Top Six Big Ten Teams with the Most NFL Draft Prospects for 2025

Jon "JR" Rhoades August 10, 2024 3 min read

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Big Ten conference is shaping up to be a significant player in the draft landscape. Analyzing draft data from the past three years—2022, 2023, and 2024—provides insights into which Big Ten teams are likely to contribute the most draft prospects. The expansion of the Big Ten to include four additional teams from the Pac-12 has added another layer of complexity to draft projections.

1. Ohio State
Ohio State tops the list with the most NFL draft prospects. The Buckeyes boast three projected first-round picks: Emeka Egbuka (wide receiver), Denzel Burke (cornerback), and Tyleek Williams (defensive tackle). Each of these players is expected to be selected in the 20-30 range of the first round, although their stock could rise with standout performances. Jack Sawyer (defensive end), while currently projected outside the first round, could also make a leap if his recent momentum continues. Additionally, Quinnshon Judkins (running back) is expected to be drafted high, potentially surpassing other top prospects.

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2. Michigan
Michigan is expected to have a strong draft presence with four projected first-round picks: Will Johnson (cornerback), Mason Graham (defensive tackle), Colston Loveland (tight end), and Kenneth Grant (defensive tackle). The Wolverines’ draft stock is bolstered by these high-caliber prospects, though Donovan Edwards (running back) and Rod Moore (safety) could also see their draft positions improve based on their performances.

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3. Penn State
Penn State features two first-round draft prospects: Abdul Carter (edge rusher) and Danai Dennis-Sutton (defensive end). The Nittany Lions also have a total of eight projected draft picks, including other significant prospects like Kevin Winston Jr. (safety), Drew Aller (quarterback), and Nick Singleton (running back). The depth of Penn State’s draft pool makes them a team to watch.

4. Oregon
Despite the hype surrounding Oregon, the Ducks are currently projected to have only one first-round pick—Evan Stewart (wide receiver). The Ducks’ total of eight draft prospects includes other notable players such as Jabbar Muhammad (cornerback), Josh Connerly Jr. (offensive tackle), and Tez Johnson (wide receiver). Oregon’s draft prospects are bolstered by their strong performance on both sides of the line and in the secondary.

5. Iowa
Iowa, known for its NFL-caliber talent, is projected to have seven draft picks this year, though none are expected to be first-rounders. Top prospects include Xavier Nwankpa (safety), Luke Lachey (tight end), and Jay Higgins (linebacker). Iowa’s reputation as an NFL factory remains strong, especially in producing defensive and tight end talent.

6. USC
USC has four predicted draft picks, including Bear Alexander (defensive tackle) and Jonah Monheim (center). Although the Trojans have only a few projected picks, their talent pool could expand as the season progresses. Miller Moss (quarterback) and other defensive playmakers might also emerge as draft-worthy prospects.

In addition to these top six, other Big Ten teams like Maryland, Minnesota, and Wisconsin each have two projected draft picks, while Michigan State, Purdue, UCLA, and Washington have one each. Surprisingly, teams like Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Northwestern, and Rutgers have no current projected draft picks, although this could change as the season progresses.

The expansion of the Big Ten to include Pac-12 teams has impacted draft projections, with the 18-team conference expected to produce 59 draft picks compared to 45 from the 14-team Big Ten. While this number seems modest given the recent draft trends, it is anticipated that more players will emerge as the season unfolds. The evolving landscape of college football and player performance will ultimately shape the final draft picture.