Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, April 24, 2015

The Big Ten has had its share of quality tight ends in recent years. And the NFL has taken notice.

[ MORE: Check out Tom Dienhart's Big Ten NFL draft snapshots ]

The conference has seen 23 tight ends selected in the last 10 drafts. And two have been first-rounders, with Maryland?s Vernon Davis going sixth overall in 2006 and Purdue?s Dustin Keller going 30th in 2008.

The Big Ten school that has been most prolific at producing tight ends that have been NFL draft choices the last 10 years? It?s Wisconsin, which has had five picked: Owen Daniels (2006, Texans); Jason Pociask (2006, Jets); Travis Beckum (2009, Giants); Garrett Graham (2010, Texans); Lance Kendricks (2011, Rams).

Iowa has done well, too, with four tight ends picked: Scott Chandler (2007, Chargers); Brandon Myers (2009, Raiders); Tony Moeaki (2010, Chiefs); C.J. Fiedorowicz (2014, Texans).

No other Big Ten school has had more than two tight ends selected since the 2005 NFL draft.

This year?s draft could feature Minnesota?s Maxx Williams going in the first round. He?s widely considered the best tight end in the 2015 NFL draft. And Rutgers? Tyler Kroft, Ohio State?s Jeff Heuerman and Penn State?s Jesse James-among others–also figure to be selected at some point.

Here is a look at the Big Ten tight end NFL draft leader board from 2005-14.

Wisconsin: 5

Iowa: 4

Maryland: 2

Michigan State: 2

Penn State: 2

Rutgers: 2

Illinois: 1

Indiana: 1

Michigan: 1

Minnesota: 1

Northwestern: 1

Purdue: 1

Nebraska: 0

Ohio State: 0

***

First-rounders

Vernon Davis, Maryland 6th 2006/49ers

Dustin Keller, Purdue 30th 2008/Jets

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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