Updated by Dan on Sep 1, 2015
What Big Ten schools had the most and highest paid NFL players in 2015?
How it works
| College | # | Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Wisconsin | 26 | $93.7M |
| 2. | Ohio State | 37 | $69.9M |
| 3. | Penn State | 29 | $61.4M |
| 4. | Michigan | 23 | $54.4M |
| 5. | Iowa | 30 | $52.1M |
| 6. | Purdue | 14 | $51.8M |
| 7. | Illinois | 13 | $40.7M |
| 8. | Michigan State | 25 | $28.2M |
| 9. | Nebraska | 19 | $19.3M |
| 10. | Minnesota | 11 | $14.5M |
| 11. | Indiana | 8 | $10.5M |
| 12. | Northwestern | 12 | $10M |
| 13. | Rutgers | 5 | $2.6M |
| 14. | Maryland | 3 | $1.3M |
| Name | College | NFL | Pos | Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Corey Liuget | Illinois | Rams | DT | $10.3M |
| 2. | Vontae Davis | Illinois | Colts | CB | $9M |
| 3. | Whitney Mercilus | Illinois | Texans | OLB | $6.5M |
| 4. | Jon Asamoah | Illinois | Falcons | G | $4.5M |
| 5. | Alan Ball | Illinois | Bears | CB | $3M |
| 6. | Jeff Cumberland | Illinois | Jets | TE | $1.9M |
| 7. | Michael Hoomanawanui | Illinois | Patriots | TE | $1.2M |
| 8. | Jeff Allen | Illinois | Chiefs | G | $1.2M |
| 9. | Tavon Wilson | Illinois | Patriots | FS | $1.1M |
| 10. | Arrelious Benn | Illinois | Jaguars | WR | $710K |
| 11. | Hugh Thornton | Illinois | Colts | G | $683.8K |
| 12. | Akeem Spence | Illinois | Buccaneers | DT | $661.1K |
| 13. | Justin Staples | Illinois | Titans | OLB | $112.2K |
| Name | College | NFL | Pos | Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Rodger Saffold | Indiana | G | $6.3M | |
| 2. | Cody Latimer | Indiana | Broncos | WR | $927.2K |
| 3. | Tracy Porter | Indiana | Bears | CB | $870K |
| 4. | Tevin Coleman | Indiana | Falcons | RB | $804.8K |
| 5. | Bobby Richardson | Indiana | Saints | DT | $526.7K |
| 6. | Marcus Thigpen | Indiana | Bills | WR | $482.5K |
| 7. | Adam Replogle | Indiana | Falcons | G | $480K |
| 8. | Andrew McDonald | Indiana | Browns | RT | $112.2K |
| Name | College | NFL | Pos | Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Bryan Bulaga | Iowa | Packers | RT | $6.8M |
| 2. | Marshal Yanda | Iowa | Ravens | G | $6.4M |
| 3. | Chad Greenway | Iowa | Vikings | OLB | $6.3M |
| 4. | Brandon Scherff | Iowa | Redskins | G | $5.3M |
| 5. | Adrian Clayborn | Iowa | Falcons | DE | $3M |
| 5. | Jonathan Babineaux | Iowa | Falcons | DT | $3M |
| 7. | Scott Chandler | Iowa | Patriots | TE | $2.7M |
| 8. | Brandon Myers | Iowa | Buccaneers | TE | $2.1M |
| 9. | Riley Reiff | Iowa | Lions | LT | $2M |
| 10. | Karl Klug | Iowa | Titans | DT | $1.9M |
| 11. | Bradley Fletcher | Iowa | Patriots | CB | $1.5M |
| 12. | Charles Godfrey | Iowa | Falcons | SS | $1.3M |
| 13. | Colin Cole | Iowa | Panthers | DT | $1.1M |
| 14. | C.J. Fiedorowicz | Iowa | Texans | TE | $798.8K |
| 15. | Carl Davis | Iowa | Ravens | DT | $768.7K |
| 16. | Christian Kirksey | Iowa | Browns | ILB | $760K |
| 17. | Andrew Donnal | Iowa | T | $694.2K | |
| 18. | Anthony Hitchens | Iowa | Cowboys | ILB | $663.7K |
| 19. | Allen Reisner | Iowa | Ravens | TE | $660K |
| 20. | Mike Daniels | Iowa | Packers | DE | $600.1K |
| 21. | Micah Hyde | Iowa | Packers | FS | $584.5K |
| 22. | Mark Weisman | Iowa | Bengals | RB | $526.2K |
| 23. | Brandon Wegher | Iowa | Panthers | RB | $525.8K |
| 23. | Ray Hamilton | Iowa | Steelers | TE | $525.8K |
| 25. | Damond Powell | Iowa | Cardinals | WR | $525.2K |
| 26. | Matt Tobin | Iowa | Eagles | G | $496.7K |
| 27. | James Ferentz | Iowa | Broncos | C | $480K |
| 28. | Ricky Stanzi | Iowa | Lions | QB | $112.2K |
| 28. | Louis Trinca-Pasat | Iowa | DT | $112.2K | |
| 28. | Adam Gettis | Iowa | Giants | G | $112.2K |
| Name | College | NFL | Pos | Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Stefon Diggs | Maryland | Vikings | WR | $626.9K |
| 2. | Darius Kilgo | Maryland | Broncos | DT | $597.9K |
| 3. | Cole Farrand | Maryland | Giants | ILB | $112.2K |
| Name | College | NFL | Pos | Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Leon Hall | Michigan | Bengals | CB | $9.8M |
| 2. | Tom Brady | Michigan | Patriots | QB | $9M |
| 3. | David Harris | Michigan | Jets | ILB | $7.2M |
| 4. | Brandon Graham | Michigan | Eagles | OLB | $6.5M |
| 5. | Chad Henne | Michigan | Jaguars | QB | $4M |
| 6. | Charles Woodson | Michigan | SS | $3.2M | |
| 7. | Taylor Lewan | Michigan | Titans | LT | $2.9M |
| 8. | Alan Branch | Michigan | Patriots | DT | $2.2M |
| 9. | Devin Funchess | Michigan | Panthers | WR | $1.4M |
| 10. | LaMarr Woodley | Michigan | Cardinals | OLB | $950K |
| 10. | Jason Avant | Michigan | Chiefs | WR | $950K |
| 12. | Frank Clark | Michigan | Seahawks | DE | $933.1K |
| 13. | Michael Schofield | Michigan | Broncos | RT | $694.3K |
| 14. | Jake Ryan | Michigan | Packers | OLB | $684.2K |
| 15. | Mike Martin | Michigan | Titans | DE | $681.9K |
| 16. | Jordan Kovacs | Michigan | Dolphins | SS | $605K |
| 17. | Denard Robinson | Michigan | Jaguars | RB | $593.4K |
| 18. | Kenny Demens | Michigan | Cardinals | ILB | $540K |
| 18. | David Molk | Michigan | Eagles | C | $540K |
| 20. | Patrick Omameh | Michigan | Bears | G | $496K |
| 21. | Drew Nowak | Michigan | Seahawks | G | $480K |
| 22. | Brennen Beyer | Michigan | Ravens | OLB | $112.2K |
| 22. | Fitz Toussaint | Michigan | Steelers | RB | $112.2K |
| Name | College | NFL | Pos | Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Brian Hoyer | Michigan State | Texans | QB | $5.3M |
| 2. | Domata Peko | Michigan State | Bengals | DT | $4.5M |
| 3. | Trae Waynes | Michigan State | Vikings | CB | $3.2M |
| 4. | Drew Stanton | Michigan State | Cardinals | QB | $2.7M |
| 5. | Darqueze Dennard | Michigan State | Bengals | CB | $2M |
| 6. | Le'Veon Bell | Michigan State | Steelers | RB | $1M |
| 7. | Kellen Davis | Michigan State | Jets | TE | $950K |
| 7. | Kevin Vickerson | Michigan State | Jets | DT | $950K |
| 9. | Garrett Celek | Michigan State | 49ers | TE | $710K |
| 10. | Jeremy Langford | Michigan State | Bears | RB | $705.9K |
| 11. | Trenton Robinson | Michigan State | Redskins | FS | $685K |
| 12. | Dion Sims | Michigan State | Dolphins | TE | $656.9K |
| 13. | Kirk Cousins | Michigan State | Redskins | QB | $643.2K |
| 14. | William Gholston | Michigan State | Buccaneers | DE | $640.1K |
| 15. | Keshawn Martin | Michigan State | Texans | WR | $628.1K |
| 16. | Tony Lippett | Michigan State | Dolphins | WR | $623.7K |
| 17. | Keith Mumphery | Michigan State | Texans | WR | $611.6K |
| 18. | Glenn Winston | Michigan State | Browns | RB | $510K |
| 19. | Bennie Fowler | Michigan State | Broncos | WR | $435K |
| 20. | Dan France | Michigan State | Bengals | G | $112.2K |
| 20. | Kurtis Drummond | Michigan State | Texans | SS | $112.2K |
| 20. | Max Bullough | Michigan State | Texans | ILB | $112.2K |
| 20. | Taiwan Jones | Michigan State | Jets | LB | $112.2K |
| 20. | Andrew Gleichert | Michigan State | Eagles | TE | $112.2K |
| 20. | Marcus Rush | Michigan State | 49ers | DT | $112.2K |
| Name | College | NFL | Pos | Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Eric Decker | Minnesota | Jets | WR | $7.3M |
| 2. | Ra'Shede Hageman | Minnesota | Falcons | DE | $1.3M |
| 3. | Marcus Sherels | Minnesota | Vikings | CB | $1.1M |
| 3. | Matt Spaeth | Minnesota | Steelers | TE | $1.1M |
| 5. | Maxx Williams | Minnesota | Ravens | TE | $1M |
| 6. | Damien Wilson | Minnesota | Cowboys | ILB | $686.6K |
| 7. | Brock Vereen | Minnesota | Bears | FS | $665.5K |
| 8. | David Cobb | Minnesota | Titans | RB | $631.4K |
| 9. | MarQueis Gray | Minnesota | Bills | TE | $496.3K |
| 10. | Cedric Thompson | Minnesota | Dolphins | FS | $112.2K |
| 10. | Isaac Fruechte | Minnesota | Vikings | WR | $112.2K |
| Name | College | NFL | Pos | Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Lavonte David | Nebraska | Buccaneers | OLB | $10.1M |
| 2. | Ameer Abdullah | Nebraska | Lions | RB | $1M |
| 3. | Randy Gregory | Nebraska | Cowboys | OLB | $953.7K |
| 4. | Spencer Long | Nebraska | Redskins | G | $716K |
| 5. | Eric Martin | Nebraska | Patriots | OLB | $645K |
| 6. | Jared Crick | Nebraska | Texans | DE | $622.9K |
| 7. | Kenny Bell | Nebraska | Buccaneers | WR | $621.2K |
| 8. | Rex Burkhead | Nebraska | Bengals | RB | $565.6K |
| 9. | Daimion Stafford | Nebraska | Titans | SS | $551.5K |
| 10. | Joshua Mitchell | Nebraska | Colts | CB | $525.7K |
| 11. | Brent Qvale | Nebraska | Jets | RT | $525K |
| 11. | Quincy Enunwa | Nebraska | Jets | WR | $525K |
| 13. | Jeremiah Sirles | Nebraska | Vikings | RT | $510K |
| 14. | Will Compton | Nebraska | Redskins | ILB | $496.7K |
| 15. | Mohammed Seisay | Nebraska | Seahawks | CB | $465K |
| 16. | Trevor Roach | Nebraska | Bengals | ILB | $112.2K |
| 16. | Zaire Anderson | Nebraska | Broncos | OLB | $112.2K |
| 16. | Stanley Jean-Baptiste | Nebraska | Lions | CB | $112.2K |
| 16. | Jason Ankrah | Nebraska | Titans | DE | $112.2K |
| Name | College | NFL | Pos | Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Zach Strief | Northwestern | Saints | RT | $4M |
| 2. | Sherrick McManis | Northwestern | Bears | CB | $825K |
| 2. | Corey Wootton | Northwestern | Lions | DT | $825K |
| 4. | Ibraheim Campbell | Northwestern | Browns | SS | $698K |
| 5. | Mike Kafka | Northwestern | Vikings | QB | $660K |
| 6. | Corbin Bryant | Northwestern | Bills | DT | $585K |
| 7. | Trevor Siemian | Northwestern | Broncos | QB | $583.2K |
| 8. | Jimmy Hall | Northwestern | SS | $531.7K | |
| 9. | Chi Chi Ariguzo | Northwestern | Rams | LB | $526.3K |
| 10. | Kyle Prater | Northwestern | Saints | WR | $525K |
| 11. | Rashad Lawrence | Northwestern | Jaguars | WR | $112.2K |
| 11. | Brian Peters | Northwestern | Vikings | ILB | $112.2K |
| Name | College | NFL | Pos | Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Cameron Heyward | Ohio State | Steelers | DE | $9.9M |
| 2. | James Laurinaitis | Ohio State | ILB | $8.3M | |
| 3. | Nick Mangold | Ohio State | Jets | C | $7.7M |
| 4. | Donte Whitner | Ohio State | Browns | SS | $7M |
| 5. | Malcolm Jenkins | Ohio State | Eagles | FS | $5.2M |
| 6. | Brian Hartline | Ohio State | Browns | WR | $3M |
| 6. | Alex Boone | Ohio State | 49ers | G | $3M |
| 8. | Ryan Shazier | Ohio State | Steelers | ILB | $2.4M |
| 9. | Ted Ginn Jr. | Ohio State | Panthers | WR | $2.1M |
| 10. | Mike Nugent | Ohio State | Bengals | K | $1.8M |
| 11. | Bradley Roby | Ohio State | Broncos | CB | $1.7M |
| 12. | A.J. Hawk | Ohio State | Bengals | OLB | $1.6M |
| 13. | Devin Smith | Ohio State | Jets | WR | $1.5M |
| 14. | Kurt Coleman | Ohio State | Panthers | FS | $1.4M |
| 15. | Will Allen | Ohio State | Steelers | SS | $1.1M |
| 16. | Johnathan Hankins | Ohio State | Giants | DT | $1M |
| 17. | Carlos Hyde | Ohio State | 49ers | RB | $920.4K |
| 18. | Jack Mewhort | Ohio State | Colts | RT | $893.5K |
| 19. | Mike Adams | Ohio State | Steelers | LT | $885.9K |
| 20. | Jake McQuaide | Ohio State | LS | $861.3K | |
| 21. | Chimdi Chekwa | Ohio State | CB | $745K | |
| 22. | Jeff Heuerman | Ohio State | Broncos | TE | $742.1K |
| 23. | Terrelle Pryor | Ohio State | Browns | WR | $660K |
| 23. | Dan Herron | Ohio State | Colts | RB | $660K |
| 25. | Michael Bennett | Ohio State | Jaguars | DT | $604.7K |
| 26. | Corey Linsley | Ohio State | Packers | C | $601.3K |
| 27. | John Simon | Ohio State | Texans | OLB | $585K |
| 27. | Mike Brewster | Ohio State | Saints | C | $585K |
| 29. | Nate Ebner | Ohio State | Patriots | FS | $549.2K |
| 30. | Corey Brown | Ohio State | Panthers | WR | $515K |
| 31. | Andrew Norwell | Ohio State | Panthers | G | $514K |
| 32. | Travis Howard | Ohio State | Falcons | CB | $435K |
| 33. | Christian Bryant | Ohio State | FS | $112.2K | |
| 33. | Doug Worthington | Ohio State | DE | $112.2K | |
| 33. | Jake Stoneburner | Ohio State | Dolphins | TE | $112.2K |
| 33. | Rod Smith | Ohio State | Seahawks | RB | $112.2K |
| 33. | Reid Fragel | Ohio State | Buccaneers | RT | $112.2K |
| Name | College | NFL | Pos | Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Navorro Bowman | Penn State | 49ers | ILB | $9.1M |
| 2. | Jared Odrick | Penn State | Jaguars | DE | $8.5M |
| 3. | Sean Lee | Penn State | Cowboys | OLB | $7M |
| 4. | Cameron Wake | Penn State | Dolphins | DE | $6.6M |
| 5. | Tamba Hali | Penn State | Chiefs | OLB | $6M |
| 6. | Paul Posluszny | Penn State | Jaguars | ILB | $5M |
| 7. | Robbie Gould | Penn State | Bears | K | $3.8M |
| 8. | Stefen Wisniewski | Penn State | Jaguars | C | $2.5M |
| 9. | Donovan Smith | Penn State | Buccaneers | LT | $1.5M |
| 10. | Andrew Quarless | Penn State | Packers | TE | $1.5M |
| 11. | Allen Robinson | Penn State | Jaguars | WR | $877.7K |
| 12. | A.Q. Shipley | Penn State | Cardinals | C | $785K |
| 13. | Jordan Norwood | Penn State | Broncos | WR | $695K |
| 14. | Jordan Hill | Penn State | Seahawks | DT | $691K |
| 15. | DaQuan Jones | Penn State | Titans | DE | $668.9K |
| 16. | Gerald Hodges | Penn State | Vikings | OLB | $645K |
| 17. | Adrian Amos | Penn State | Bears | FS | $628.1K |
| 18. | Jesse James | Penn State | Steelers | TE | $622.2K |
| 19. | Jack Crawford | Penn State | Cowboys | DE | $615K |
| 20. | John Urschel | Penn State | Ravens | G | $591.1K |
| 21. | Nathan Stupar | Penn State | Falcons | ILB | $585K |
| 22. | Johnnie Troutman | Penn State | Rams | G | $572.9K |
| 23. | Michael Mauti | Penn State | Saints | ILB | $555.7K |
| 24. | Garry Gilliam | Penn State | Seahawks | RT | $514K |
| 25. | Matt McGloin | Penn State | QB | $495K | |
| 26. | Ross Travis | Penn State | Chiefs | TE | $112.2K |
| 26. | Mike Hull | Penn State | Dolphins | ILB | $112.2K |
| 26. | Brad Bars | Penn State | Giants | DE | $112.2K |
| 26. | Deion Barnes | Penn State | Jets | DE | $112.2K |
| Name | College | NFL | Pos | Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Drew Brees | Purdue | Saints | QB | $20M |
| 2. | Ryan Kerrigan | Purdue | Redskins | OLB | $11.5M |
| 3. | Cliff Avril | Purdue | Seahawks | DE | $7.1M |
| 4. | Michael Neal | Purdue | Packers | DE | $4M |
| 5. | Rob Ninkovich | Purdue | Patriots | DE | $3.5M |
| 6. | Kawann Short | Purdue | Panthers | DT | $1.2M |
| 7. | Anthony Spencer | Purdue | Saints | OLB | $950K |
| 8. | Dennis Kelly | Purdue | Eagles | G | $790K |
| 9. | Ryan Russell | Purdue | Cowboys | DE | $620.7K |
| 10. | Kevin Pamphile | Purdue | Buccaneers | LT | $604.6K |
| 11. | Gabe Holmes | Purdue | TE | $528.3K | |
| 12. | Ricardo Allen | Purdue | Falcons | CB | $465K |
| 12. | Bruce Gaston | Purdue | Packers | DT | $465K |
| 14. | Raheem Mostert | Purdue | Eagles | RB | $112.2K |
| Name | College | NFL | Pos | Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Tyler Kroft | Rutgers | Bengals | TE | $742.8K |
| 2. | Michael Burton | Rutgers | Lions | FB | $616.1K |
| 3. | Kevin Brock | Rutgers | Saints | TE | $585K |
| 4. | Kevin Snyder | Rutgers | Lions | LB | $525.3K |
| 5. | Kaleb Johnson | Rutgers | Ravens | T | $112.2K |
| Name | College | NFL | Pos | Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Russell Wilson | Wisconsin | Seahawks | QB | $21.9M |
| 2. | J.J. Watt | Wisconsin | Texans | DE | $16.7M |
| 3. | Joe Thomas | Wisconsin | Browns | LT | $11.5M |
| 4. | DeAndre Levy | Wisconsin | Lions | OLB | $8.4M |
| 5. | Lance Kendricks | Wisconsin | TE | $4.6M | |
| 6. | Owen Daniels | Wisconsin | Broncos | TE | $4.1M |
| 7. | Garrett Graham | Wisconsin | Texans | TE | $3.8M |
| 8. | Kraig Urbik | Wisconsin | Bills | G | $3.7M |
| 9. | Melvin Gordon | Wisconsin | Rams | RB | $2.7M |
| 10. | Jonathan Casillas | Wisconsin | Giants | OLB | $2.7M |
| 11. | Kevin Zeitler | Wisconsin | Bengals | G | $1.9M |
| 12. | Travis Frederick | Wisconsin | Cowboys | C | $1.7M |
| 13. | O'Brien Schofield | Wisconsin | Falcons | OLB | $1.7M |
| 14. | Scott Tolzien | Wisconsin | Packers | QB | $1.4M |
| 14. | Chris Maragos | Wisconsin | Eagles | FS | $1.4M |
| 16. | Rob Havenstein | Wisconsin | RT | $992.5K | |
| 17. | Nick Hayden | Wisconsin | Cowboys | DT | $825K |
| 18. | Dezmen Southward | Wisconsin | Falcons | CB | $781.3K |
| 19. | James White | Wisconsin | Patriots | RB | $654.3K |
| 20. | Ricky Wagner | Wisconsin | Ravens | RT | $576.1K |
| 21. | Beau Allen | Wisconsin | Eagles | DT | $570.6K |
| 22. | Brad Nortman | Wisconsin | Panthers | P | $544.7K |
| 23. | Ryan Groy | Wisconsin | Patriots | G | $465K |
| 24. | Jared Abbrederis | Wisconsin | Packers | WR | $112.2K |
| 24. | Ethan Hemer | Wisconsin | Steelers | DT | $112.2K |
| 24. | Marcus Cromartie | Wisconsin | 49ers | CB | $112.2K |