Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, May 9, 2014

Last year, the Big Ten had one first-round pick. Things went better last night in what was a good first night at the NFL draft for the Big Ten with four selections. Ohio State led the way with two picks. The first Big Ten player off the board? Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan. He also was the third OT tabbed, going No. 11 to Tennessee.

Lewan is the first Wolverine to be picked in the first round since defensive lineman Brandon Graham went No. 13 to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010. He also becomes Michigan's highest draft choice since offensive tackle Jake Long went No. 1 overall in 2008.

The next Big Ten player taken was Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier, who went to the Steelers with the No. 15 pick after he declared early for the draft.

Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard was the third Big Ten player tabbed. But he slid further than expected, going No. 24 to the Bengals after some had him going as high as No. 10.

Just think: Dennard was a two-star recruit.

Ohio State CB Bradley Roby had to wait a while, but he was the fourth and final Big Ten player tabbed in the first round on Thursday night with the No. 31 pick to Denver. Roby is the first OSU defensive back to go in first round since Malcolm Jenkins in 2009 and becomes the 13th Buckeye DB to go in first round.

The last Ohio State player taken by the Broncos? Maurice Clarett.

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Some people thought Nebraska cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste would be a first-rounder, as he seemingly was making a late push up draft boards. Alas, he?ll have to wait.

Expect him to go today.

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How well is recruiting going for Penn State coach James Franklin? He?s turning away kids already-and we are in May.

One recruiting service has Penn State?s current haul of 15 recruits No. 2 in the nation. One way to augment recruiting numbers is to grayshirt, which is a practice that Franklin and the Nittany Lions could utilize.

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Nice piece here on the father-son relationship between Doug and Chris Collins.

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From football coach to president of Youngstown State ? what a rise for Jim Tressel. My reaction: wow. Has a former football coach-who got a program on NCAA probation, no less–ever been named a school president?

TWEETS THAT MATTER

My take: This is perfect.

My take: Always surprised by ACC production.

My take: No doubt. As if OSU needs more help in recruiting.

My take: There is that.

My take: Stud.

My take: Michigan vs. Michigan State.

My take: So there is that.

My take: Wow! That?s a long dry spell.

My take: Maybe next year?

About Tom Dienhart BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section.

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