In the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, 26 out of the 32 first-round picks were from Big Ten or SEC programs.
11 of those picks came from the Big Ten, with 15 from the SEC. Both NIL and the transfer portal contribute to this greater trend, with many of these top players wanting to play in the two biggest conferences on the brightest stages. That, and those conferences recently expanded to include a greater share of the sport's powers.
Since NFL draft picks began being tracked, Wisconsin ranks tied for 22nd for the most first-round picks, ranking just below Nebraska, Auburn, and Washington, and just above teams including Iowa and Oregon.