Fewer players from schools outside the Power Four conferences are being selected in the NFL draft, as the gap widens between top athletic programs and smaller schools. The increasing dominance of Power Four programs is making it harder for athletes from smaller colleges to gain visibility and opportunities at the professional level.
This trend is largely driven by the advantages enjoyed by Power Four schools, including stronger Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and greater access to elite talent through the transfer portal. These resources allow Power Four programs to attract and develop high-caliber players, leaving smaller schools with fewer chances to compete for draft consideration.
As a result, NFL teams are increasingly focusing their scouting efforts on Power Four athletes, further consolidating the pipeline from a select group of universities to professional football.