Quick Dive: From Draft Boards to Dashboards – What the NFL Draft Teaches Us About AI in Higher Education

Tonight, the NFL Draft puts the future of young athletes on display. But behind the scenes? It is all data. In this episode, we break down how AI and predictive modeling shape draft decisions—and why that should matter to anyone working in higher education. Using examples like Fernando Mendoza, we explore how colleges are starting to use similar tools to evaluate students, predict success, and guide decision-making. It is a conversation about potential, bias, and the limits of data. And a reminder that even the smartest systems do not always get it right.