Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, March 28, 2015
The NFL Draft is just over a month away, running from April 30-May 2 in Chicago. So, let?s take a look at how Big Ten teams have fared in the last 10 drafts, from 2005-2014.
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First up is Illinois, which may not have any selections in this year?s draft. The best bet to be picked figures to be safety Zane Petty. And he looks like a long shot.
The Fighting Illini have produced some top talent in the last decade-thank you, Ron Zook-with five first-round selections. But Illinois had no picks in 2006 or 2014. On average, Illinois has had 2.3 players picked each year. Sounds about right when you consider this program has been to just four bowls in the last 10 seasons.
Illinois has had no quarterbacks picked the last decade, the only position not represented (not counting specialists). But that may change when Wes Lunt enters the draft. He?ll be a junior in 2015.
ILLINOIS DRAFT (2005-14)
Highest pick: DT Corey Liuget, No. 18 overall/Chargers, 2011
Most fertile draft: 4 picks in 2013; 2012; 2011; 2010
Total first-round selections: 5
Total picks: 23
Position breakdown:
- Offensive line: 5
- Defensive back: 5
- Linebacker: 4
- Defensive line: 4
- Running back: 2
- Receiver: 2
- Tight end: 1
***
2005
Second Round: DB Kelvin Hayden, Colts
Fourth Round: C Duke Preston, Bills
2006
None
2007
Seventh Round: CB Alan Ball, Cowboys
2008
First Round: RB Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers
2009
First Round: DB Vontae Davis, Dolphins
Fifth Round: OT Xavier Fulton, Buccaneers
Sixth Round: LB Will Davis, Cardinals
2010
Second Round: WR Arrelious Benn, Buccaneers
Third Round: G Jon Asamoah, Chiefs
Fifth Round: TE Michael Hoomanawanui, Rams
Seventh Round: NT Josh Brent, Cowboys
2011
First Round: DT Corey Liuget, Chargers
Second Round: RB Mikel Leshoure, Lions
Third Round: LB Martez Wilson, Saints
Seventh Round: LB Nate Bussey, Saints
2012
First Round: LB Whitney Mercilus, Texans
First Round: WR A.J. Jenkins, 49ers
Second Round: OT Jeff Allen, Chiefs
Second Round: FS Tavon Wilson, Patriots
2013
Third Round: G Hugh Thornton, Colts
Fourth Round: DT Akeem Spence, Buccaneers
Fifth Round: CB Terry Hawthorne, Steelers
Seventh Round: DE Michael Buchanan, Patriots
2014
None
| 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. |
