INDIANAPOLIS — Big Ten alumni commanded the spotlight at the NFL Scouting Combine last week, whether it was presumptive No. 1 pick Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s poise during interviews, Ohio State linebackers Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese’s performances during individual drills or Iowa lineman Gennings Dunker’s red mullet soaking up social media bandwidth.

The Big Ten’s teams have won three consecutive College Football Playoff championships and, in just the last two years, combined for 22 postseason victories. Like NFL fans wanting to know what’s next in the draft, Big Ten fans have plenty of questions about the future in the wake of so many high-profile departures.

Throughout the combine, The Athletic and other reporters asked several former Big Ten players about the future NFL prospects still in school and ready to make their mark on college football this fall. Below is a sampling of what the players said, broken down by position group.

Quarterbacks

The Big Ten returns the three quarterbacks who earned all-league honors behind Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner. Ohio State’s Julian Sayin was a Heisman finalist and second-team All-Big Ten, while Oregon’s Dante Moore and USC’s Jayden Maiava split third-team honors.

Sayin, who enters his sophomore season, completed 77 percent of his passes last fall — just shy of the Football Bowl Subdivision record set by Oregon’s Bo Nix in 2023 — on his way to 3,610 yards and 32 touchdown passes.

“Playing with Julian was a blessing,” Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate said. “The man’s extremely accurate and extremely smart. He’s able to put the ball where no other quarterback can.”

Moore, who will be a junior, flirted with entering the NFL Draft and likely would have been a top-five selection. He was considered a Heisman frontrunner through the season’s midpoint, and his statistics (3,565 passing yards, 30 touchdowns) tell only part of the story for Oregon’s CFP semifinal team, guard Emmanuel Pregnon said.

“He really tries to bring everybody together,” Pregnon said. “He wants everybody to have a voice.”

Running backs

Three running backs return after receiving second-team all-Big Ten honors either from coaches or media: Rutgers’ Antwan Raymond (1,241 rushing yards), Ohio State’s Bo Jackson (1,090) and Michigan’s Jordan Marshall (932).

Penn State defensive tackle Zane Durant was bullish on his former teammates Quinton Martin Jr. and especially Cam Wallace, who entered the portal briefly but later withdrew. Wallace has played in only seven games while behind the tandem of Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton, but Durant is sold on Wallace’s ability.

“He’s a guy that’s mentally tough,” Durant said. “He’s been hit with a lot of adversity throughout his career. He always just kept his head down, kept working. I think with the mindset that he has and how much he works, it’ll be a great year for him.

“He flashed a lot last year, got hurt, but I think this year he’ll turn it on for us.”

As a freshman, Indiana’s Khobie Martin rushed for 505 yards and six touchdowns behind Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black. Wide receiver Elijah Sarratt expects Martin to flourish in a premier role this fall.

“My guy Khobie Martin,” Sarratt said, “I can’t wait to see him at Indiana this next year. He’s gonna be great.”

Receivers

Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, a unanimous first-team All-American, has to wait one more season before he can enter the draft, but it’s well-known that he’s the top 2027 prospect at his position.

In both years, he put up huge numbers alongside future NFL first-round picks: In 2024, it was Emeka Egbuka, now with the Buccaneers, and his 2025 running mate, Tate, is widely expected to go Round 1 this spring. But at 6 feet 3 inches and 223 pounds, Smith attracted more attention from defenses than his older teammates. He was the most difficult matchup in the sport.

“We knew what type of player he was going to be,” said Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, who played high school football with Smith in Miami, Fla. “Usually, guys that big are going to be slower. He’s a guy that’s big and fast and physical. When he’s got those three things, it kind of makes him hard to guard.”

Other decorated returnees include Rutgers’ KJ Duff (second team) and Northwestern’s Griffin Wilde (third team). No All-Big Ten tight ends return, although Iowa’s D.J. Vonnahme was a freshman first-team All-American. Oregon tight end and likely first-rounder Kenyon Sadiq vouched for his former teammate Jamari Johnson as a player to watch at his position. Johnson caught 32 passes for 510 yards and three touchdowns while working alongside Sadiq.

“We just complemented each other really well,” Sadiq said. “Whether it was in pass game or the run game, it was super awesome to get to play with him.”

Offensive line

It was a modest surprise that Indiana left tackle Carter Smith, a consensus first-team All-American and the Big Ten offensive lineman of the year, returned to school for one more year. Smith highlights the returnees, but several others drew conversation during combine week.

Iowa won the Joe Moore Award as the nation’s top offensive line, while Oregon and Indiana were finalists. The Hawkeyes and Ducks both have returnees who should join Smith as preseason All-Americans, according to their former teammates.

Oregon center Iapani “Poncho” Laloulu was a first-team All-American and second-team All-Big Ten last year. Pregnon, who transferred from USC last year, said that when he needed help from Laloulu, “It was like asking a computer a question.”

“He’s very vigilant at the point of attack,” Pregnon said. “He would always communicate with us. He’s a violent football player, and I feel like he really has all the aspects that make him a great football player.”

Oregon guard Dave Iuli was a third-team selection, as were Iowa guard Kade Pieper and left tackle Trevor Lauck, both of whom earned compliments from former Iowa center Logan Jones in Indianapolis.

“(Lauck is) just very raw and talented and efficient with his movements,” Jones said. “Sometimes he’ll kind of throw in his own little swag in there in the way he plays, but he gets things done. He’s very good in pass pro. He kind of makes the game look simple.”

