When an NFL team finds a player from a second tier conference team it creates a relationship to look closer. Darden's draft, albeit a 4th round, attracts interest. An offense ranked in the top 10 gives pause to take a look. An OL putting up 200+ yards a game rushing calls for closer examination. People and organizations do business via relationships. Why do UNT coaches have a broad range of relationships with high school coaches. When you recruit from a small Texas HS football program it creates interest.
Darden is the most recent NFL draft. It appears these individual UNT football players are attracting the interest of NFL leams. With that said, if UNT football prorgam and culture (not individual players) were winning championships and bowl games the NFL scouts more than likely will come. "Build it and they will come."
Here is the current UNT players with the NFL.
Nate Brooks, (Reserve), LaDarius Hamilton (Reserve), Jordan Murray (Reserve)
Jalen Guyton (Active), Kemon Hill (Active), Jeffrey Wilson (Active), Jaelon Darden (Active) 2021 4th round
NFL found Darden in 2021, Hamilton in 2020 and Murray in 2019.