Big Ten programs ranked by NFL draft picks since 1980 — first-rounders, Pro Bowl alumni, and recent draft classes.
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College Football
NFL Draft History by college program
Big Ten programs ranked by NFL draft picks since 1980 — first-rounders, Pro Bowl alumni, and recent draft classes.
- Draft picks
- 12,927
- Colleges
- 446
- First-rounders
- 1,427
- Hall of Famers
- 102
- Pro Bowlers
- 1,326
- Drafts covered
- 47
Showing TE Day 2 picks out of the Big Ten · reset
Schools that produce the most NFL draft picks
Ranked by total picks within the current filters. Open a program for its full draft board.
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1
Ohio State
Big Ten
8picks
Ohio State team hub
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2
Iowa
Big Ten
6picks
Iowa team hub
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3
USC
Big Ten
6picks
USC team hub
| # | School | Picks | Rd 1 | Pro Bowlers | HOF | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 |
Michigan
Big Ten · last pick 2026
|
5 | 0 | 00% | 0 | 2 |
| 5 |
Penn State
Big Ten · last pick 2023
|
5 | 0 | 00% | 0 | 3 |
| 6 |
Washington
Big Ten · last pick 2019
|
5 | 0 | 00% | 0 | 1 |
| 7 |
UCLA
Big Ten · last pick 2022
|
4 | 0 | 00% | 0 | 2 |
| 8 |
Rutgers
Big Ten · last pick 2015
|
3 | 0 | 00% | 0 | 0 |
| 9 |
Wisconsin
Big Ten · last pick 2011
|
3 | 0 | 00% | 0 | 0 |
| 10 |
Maryland
Big Ten · last pick 1988
|
2 | 0 | 150% | 0 | 0 |
| 11 |
Michigan State
Big Ten · last pick 2002
|
2 | 0 | 00% | 0 | 0 |
| 12 |
Minnesota
Big Ten · last pick 2015
|
2 | 0 | 00% | 0 | 0 |
| 13 |
Oregon
Big Ten · last pick 2025
|
2 | 0 | 00% | 0 | 1 |
| 14 |
Nebraska
Big Ten · last pick 1983
|
1 | 0 | 00% | 0 | 0 |
| 15 |
Purdue
Big Ten · last pick 1981
|
1 | 0 | 00% | 0 | 0 |
Draft pick explorer
Showing 1–50 of 55 picks · filtered.
| Pick | Player | College | Pos | NFL team | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 |
Marlin Klein
Cologne
|
Michigan
Big Ten
|
TE | HOU Houston Texans | Awaiting debut |
| 2026 |
Max Klare
Guilford, IN
|
Ohio State
Big Ten
|
TE | LAR Los Angeles Rams | Awaiting debut |
| 2026 |
Will Kacmarek
Saint Louis, MO
|
Ohio State
Big Ten
|
TE | MIA Miami Dolphins | Awaiting debut |
| 2025 |
Terrance Ferguson
Littleton, CO
|
Oregon
Big Ten
|
TE | LAR Los Angeles Rams | 14 games 2 career AV |
| 2023 |
Sam LaPorta
1× Pro Bowl
|
Iowa
Big Ten
|
TE | DET Detroit Lions | 42 games · 3 yrs as starter 21 career AV |
| 2023 |
Luke Schoonmaker
Hamden, CT
|
Michigan
Big Ten
|
TE | DAL Dallas Cowboys | 51 games 4 career AV |
| 2023 |
Brenton Strange
Parkersburg, WV
|
Penn State
Big Ten
|
TE | JAX Jacksonville Jaguars | 43 games · 2 yrs as starter 8 career AV |
| 2022 |
Greg Dulcich
Glendale, CA
|
UCLA
Big Ten
|
TE | DEN Denver Broncos | 31 games 6 career AV |
| 2022 |
Jeremy Ruckert
Lindenhurst, NY
|
Ohio State
Big Ten
|
TE | NYJ New York Jets | 58 games · 2 yrs as starter 4 career AV |
| 2021 |
Pat Freiermuth
Merrimac, MA
|
Penn State
Big Ten
|
TE | PIT Pittsburgh Steelers | 78 games · 2 yrs as starter 22 career AV |
| 2020 |
Devin Asiasi
Shoreview, CA
|
UCLA
Big Ten
|
TE | NE New England Patriots | 22 games |
| 2019 |
Drew Sample
Bellevue, WA
|
Washington
Big Ten
|
TE | CIN Cincinnati Bengals | 95 games · 4 yrs as starter 7 career AV |
| 2018 |
Mike Gesicki
Manahawkin, NJ
|
Penn State
Big Ten
|
TE | MIA Miami Dolphins | 128 games · 2 yrs as starter 28 career AV |
| 2016 |
Nick Vannett
Westerville, OH
|
Ohio State
Big Ten
|