Pieper might have the most potential among Iowa’s 2025 starting offensive linemen, which is a testament to his growth. Pieper initially committed to North Dakota State to play defensive line, but he flipped to Iowa to play guard. This year, he’s likely to compete for Jones’ former role.

“The talent is there, and I’m very excited to see whether he’s at center or guard,” Jones said. “Wherever (Pieper is) at, he’s gonna be very successful.”

Ohio State brings back four offensive linemen who earned either second- or third-team All-Big Ten honors in center Carson Hinzman, guard Luke Montgomery and tackles Austin Siereveld and Phillip Daniels.

Defensive line

Another year, another group of high-level Ohio State defensive linemen in the draft. Unlike last year, when all four starters were picked, this year the Buckeyes only sent two D-line starters to the combine. Both were high on defensive end Kenyatta Jackson.

Former Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald tapped Jackson and defensive end Eddrick Houston for possible breakout seasons. Jackson, who had 6.5 sacks, could have become a draft pick this spring but instead chose to return.

“He definitely sacrificed for himself and did the betterment of what he needed to do to stay at Ohio State,” former Buckeyes defensive end Caden Curry said. “I believe that’s going to benefit him more than we know. Kenyatta’s been one of those guys who has always had it, and he’ll definitely show it off next year.

“Kenyatta is the type of guy that really owns the offensive line. He just plays at such a high level. He’s definitely a pro prospect. He could be standing next to me today.”

Minnesota defensive end Anthony Smith, who was a first-team All-Big Ten selection, surprised some by announcing his return following the Gophers’ bowl appearance. Smith led the Big Ten with 12.5 sacks and was second with 17.5 tackles for loss.

“Anthony’s a great player,” Minnesota defensive tackle Deven Eastern said. “I fully agree with his decision. He’s gonna work another year in college. He’s gonna get bigger, faster and stronger, and that dude’s gonna come out swinging this next season.”

Indiana brings back first-team defensive tackle Tyrique Tucker, while Oregon returns all four starters up front, including three (Bear Alexander, Teitum Tuioti, A’Mauri Washington) that earned either second- or third-team All-Big Ten accolades.

Linebackers

The conference is seeing heavy turnover at linebacker, with Reese and Styles projected as possible top-10 selections and heart-and-soul defenders like Indiana’s Aiden Fisher, Oregon’s Bryce Boettcher and Michigan’s Jimmy Rolder entering the draft.

Fisher is confident that second-team All-Big Ten linebacker Rolijah Hardy and third-team selection Isaiah Jones will maintain the Hoosiers’ elite defense. Hardy led Indiana with 102 tackles, while Jones (78 tackles) scored on a blocked punt in the CFP title game.

“(They’re) two phenomenal football players that are going to take a huge step, and they’re going to be really good football players; they already are,” Fisher said. “So, I’m expecting huge stuff from them when the draft rolls around.”

Michigan has some questions with former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham replacing Sherrone Moore, but Rolder likes a few of his younger holdovers.

“I know we got some transfers, but I think if Troy Bowles gets the playing time, I think he could be here next year,” Rolder said. “There’s some great young guys. Troy could be the guy, Chase Taylor, I love those guys.”

Boettcher led the Big Ten with 136 tackles and leaves a void, but said, “You’ve got two good ones out there with Devon Jackson and Jerry Mixon.”

“I’d say it’s a pretty open room right now,” Boettcher said. “I’m not going to give one guy the credit, because I know they’re always competing out there. And when I was there every year, even if I was a starter, there were young guys that are pushing me to get better.”

Iowa’s run of first-team All-American middle linebackers ended last year, but Karson Sharar said there are some candidates capable of elevating the unit again.

“Jayden Montgomery did a great job filling in last year,” Sharar said. “I’m really eager to see what they can do this year.”

Wisconsin’s Mason Posa, who recorded 50 tackles over the last five games of the season, was a third-team All-Big Ten selection and a freshman All-American last year.

Defensive backs

Every 2025 first-team All-Big Ten defensive back is out of eligibility, but eight different players with either second-team or third-team honors come back. Oregon cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. was a freshman All-American after intercepting three passes, including returning one 35 yards for a touchdown against Indiana.

“Probably a top-10 pick, honestly,” former Oregon cornerback Jadon Canady said. “A kid that works hard, comes in early, stays late, loves football. He doesn’t cheat the game or whatnot. Smart, and likes to learn.”

Iowa defensive back Zach Lutmer, who was second-team All-Big Ten, has drawn favorable comparisons to former teammate Cooper DeJean. Lutmer intercepted three passes and returned one for a score while also collecting 71 tackles.

“He can do everything,” former Iowa cornerback T.J. Hall said. “He can line up in the slot, line up at corner, line up at safety. He can cover well. He can hit well, set the edge. There’s really nothing Lut can’t do.”

Ohio State and Iowa perennially lead the Big Ten in all-conference selections at defensive back, and the Buckeyes have decorated returnees in safety Jaylen McClain and cornerback Jermaine Mathews, both of whom were third-team selections last season. McClain finished with 53 tackles and broke up three passes last year alongside two-time first-team All-American safety Caleb Downs.

“You’re gonna see him take a big step this year,” Downs said. “He had to play around me and defer a lot to me this year, but this next season he’s gonna step out of his shell, be a leader on the team.”

Matthews grew significantly last year with two interceptions, three pass breakups, a sack and 26 tackles.

“I expect him to have a breakout year,” former Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun said.