NFL Draft picks by college tracker 2026: Ohio State leads first round, Big Ten edges SEC for most picks originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ohio State led all schools with four players selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft -- though the order was a little different than expected.
The Tennessee Titans drafted receiver Carnell Tate with the No. 4 pick. Edge rusher Arvell Reese went with the next pick to the New York Giants, and linebacker Sonny Styles went two picks later at No. 7 to the Washington Commanders. The Dallas Cowboys selected Caleb Downs with the No. 11 pick.
Miami had three players selected in the first round. The Giants took tackle Francis Mauigoa (No. 10), Tampa Bay drafted edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. (No. 15), and the Los Angeles Chargers took Akheem Mesidor (No. 22).
The Big Ten led all conferences with 10 players selected in the first round. The SEC and ACC had seven players apiece drafted.
Here’s a closer look at the NFL Draft by college and by conference.
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Sporting News will track the NFL Draft selections by college here for the 2026 NFL Draft:
Sporting News will track the NFL Draft by conference here. The SEC led all conferences with 80 players drafted in 2025.