How the Big Ten Shattered Expectations and Rewrote NFL Draft History in 2025

Think about this: can a college sports conference grow so big it starts resembling a corporate empire—just with helmets and cleats? The Big Ten’s recent 2025 NFL Draft haul might have answered that question. With a jaw-dropping 11 first-round picks, the conference shattered its own record, proving that expanding its roster of powerhouses isn’t just about geography—it’s about stacking up elite talent, Night One style. Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and the freshly minted Oregon Ducks led the charge, but some fans aren’t fully convinced—it feels less like organic growth and more like a flashy business merger. Still, whether you see it as a sports renaissance or a takeover, the Big Ten’s dominance in this draft has got everyone talking. So, what does this mean for college football’s balance of power—and what message might J.D. Vance have for Ohio State’s Ryan Day about all of this? Dive into the details and the drama right here. LEARN MORE.

More schools for the Big Ten means more success for the conference in the NFL Draft.

Over the weekend, the B1G revealed that this year’s 2025 draft class was a historic one — placing the most first-round draft picks it ever has on Night 1 of the offseason football event. Those players being:

• Abdul Carter, No. 3 (Penn State)
• Mason Graham, No. 5 (Michigan)
• Colston Loveland, No. 10 (Michigan)
• Kenneth Grant, No. 13 (Michigan)
• Tyler Warren, No. 14 (Penn State)
• Emeka Egbuka, No. 19 (Ohio State)
• Derrick Harmon, No. 21 (Oregon)
• Donovan Jackson, No. 24 (Ohio State)
• Tyleik Williams, No. 28 (Ohio State)
• Josh Conerly Jr., No. 29 (Oregon)
• Josh Simmons, No. 32 (Ohio State)

The 11 first round picks were the most ever for the Big Ten in a single draft 🙌 #B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/2OdK4eNv4N

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) April 25, 2025

Fans reacted to the Big Ten’s news on X.

“Draft Day is B1G 💙,” a user said.

“and of course Ohio State carries,” another pointed out.

“Expanding to the Big 18 will do that,” a fan replied.

“Not sure it’s via organic growth,” another user commented. “Kinda like they bought another company and claim a number like the business world.”

“Only four schools represented. Wow!”

Even in a bit of a down year for the Michigan Wolverines they still placed three players in the top 15 picks — second only to Ohio State‘s four first-round placements.

Penn State and Oregon were the other two schools to add to the Big Ten’s total after the Ducks first season joining the conference.

The SEC and B1G dominated the draft with the Big Ten’s southeastern rival sending 79 players to the NFL via the draft — to the B1G’s 71. The ACC was the next closest at 42. But after the Big 12 (31), it’s a mix of Independents and Group of 5 teams making up the rest of the ’25 draft pool.