Don't tell Illinois and Wisconsin, but Big Ten barely scratched by underclassmen leaving for NFL

Fifty-six underclassmen declared themselves eligible for April's NFL draft. (I swear, one of these years I'll get a college kid who doesn't play football to file such paperwork with the league, just for a good laugh.)

Only seven of those players are from the Big Ten, and a mere three are from the Big 12. (It bears reminding that this fall, the Big Ten will have 12 teams and the Big 12 will have 10. While Louisiana Tech remains in the Western Athletic Conference as Texas Christian moves to the Big East.)

The only two Big Ten teams that are getting hit hard by early exits are Illinois and Wisconsin. The Illini could be losing running back Mikel Leshoure, defensive lineman Corey Liuget and linebacker Martez Wilson. The Badgers lose two stars in running back John Clay and defensive end J.J. Watt.

The league's only other juniors to depart are Iowa safety Tyler Sash and Indiana wide receiver Tandon Doss.

The Big 12 is losing just three players. They are Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert and defensive lineman Aldon Smith, and Texas defensive back Aaron Williams. The state of Oklahoma goes untouched, as does Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State of the Big Ten.

The reloading must take place in the SEC, where 15 underclassmen are among the 56 in the NFL draft pool. Auburn and Alabama lose three each, including the last two Heisman Trophy winners, Alabama running back Mark Ingram and Auburn quarterback Cam Newton.

The ACC has 12 early-entrants, the Pac-10 has 11, and the Big East six.

For the complete list of the 56,

click here.