Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, April 28, 2015
Penn State has a reputation for producing linebackers, while Wisconsin has forged a legacy for churning out offensive linemen and running backs. But each school also has been proficient when it comes to having defensive linemen picked in the NFL draft.
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How good has it been in State College and Madison? Each school has had eight d-linemen selected in the last 10 drafts.
The Big Ten has had 61 defensive linemen picked since 2005, with 12 first-round selections. Penn State leads the way in first-rounders with three: end Aaron Maybin in 2009; end Tamba Hali in 2006; end Jared Odrick in 2010. Wisconsin has had two first-round picks in ends J.J. Watt in 2011 and Erasmus James in 2005.
The Big Ten will see several d-linemen picked in the upcoming draft, led by Nebraska end Randy Gregory-a likely first-round pick. Other linemen who could go in the 2015 draft are Purdue?s Ryan Russell, Penn State?s Deion Barnes, Iowa?s Carl Davis and Ohio State?s Michael Bennett, along with perhaps Indiana?s Bobby Richardson and Iowa?s Louis Trinca-Pasat.
Here is a look at the Big Ten defensive line NFL draft leader board from 2005-14.
Penn State: 8
Wisconsin: 8
Iowa: 7
Purdue: 6
Michigan: 5
Michigan State: 5
Nebraska: 5
Ohio State: 5
Illinois: 4
Northwestern: 3
Indiana: 2
Minnesota: 2
Maryland: 1
Rutgers: 0
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First-rounders
DT Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska, Lions 2nd 2010
DE J.J. Watt, Wisconsin, Texans 11th 2011
DE Aaron Maybin, Penn State, Bills 11th 2009
NT Adam Carriker, Nebraska, Rams 13th 2007
DE Brandon Graham, Michigan, Eagles 13th 2010
DT Corey Liuget, Illinois, Chargers 18th 2011
DE Erasmus James, Wisconsin, Vikings 18th 2005
DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa, Buccaneers 20th 2011
DE Tamba Hali, Penn State, Chiefs 20th 2006
DT Luis Castillo, Northwestern, Chargers 28th 2005
DE Jared Odrick, Penn State, Dolphins 28th 2010
DE Cameron Hayward, Ohio State, Steelers 31st 2011
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| 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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