Big Ten School Alumni Dominate the NFL: Stars to Watch This Season

From Super Bowl champions to record-breaking rookies, alumni from Big Ten schools have made their mark across the NFL. This season promises to be another showcase of the conference's exceptional talent, with former players leading some of the league's most exciting storylines. 

Let's take a look at some of the Big Ten schools’ most dynamic NFL players in the game today. 

Nick Allegretti: Pure Grit 

Illinois product Nick Allegretti has become synonymous with championship success. The guard who earned the 2019 Big Ten Medal of Honor has collected three Super Bowl rings with the Kansas City Chiefs (LIV, LVII, LVIII), establishing himself as one of the most decorated Big Ten pro athletes of recent years. 

Allegretti's journey from seventh-round draft pick to championship starter exemplifies the grit and determination that defines Big Ten football. His personal story adds another layer to his success—welcoming twins via FaceTime just hours before winning his second Super Bowl in 2023. Now anchoring the Washington Commanders' offensive line, Allegretti brings championship experience to a franchise hungry for success. 

Stefon Diggs: Veteran Excellence 

Maryland's Stefon Diggs enters his 11th NFL season with an impressive resume that included six consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. The veteran wide receiver owns the four highest single-season reception totals in Buffalo Bills history, with his 127 catches in 2020 standing as the franchise record. 

Diggs' consistency has been remarkable throughout his career. If he manages 100 receptions this season with the Patriots, he'll join elite company alongside Antonio Brown and Brandon Marshall as the only NFL players with six 100-reception seasons. His All-Pro selections and sustained excellence make him one of the premier examples of Big Ten alumni thriving at football's highest level. 

Saquon Barkley: Record-Breaking Superstar 

Penn State legend Saquon Barkley capped off an extraordinary 2024 season by leading the Philadelphia Eagles to their Super Bowl LIX victory while earning NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. His historic 2,000-yard rushing season placed him eighth on the NFL's all-time single-season rushing list, accounting for an incredible 34.8% of the Eagles' total offense. 

Barkley's 5.8 yards per carry in 2024 showcased the explosive ability that made him a college football standout. As the ninth player in NFL history to eclipse 2,000 rushing yards in a single season, he continues to rewrite the record books while cementing his status as one of the most electrifying players in the league. 

Justin Herbert: Franchise Quarterback 

Oregon's Justin Herbert has quickly established himself as one of the NFL's premier quarterbacks with the Los Angeles Chargers. The 2020 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year set multiple rookie records, including most passing touchdowns (31) and completions (396) by a first-year player. 

Herbert has accumulated 21,093 passing yards in his first five seasons, which is the most in NFL history. The Eugene native, whose grandfather Rich Schwab played receiver for Oregon in the 1960s, represents the multi-generational excellence that defines college football families. 

Isiah Pacheco: Championship Catalyst 

Rutgers running back Isiah Pacheco has become an integral part of the Kansas City Chiefs' championship machinery. The seventh-round draft pick has earned two Super Bowl rings (LVII, LVIII), including a crucial touchdown in his Super Bowl debut that sparked the Chiefs' comeback against Philadelphia. 

Pacheco's postseason excellence has been particularly impressive, accumulating 547 rushing yards across 10 playoff games—the second-most in franchise history. His four postseason rushing touchdowns rank third all-time for the Chiefs, proving that late-round gems can emerge from Big Ten football programs. 

Cooper DeJean: Rookie Sensation 

Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean made NFL history during his rookie season with the Philadelphia Eagles. His pick-six against Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LIX made him the youngest player ever to return an interception for a touchdown in a Super Bowl, helping propel the Eagles to their championship victory. 

The Hawkeyes' 2023 unanimous consensus All-American didn't allow a touchdown pass all season for Philadelphia, earning AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist honors and PFWA All-Rookie Team recognition. DeJean's immediate impact demonstrates the defensive prowess that Big Ten football players bring to professional football. 

Amon-Ra St. Brown: Elite Consistency 

USC wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has emerged as one of the NFL's most consistent offensive threats with the Detroit Lions. His back-to-back First Team All-Pro selections in 2023 and 2024 place him among the elite receivers in professional football. 

St. Brown joined exclusive company by producing at least 115 receptions and 10 receiving touchdowns in consecutive seasons, matching achievements by Davante Adams and Antonio Brown. His 11 games with touchdown receptions in 2024 tied Calvin Johnson's single-season franchise record, showcasing the sustained excellence that defines elite NFL players. 

Trent McDuffie: Defensive Anchor 

Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie has become a cornerstone of the Kansas City Chiefs' championship defense. The first-round pick has collected two Super Bowl rings while earning two All-Pro selections, establishing himself as one of the league's premier defensive backs. 

McDuffie's unique skill set includes pass-rushing ability rare for cornerbacks, setting Chiefs records for quarterback pressures by a defensive back. His versatility exemplifies the multi-dimensional talent that Big Ten school alumni bring to NFL defenses. 

