This weekend was one of the most successful in the history of Northwestern football in terms of getting guys to the NFL. Three Wildcats were drafted, including two in the first round for the first time in history, while seven more Wildcats signed contracts as undrafted free agents.
Here’s a look at each of them.
OL Rashawn Slater
Slater was drafted No. 13 overall by the Los Angeles Chargers, the highest first-rounder for Northwestern since 1983.
He will likely slot in as the starting left tackle and protect rookie of the year Justin Herbert's blindside. He will also join fellow Northwestern legends Justin Jackson and Joe Gaziano with the Chargers.
CB Greg Newsome II
Newsome II went No. 26 overall to the Cleveland Browns, giving the Wildcats two first round picks for the first time ever.
He will join former Wildcat Anthony Walker Jr. on a young Browns defense that is looking to build on the franchise's first playoff appearance in 18 years.
DL Earnest Brown IV
Brown IV was the third and final Wildcat off the board, selected 174th overall by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round.
He figures to be a rotational defensive lineman for the Rams while getting a chance to learn from arguably the best player in the league, Aaron Donald.
S JR Pace II
Pace II is going home. The College Park, Ga., native signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent.
Pace II was a three-year starter for the Wildcats, but will likely have to show special teams ability to make the Falcons' roster.
TE/FB John Raine
Raine gave a tremendous boost to NU's offense during his one year in Evanston. He will now be making his way down to the Peach State, joining Pace II with the Falcons as a UDFA.
Raine played tight end in Evanston, but will likely move to more of a fullback role in the NFL. If he can show blocking and special teams ability in training camp, he has a shot to make the roster.
OL Gunnar Vogel
Vogel is staying in the Chicago area as he agreed to a UDFA contract with the Chicago Bears.
Counting their two draft picks, the Bears have nine offensive linemen under contract for the 2021 season, so Vogel faces an uphill battle to make the roster.
WR Riley Lees
Lees signed a UDFA contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The slot receiver and return man will fight for a roster spot to help Joe Burrow on a rebuilding Bengals team, where his special teams history will help his cause.
LB Paddy Fisher
College football's active leader in tackles in 2020 couldn't overcome concerns about his speed and crack the 259 picks in the draft.
Fisher does, however, bring four years of strong film to Carolina, where he gets to work with Matt Rhule, the coach who worked with him first hand at the Senior Bowl.
LB Blake Gallagher
Gallagher is returning to the East Coast, as the Massachusetts native signed with the Baltimore Ravens to provide depth at linebacker as a UDFA.
The Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is a former special teams coordinator, so if Gallagher can carve out a role in the third phase, he has a chance to make the roster.
QB Peyton Ramsey
The grad transfer and leader of Northwestern's offense is reuniting with the leader of Northwestern's defense in Carolina.
While his arm won’t blow anyone away, Ramsey's extensive experience, ability to read defenses and winning history could land him on the practice squad as a high-level emergency quarterback.