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NFL Draft stat shows how dominant Wisconsin’s offensive linemen have been
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Every year, Wisconsin’s offensive line is considered to be one of the best in the B1G. It’s basically become one of the few certainties in college football.
But just in case you don’t believe that the Badgers have produced NFL-caliber offensive lineman at a high rate, there’s one statistic from the NFL Draft that says differently. This century, there isn’t a program that has had more offensive lineman drafted than Wisconsin.
According to figures from Brian Mason, assistant director of athletic communications, 20 Wisconsin offensive lineman have been drafted since the year 2000, most for any college football program. In that same time frame, Alabama has produced 19 offensive line draft picks, and Ohio State, Miami and Notre Dame have all totaled 18.
Including @MichaelDeiter and @d_edwards79, the Badgers have produced 20 offensive linemen taken in #NFLDraft since 2000, the most of any program. (h/t @PickSixPreviews)
20 – Wisconsin
19 – Alabama
18 – Ohio State
18 – Miami
18 – Notre Dame#OnWisconsin #OLineU— Brian Mason (@Brian_Mason) April 27, 2019
Wisconsin reached that 20-man total this weekend as Michael Deiter and David Edwards were both selected in the NFL Draft over the weekend. Deiter was a third-round selection, going No. 78 overall to the Miami Dolphins. Edwards was taken with the 169th pick in the fifth round by the Los Angeles Rams.
In total, the Badgers had four players selected in the draft, as linebackers Ryan Connelly and Andrew Van Ginkel were also picked over the weekend.
No wonder Wisconsin’s run game is so effective year-in, year-out. When you’ve got that many NFL-caliber offensive lineman, it makes life a lot easier on the running backs.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB