Football
4/23/2026 10:54:00 PM
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PITTSBURGH – The Big 12 Conference had six players taken in Thursday’s first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, led by a trio of selections in the top 10. The six first round picks match the Conference’s high since 2011, alongside the 2023 draft.
Texas Tech’s David Bailey was selected second overall by the New York Jets before Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson went eighth to the New Orleans Saints and Utah’s Spencer Fano was picked ninth by the Cleveland Browns. The three marked the most top-10 picks for the Conference since the 2012 NFL Draft.
Three Big 12 players were selected in a six-pick span near the end of the first round, beginning with ASU’s Max Iheanachor, who the Pittsburgh Steelers picked at 21st. Malachi Lawrence from UCF went to the Dallas Cowboys with the No. 23 pick, and Caleb Lomu was the second Ute selected when the New England Patriots took him with the 28th overall pick.
Pick
Position
Player
School
NFL Team
No. 2
Edge Rusher
David Bailey
Texas Tech
New York Jets
No. 8
Wide Receiver
Jordyn Tyson
Arizona State
New Orleans Saints
No. 9
Offensive Line
Spencer Fano
Utah
Cleveland Browns
No. 21
Offensive Line
Max Iheanachor
Arizona State
Pittsburgh Steelers
No. 23
Edge Rusher
Malachi Lawrence
UCF
Dallas Cowboys
No. 28
Offensive Line
Caleb Lomu
Utah
New England Patriots
The Big 12 will look to add to its NFL Draft total during Friday’s second and third rounds at 6 p.m. CT on ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network.