Players from current FCS schools have been drafted into the NFL since the first time the league held one — 1936. That year, Ed Michaels of Villanova was drafted in the second round by the Chicago Bears, while 
Columbia, Fordham, Princeton, Colgate, Yale and Holy Cross also had players taken. Granted, college football has changed a ton in the 81 years since that first draft — with the inception of FCS/I-AA football coming in 1978. But the message remains the same — current FCS programs have been producing NFL-level talent for more than eight decades.
Today, we take a look at the Missouri Valley Football Conference and its current programs — and the all-time top 25 NFL picks from these schools. Southern Illinois leads the way with 8 of these 25 players, while North Dakota State boasts 6 of them, along with the highest pick ever — quarterback Carson Wentz at No. 2 overall in 2016.
Take a look at the top 25 NFL Draft Picks of all time from the Valley. Think you knew them all?
NOTE: AFL Draft picks from the 1960s are included, and noted … since this league eventually merged with the NFL. Some prospects were drafted by both leagues.
| RK | PLAYER | SCHOOL | POS | PICK | RD | YR? | PICKED BY | YRS | NOTEWORTHY |
| 1 | Carson Wentz | NORTH DAKOTA STATE | QB | 2 | 1st | 2016 | Philadelphia | 1 | 3,782 pass yards as a rookie |
| 2 | Lionel Antoine | SOUTHERN ILLINOIS | T | 3 | 1st | 1972 | Chicago | 6 | 6-year career for Bears |
| 3 | Leroy Jackson | WESTERN ILLINOIS | HB | 11 | 1st | 1962 | Cleveland | 2 | 395 total yards in 2 seasons |
| 4 | Lynn Boden | SOUTH DAKOTA STATE | OL | 13 | 1st | 1975 | Detroit | 5 | Started 49 games in 5 seasons |
| 5 | Terry Taylor | SOUTHERN ILLINOIS | DB | 22 | 1st | 1984 | Seattle | 12 | 25 career INTs in 12 seasons |
| 6 | Sam Holden | SOUTHERN ILLINOIS | T | 31 | 2nd | 1971 | New Orleans | 1 | Also played CFB at Grambling |
| 7 | Ernie Wheeler | NORTH DAKOTA STATE | DB-TB | 32 | 5th | 1939 | Pittsburgh | 2 | Played in '39 and '42 seasons |
| 8 | Steve Nelson | NORTH DAKOTA STATE | LB | 34 | 2nd | 1974 | New England | 14 | Three-time Pro Bowler |
| 9 | Ron Jaworski | YOUNGSTOWN STATE | QB | 37 | 2nd | 1974 | L.A. Rams | 15 | Phil. Eagles Hall of Famer |
| 10 | Houston Antwine | SOUTHERN ILLINOIS | DL | 38 | 3rd | 1961 | Detroit | 12 | Opted for AFL; 6-time All-Star |
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Here's a look at Nos. 11 through 25.
| RK | PLAYER | SCHOOL | POS | PICK | RD | YR? | PICKED BY | YRS |
| 11 | Wayne Davis | INDIANA STATE | DB | 39 | 2nd | 1985 | San Diego | 6 |
| 12 | Sam Silas | SOUTHERN ILLINOIS | DT | 46 | 6th | 1963 | Boston (AFL) | 8 |
| 13 | Stacy Robinson | NORTH DAKOTA STATE | WR | 46 | 2nd | 1985 | N.Y. Giants | 6 |
| 14 | Kevin House | SOUTHERN ILLINOIS | WR | 49 | 2nd | 1980 | Tampa Bay | 8 |
| 15 | Phil Hansen | NORTH DAKOTA STATE | DE | 54 | 2nd | 1991 | Buffalo | 11 |
| 16 | Vencie Glenn | INDIANA STATE | DB | 54 | 2nd | 1986 | New England | 10 |
| 17 | Al Jenkins | SOUTHERN ILLINOIS | OL-DL | 55 | 3rd | 1969 | Cleveland | 4 |
| 18 | Adrian White | SOUTHERN ILLINOIS | DB | 55 | 2nd | 1987 | N.Y. Giants | 6 |
| 19 | James Jones | NORTHERN IOWA | DL | 57 | 3rd | 1991 | Cleveland | 10 |
| 20 | Brad Meester | NORTHERN IOWA | OL | 60 | 2nd | 2000 | Jacksonville | 14 |
| 21 | Estus Hood | ILLINOIS STATE | DB | 62 | 3rd | 1978 | Green Bay | 7 |
| 22 | Billy Turner | NORTH DAKOTA STATE | OT | 67 | 3rd | 2014 | Miami | 2 |
| 23 | Steve Heiden | SOUTH DAKOTA STATE | TE | 69 | 3rd | 1999 | San Diego | 11 |
| 24 | Jason Williams | WESTERN ILLINOIS | LB | 69 | 3rd | 2009 | Dallas | 6 |
| 25 | Don Greco | WESTERN ILLINOIS | G | 72 | 3rd | 1982 | Detroit | 4 |