Aidan Hutchinson: Defensive Force 

Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson quickly became one of the NFL's most feared pass rushers with the Detroit Lions. The second overall draft pick joined elite company by recording 25.0 sacks and four interceptions through his first three seasons, matching achievements by Clay Matthews and Lawrence Taylor. 

The 2021 Heisman Trophy runner-up set multiple NFL records, including most interceptions by a defensive lineman through two seasons (four) and becoming the first rookie to achieve 9.5 sacks, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries in a single season. 

C.J. Stroud: Rising Star 

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud made an immediate impact with the Houston Texans as the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. The second overall pick joined Cam Newton and Justin Herbert as the only players to accumulate at least 900 passing yards in their first three NFL games. 

Stroud's precision was evident from day one, starting his career with 191 consecutive attempts without an interception—an NFL record. As he enters his third season, the two-time Heisman finalist looks to lead the Texans beyond the divisional round of the playoffs. 

Big Ten Brother Duos 

The Bosa Brothers 

Ohio State's defensive line factory produced one of the NFL's most dominant sibling pairs. Joey Bosa, the 2016 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and five-time Pro Bowler, recently joined the Buffalo Bills after establishing himself with the Chargers. His younger brother Nick earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors and led the league in sacks in 2022 with the San Francisco 49ers. 

Both brothers won the Big Ten's Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year Award, with Nick (2017) following Joey's back-to-back victories in 2014-15. Their combined impact demonstrates the consistent excellence of Big Ten football's defensive development. 

The Brown Twins 

Illinois twins Sydney and Chase Brown overcame extraordinary adversity to reach the NFL, living in approximately 20 homes and shelters before age 16. Their inspiring journey took them from Canada to Florida, where they lived with a host family and led Saint Stephen's Episcopal School to back-to-back state championship appearances. 

After they both started for the Illini, Sydney helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LIX in 2024 as a safety, while Chase became a key contributor for the Cincinnati Bengals with 1,350 yards from scrimmage in 2024. They became the first twins selected in the first five rounds since Ronde and Tiki Barber in 1997. 

Rookies to Watch 

The NFL's 2025 Big Ten rookie class is set to make immediate impacts across the league. Just a few names we're watching: 

• J.J. McCarthy – The Michigan star and 2023 Big Ten Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year was drafted 10th overall by the Vikings and will be their QB1 in his second season. (He was injured last year) 
• Emeka Egbuka – An essential wide receiver on Ohio State's 2025 CFP Championship team, Egbuka was drafted 19th overall to the Buccaneers and will see action week one  
• Tyler Warren – The John Mackey Award winner and Big Ten Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year from Penn State is set to start for the Colts (No. 14 overall pick)  
• Abdul Carter – Penn State’s Big Ten Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year and Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year will bring new life to the 2025 Giants (No. 3 overall)  
• Aireontae Ersery – The Texans drafted Minnesota's Big Ten Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year in the second round and praised his preseason performance  

More Names to Watch 

Big Ten school alumni span across the NFL: 

• Illinois: Devon Witherspoon (Seattle Seahawks) 
• Indiana: Cam Jones (New York Jets) 
• Iowa: T.J. Hockenson (Minnesota Vikings), George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers), Sam LaPorta (Detroit Lions) 
• Maryland: DJ Moore (Chicago Bears) 
• Michigan: Nico Collins (Houston Texans), Jake Moody (San Fransisco 49ers), Rashan Gary (Green Bay Packers) 
• Michigan State: Kenneth Walker III (Seattle Seahawks), Jack Conklin (Cleveland Browns), Jayden Reed (Green Bay Packers) 
• Minnesota: Antoine Winfield Jr. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Rashod Bateman (Baltimore Ravens) 
• Nebraska: Cam Jurgens (Philadelphia Eagles), Lavonte David (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) 
• Northwestern: Greg Newsome II (Cleveland Browns) 
• Ohio State: Justin Fields (New York Jets), Chris Olave (New Orleans Saints), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seattle Seahawks), Garrett Wilson (New York Jets) 
• Oregon: Bucky Irving (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Bo Nix (Denver Broncos) 
• Penn State: Micah Parsons (Green Bay Packers), Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay Buccaneeers), Pat Freiermuth (Pittsburgh Steelers) 
• Rutgers: Andrew DePaola (Minnesota Vikings)
• USC: Drake London (Atlanta Falcons), Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), JuJu Smith-Schuster (Kansas City Chiefs), Sam Darnold (Seattle Seahawks) 
• Washington: Cade Otton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta Falcons), Rome Odunze (Chicago Bears) 
• Wisconsin: Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts), Jake Ferguson (Dallas Cowboys), T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers), Russell Wilson (New York Giants) 

The Big Ten's Continued NFL Impact 

Alumni from Big Ten schools continue to shape the NFL landscape at every position and on every team. From championship-winning veterans to record-setting rookies, these student-athletes have successfully transitioned to become some of the league's most impactful professional players. 

As another NFL season kicks off, Big Ten football fans can take pride in watching their conference's alumni compete at the highest level. These players represent more than just individual success stories—they embody the values, work ethic, and excellence that define Big Ten athletics.