The SEC’s Draft-Day Reign Is Under Siege - And the Big Ten Is Ready to Rule
For years, the SEC didn’t just dominate college football - it owned the NFL Draft, too. From the podium in New York to the war rooms across the league, SEC players were the first names called, the most coveted prospects, the surest bets. That pipeline of elite talent helped build the conference’s brand into something more than just regional pride - it was the gold standard.
But fast forward to this draft cycle, and the landscape looks a whole lot different.
The Big Ten isn’t just catching up. It’s making a serious push to take over.
Big Ten Making Early First-Round Noise
Look at any reputable mock draft right now, and you’ll notice something that would’ve been unthinkable just a few years ago: the Big Ten is projected to dominate the top of the board. From Indiana to Ohio State, the conference could very well control the first 10 picks.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to go No. 1 overall - a massive statement from a program that just steamrolled Alabama in the postseason. That win wasn’t a fluke, either. The Big Ten has now claimed three straight national titles, each by a different team, while the SEC watched from the sidelines.
And it’s not just about the trophies. It’s about the talent pipeline.
SEC’s Draft Grip Is Loosening
For a long time, the SEC had the perfect formula. It talked the talk - and walked it.
Coaches sold recruits on the idea that the path to the NFL ran through the South. And they weren’t wrong.
Seven straight national titles. Draft boards littered with SEC names.
In 2020, LSU sent five players into the first round alone. That year, the SEC had 15 first-rounders and 40 picks in the first three rounds - more than the Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12 combined.
But that dominance is starting to look more like history than current reality.
This year, the SEC might only sneak one player - Auburn’s Keldric Faulk - into the top 10. Alabama, once a draft-day juggernaut, could be outpaced by Utah in first-round picks.
LSU is likely to have just one player go on Day 1. Georgia might only get two.
And while Texas and Texas A&M were supposed to inject new life into the SEC talent pool, only the Aggies seem poised to make any noise in Round 1.
That’s a far cry from the days when Nick Saban and Kirby Smart’s rosters were basically NFL feeder systems.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Let’s put it in perspective. In 2021, the SEC had 21 more players drafted than the Big Ten.
By 2023, that gap had shrunk to just seven. Last year, the SEC still led all conferences with 79 draftees, but the Big Ten was right behind with 71.
The margin is narrowing - fast.
And it’s not just about numbers. It’s about where those picks are happening. The SEC may still edge out the Big Ten in total first-rounders this year, but the Big Ten is expected to dominate the top 15 - the picks that usually define a draft class and shape franchises.
Why the Shift?
There’s no single reason for the change - it’s a mix of factors.
Conference realignment has reshaped the map. The Big Ten now stretches coast to coast, with programs like Oregon adding serious firepower both on the field and in the draft room.
NIL has also leveled the playing field. Top-tier talent isn’t just flocking to the SEC anymore; they’re finding opportunities - and exposure - across the country.
The SEC’s talent hasn’t vanished. It’s just more spread out. And in a sport where perception and momentum matter, the Big Ten is winning both.
A New Era?
The SEC still has plenty of pride - and plenty of players. But if this draft plays out the way it’s shaping up, it’ll be another reminder that the balance of power is shifting.
The confetti that’s fallen on Big Ten teams the past three seasons told part of the story. The names called early on draft night will tell the rest. And if the SEC starts losing its grip on the NFL Draft, that’s not just a recruiting problem - it’s a sign that the era of total SEC supremacy may be coming to a close.
For now, the SEC is still in the fight. But the Big Ten? It’s coming for the crown - and it’s not knocking politely.