TE | SEA Seattle Seahawks | 121 games · 3 yrs as starter 7 career AV |
| 2015 |
Maxx Williams
Waconia, MN
|
Minnesota
Big Ten
|
TE | BAL Baltimore Ravens | 83 games · 2 yrs as starter 8 career AV |
| 2015 |
Tyler Kroft
Downingtown, PA
|
Rutgers
Big Ten
|
TE | CIN Cincinnati Bengals | 100 games · 2 yrs as starter 9 career AV |
| 2015 |
Jeff Heuerman
Naples, FL
|
Ohio State
Big Ten
|
TE | DEN Denver Broncos | 51 games · 3 yrs as starter 5 career AV |
| 2014 |
Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Fox Island, WA
|
Washington
Big Ten
|
TE | TB Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 43 games · 2 yrs as starter 9 career AV |
| 2014 |
C.J. Fiedorowicz
Johnsburg, IL
|
Iowa
Big Ten
|
TE | HOU Houston Texans | 51 games · 2 yrs as starter 6 career AV |
| 2011 |
Lance Kendricks
Milwaukee, WI
|
Wisconsin
Big Ten
|
TE | LAR St. Louis Rams | 137 games · 6 yrs as starter 16 career AV |
| 2010 |
Ed Dickson
Bellflower, CA
|
Oregon
Big Ten
|
TE | BAL Baltimore Ravens | 134 games · 7 yrs as starter 16 career AV |
| 2010 |
Tony Moeaki
Wheaton, IL
|
Iowa
Big Ten
|
TE | KC Kansas City Chiefs | 49 games · 2 yrs as starter 10 career AV |
| 2009 |
Travis Beckum
|
Wisconsin
Big Ten
|
TE | NYG New York Giants | 48 games 2 career AV |
| 2008 |
Fred Davis
|
USC
Big Ten
|
TE | WAS Washington Commanders | 72 games · 3 yrs as starter 14 career AV |
| 2007 |
Matt Spaeth
|
Minnesota
Big Ten
|
TE | PIT Pittsburgh Steelers | 123 games · 6 yrs as starter 2 career AV |
| 2006 |
Dominique Byrd
|
USC
Big Ten
|
TE | LAR St. Louis Rams | 17 games |
| 2004 |
Ben Hartsock
|
Ohio State
Big Ten
|
TE | IND Indianapolis Colts | 131 games · 2 yrs as starter 2 career AV |
| 2003 | Bennie Joppru |
Michigan
Big Ten
|
TE | HOU Houston Texans | 19 games |
| 2003 | L.J. Smith |
Rutgers
Big Ten
|
TE | PHI Philadelphia Eagles | 98 games · 4 yrs as starter 21 career AV |
| 2003 | Mike Seidman |
UCLA
Big Ten
|
TE | CAR Carolina Panthers | 43 games 1 career AV |
| 2002 | Chris Baker |
Michigan State
Big Ten
|
TE | NYJ New York Jets | 131 games · 5 yrs as starter 13 career AV |
| 1998 | Cam Cleeland |
Washington
Big Ten
|
TE | NO New Orleans Saints | 89 games · 5 yrs as starter 9 career AV |
| 1997 | John Allred |
USC
Big Ten
|
TE | CHI Chicago Bears | 53 games 3 career AV |
| 1996 | Marco Battaglia |
Rutgers
Big Ten
|
TE | CIN Cincinnati Bengals | 96 games · 1 yrs as starter 6 career AV |
| 1996 | Ernie Conwell |
Washington
Big Ten
|
TE | LAR St. Louis Rams | 125 games · 7 yrs as starter 17 career AV |
| 1996 | Johnny McWilliams |
USC
Big Ten
|
TE | ARI Arizona Cardinals | 74 games · 1 yrs as starter 6 career AV |
| 1996 | Scott Slutzker |
Iowa
Big Ten
|
TE | IND Indianapolis Colts | 41 games 1 career AV |
| 1993 | Tony McGee |
Michigan
Big Ten
|
TE | CIN Cincinnati Bengals | 156 games · 10 yrs as starter 28 career AV |
| 1993 | Troy Drayton |
Penn State
Big Ten
|
TE | LAR Los Angeles Rams | 122 games · 6 yrs as starter 21 career AV |
| 1992 | Aaron Pierce |
Washington
Big Ten
|
TE | NYG New York Giants | 82 games · 3 yrs as starter 8 career AV |
| 1989 | Marv Cook 1× All-Pro 2× Pro Bowl |
Iowa
Big Ten
|
TE | NE New England Patriots | 112 games · 6 yrs as starter 13 career AV |
| 1988 | Alex Higdon |
Ohio State
Big Ten
|
TE | ATL Atlanta Falcons | 3 games |
| 1988 | Ferrell Edmunds 2× Pro Bowl |
Maryland
Big Ten
|
TE | MIA Miami Dolphins | 89 games · 4 yrs as starter 15 career AV |
| 1985 | Jonathan Hayes |
Iowa
Big Ten
|
TE | KC Kansas City Chiefs | 184 games · 6 yrs as starter 15 career AV |
| 1984 | John Frank |
Ohio State
Big Ten
|
