same way in 2023, and the Big Ten entered the ballroom as one of the main guests. All told, a total of 55 players from the conference were drafted, behind only the SEC, which had 62 players hear their names called in Kansas City.
Michigan led the way this year with nine players drafted. Ohio State and Penn State tied for second with six each. How does that line up historically? Which Big Ten programs have led the way in the total number of players being selected in the NFL draft since 2000?
You can probably formulate a guess, but we’ll confirm it for you. Here is a ranking of Big Ten programs by the most number of players selected in the NFL since the turn of the century starting from the least amount to the so-called draft king of the conference.
14
No. 14 - Indiana Hoosiers
Number of NFL draft selections since 2000
The Narrative
Indiana, oh, Indiana. It’s not just part of the fight song, but a rallying cry for frustrated Hoosier football fans over the years. The NFL draft follows suit.
13
No. 13 - Northwestern Wildcats
Number of NFL draft selections since 2000
29
The Narrative
I mean, at least the Wildcats aren’t last, right?
12
No. 12 - Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Number of NFL draft selections since 2000
37
The Narrative
You know the drill at this point in the countdown. It’s Rutgers.
11
No. 11 - Minnesota Golden Gophers
Number of NFL draft selections since 2000
39
The Narrative
The Golden Gophers have seen a little uptick in NFL draft picks under P.J. Fleck, but there is unlikely to be a big breakthrough in upcoming years.
10
No. 10 - Illinois Fighting Illini
Number of NFL draft selections since 2000
44
The Narrative
Clearly, the Illini program hasn’t done well on the field to send that many players to the NFL, but Bret Bielema is trying to change that.
9
No. 9 - Purdue Boilermakers
Oct. 14, 2017; Madison, Wisconsin; A Purdue Boilermakers helmet during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Number of NFL draft selections since 2000
48
The Narrative
Purdue struggles to send players to the NFL consistently because it struggles to win consistently. We’ll see if the new staff can change that.
8
No. 8 - Maryland Terrapins
Number of NFL draft selections since 2000
49
The Narrative
Maryland has had some very, very good players go to the draft, but often lacks a high volume. It shows in the number being sent to the NFL.
7
No. 7 - Michigan State Spartans
Number of NFL draft selections since 2000
61
The Narrative
Perhaps no program has had such ebbs and flows as Michigan State. There have been years in which the Spartans competed at a high level, but also ones there have been losing records. The draft classes have pretty much shadowed that.
6
No. 6 - Nebraska Cornhuskers
Number of NFL draft selections since 2000
73
The Narrative
Nebraska has struggled to be the force it was on the field ever since Tom Osbourne left, and it has shown with fewer players getting drafted since 2000. Could the program turn it around soon?
5
No. 5 - Iowa Hawkeyes
Number of NFL draft selections since 2000
79
The Narrative
Iowa has had some lean years in the draft but also some very, very good ones. It’s a respectable program that develops and sends solid players to the next level.
4
No. 3 (tie) - Penn State Nittany Lions
Nov. 16, 2013; University Park, Pennsylvania; General view of a Penn State Nittany Lions helmet prior to the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Beaver Stadium. Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Number of NFL draft selections since 2000
90
The Narrative
The talent level at Penn State has been on the rise since James Franklin showed up and it’ll likely be the way things are because of the pedigree and state of the program.
3
No. 3 (tie) - Wisconsin Badgers
Number of NFL draft selections since 2000
90
The Narrative
Wisconsin is known as the program that does more with less. Despite recruiting classes that are rarely among the best in the Big Ten, the Badgers send develop a lot of NFL players.
2
No. 2 - Michigan Wolverines
Number of NFL draft selections since 2000
115
The Narrative
Michigan has been sending more players to the NFL over the last couple of years and seems to have staying power now that Jim Harbaugh has figured things out.
1
No. 1 - Ohio State Buckeyes
Number of NFL draft selections since 2000
163
The Narrative
Ohio State has been the king of the NFL draft in the Big Ten, and that looks like it will continue for the foreseeable future.
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