The 2011 NFL draft is in the books, and it's time to take a look back at how the Big Ten fared in the selections. In case you missed it, check out my breakdown of the six Big Ten players who heard their names called in the first round.
All in all, 29 Big Ten players were drafted this year. New Big Ten member Nebraska had seven selections.
Let's start off with a rundown of the picks. I'll have some quick thoughts after each round.
First round
Second round
Third round
Fourth round
Fifth round
Sixth round
Seventh round
NEBRASKA'S DRAFTEES
Husker fans, I didn't forget you or your team. Nebraska actually had more draft picks (7) than any Big Ten team, and here they are.
Big Ten picks by team
Nebraska had three defensive backs, a running back, an offensive lineman, a wide receiver and a kicker drafted.
Draft snubs
Quite a few Big Ten players didn't hear their names called during the weekend, and they'll enter the shaky world of free agency. I was absolutely stunned no one drafted Ohio State's Dane Sanzenbacher. He was the Big Ten's top receiver last fall and brings a combination of football IQ and toughness that should appeal to football people not overly obsessed with measurables.
Wisconsin running back John Clay was the Big Ten's only non-senior who entered the draft but didn't get selected. Clay struggles with weight and his ankle problems might have contributed to him slipping through the draft.
Other Big Ten draft snubs include: Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien, Ohio State guard Justin Boren, Iowa tight end Allen Reisner and Purdue receiver Keith Smith. Nebraska's Pierre Allen and Ricky Henry also will go the free-agent route.
All in all, 29 Big Ten players were drafted this year. New Big Ten member Nebraska had seven selections.
Let's start off with a rundown of the picks. I'll have some quick thoughts after each round.
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Jeff Hanisch/US PresswireWisconsin defensive lineman J.J. Watt was the first Big Ten player selected in the NFL draft this year.
Jeff Hanisch/US PresswireWisconsin defensive lineman J.J. Watt was the first Big Ten player selected in the NFL draft this year.- Wisconsin DE J.J. Watt, Houston, No. 11 overall
- Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan, Washington, No. 16 overall
- Illinois DT Corey Liuget, San Diego, No. 18 overall
- Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn, Tampa Bay, No. 20 overall
- Wisconsin LT Gabe Carimi, Chicago, No. 29 overall
- Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh, No. 31
Second round
- Wisconsin TE Lance Kendricks, St. Louis, No. 47 overall
- Penn State G Stefen Wisniewski, Oakland, No. 48 overall
- Illinois RB Mikel Leshoure, Detroit, No. 57 overall
- Michigan LB Jonas Mouton, San Diego, No. 61 overall
Third round
- Illinois LB Martez Wilson, New Orleans, No. 72 overall
- Wisconsin G John Moffitt, Seattle, No. 75 overall
Fourth round
- Iowa DL Christian Ballard, Minnesota, No. 106 overall
- Ohio State CB Chimdi Chekwa, Oakland, No. 113 overall
- Indiana LT James Brewer, New York Giants, No. 117 overall
- Indiana WR Tandon Doss, Baltimore, No. 123 overall
Fifth round
- Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi, Kansas City, No. 135 overall
- Iowa DE Karl Klug, Tennessee, No. 142 overall
- Ohio State S Jermale Hines, St. Louis, No. 158 overall
- Iowa G Julian Vandervelde, Philadelphia, No. 161 overall
Sixth round
- Penn State RB Evan Royster, Washington, No. 177 overall
- Michigan State LB Greg Jones, New York Giants, No. 185 overall
- Michigan State CB Chris L. Rucker, Indianapolis, No. 188 overall
- Ohio State LB Brian Rolle, Philadelphia, No. 193 overall
- Iowa S Tyler Sash, New York Giants, No. 198 overall
- Ohio State LB Ross Homan, Minnesota, No. 200 overall
- Michigan G Stephen Schilling, San Diego, No. 201 overall
Seventh round
- Illinois LB Nate Bussey, New Orleans, No. 243 overall
- Wisconsin G/C Bill Nagy, Dallas, No. 252 overall
NEBRASKA'S DRAFTEES
Husker fans, I didn't forget you or your team. Nebraska actually had more draft picks (7) than any Big Ten team, and here they are.
- CB Prince Amukamara, New York Giants, No. 19 overall (first round)
- RB Roy Helu Jr., Washington, No. 104 overall (fourth round)
- K Alex Henery, Philadelphia, No. 120 overall (fourth round)
- DB Dejon Gomes, Washington, No. 146 overall (fifth round)
- WR Niles Paul, Washington, No. 155 overall (fifth round)
- OT Keith Williams, Pittsburgh, No. 196 overall (sixth round)
- DB Eric Hagg, Cleveland, No. 248 overall (seventh round)
Big Ten picks by team
- Nebraska: 7 (players competed in the Big 12)
- Iowa: 6
- Ohio State: 5
- Wisconsin: 5 (four picks in first three rounds)
- Illinois: 4
- Michigan State: 2
- Indiana: 2
- Michigan: 2
- Penn State: 2
- Purdue: 1
- Northwestern: 0
- Minnesota: 0
- DL: 7
- OL: 7
- LB: 6
- DB: 4
- RB: 2
- WR: 1
- TE: 1
- QB: 1
Nebraska had three defensive backs, a running back, an offensive lineman, a wide receiver and a kicker drafted.
Draft snubs
Quite a few Big Ten players didn't hear their names called during the weekend, and they'll enter the shaky world of free agency. I was absolutely stunned no one drafted Ohio State's Dane Sanzenbacher. He was the Big Ten's top receiver last fall and brings a combination of football IQ and toughness that should appeal to football people not overly obsessed with measurables.
Wisconsin running back John Clay was the Big Ten's only non-senior who entered the draft but didn't get selected. Clay struggles with weight and his ankle problems might have contributed to him slipping through the draft.
Other Big Ten draft snubs include: Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien, Ohio State guard Justin Boren, Iowa tight end Allen Reisner and Purdue receiver Keith Smith. Nebraska's Pierre Allen and Ricky Henry also will go the free-agent route.




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