TE | SF San Francisco 49ers | 66 games 8 career AV |
| 1984 | Fred Cornwell |
USC
Big Ten
|
TE | DAL Dallas Cowboys | 30 games 1 career AV |
| 1983 | Jamie Williams |
Nebraska
Big Ten
|
TE | NYG New York Giants | 160 games · 5 yrs as starter 16 career AV |
| 1983 | John Tice |
Maryland
Big Ten
|
TE | NO New Orleans Saints | 134 games · 4 yrs as starter 12 career AV |
| 1982 | Tim Wrightman |
UCLA
Big Ten
|
TE | CHI Chicago Bears | 32 games 7 career AV |
| 1982 | Vyto Kab |
Penn State
Big Ten
|
TE | PHI Philadelphia Eagles | 58 games · 1 yrs as starter 4 career AV |
Browse by draft class
Every year from 1980 to 2026 — school counts, conference splits, and the full first round.
NFL draft history guide
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
What this page tracks
NFL Draft History by College ranks every program by the NFL players it has produced since 1980. Browse 12,927 picks across 446 schools — first-rounders, Pro Bowl alumni, Hall of Famers, and recent draft classes — then open any school or year for the full board.
By the numbers
- 12,927 drafted players from 446 colleges, 1980–2026.
- 1,427 first-round selections across 47 drafts.
- 1,326 of those picks made at least one Pro Bowl; 102 reached the Hall of Fame.
- Most picks all-time: Ohio State — 8
- Most picks since 2017: Alabama — 95
- Top conference: SEC — 2,760 picks
- Most-drafted first-round position: DB — 181 picks
How to read the board
- Start with the school leaderboard — sort by total picks, first-rounders, Pro Bowls, or the last ten drafts.
- Use the round, conference, and position chips to isolate a pipeline, like SEC defensive backs in Round 1.
- Open a program for its full draft board, or a year for the complete class in pick order.
First round vs. career outcomes
Volume and quality are different signals. A program can lead in raw picks while another turns fewer selections into more Pro Bowlers. The Pro Bowler rate next to each school shows how often its picks became long-term NFL contributors, so read it alongside the Round 1 column rather than instead of it.
Frequently asked questions
Which college has produced the most NFL draft picks?
Ohio State leads FantasyHQ’s archive with 8 NFL draft picks since 1980. Compare every program at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history.
How far back does FantasyHQ’s NFL draft history go?
The archive covers every NFL draft from 1980 through 2026 — 12,927 picks across 446 college programs. Open a school page or a draft class year for the full pick list.
Can I see first-round NFL draft picks by college?
Yes. Filter the board to Round 1, or sort schools by first-rounders. FantasyHQ lists 1,427 first-round selections since 1980. Start at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history.
Does the page show NFL career outcomes for drafted players?
Where available, each pick includes Pro Bowls, All-Pro selections, Hall of Fame status, games played, and Approximate Value. The archive currently tracks 1,326 Pro Bowl alumni and 102 Hall of Famers.
How is this different from a fantasy football mock draft?
This page is the real NFL draft pipeline — college programs to NFL clubs — not a fantasy league draft board. For fantasy mock drafts and rankings, use FantasyHQ’s fantasy tools. Draft history lives at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history.
How often is the draft history page updated?
New draft classes land when the board is published each spring. Career outcomes refresh as seasons complete. This page was last labeled Aug 24, 2026.