(670 The Score) For the first time in program history, Northwestern is poised to have two players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Offensive tackle Rashawn Slater and cornerback Greg Newsome are each projected to be selected in the first round Thursday evening, something that Northwestern is taking great pride in. Coach Pat Fitzgerald believes the two highly rated prospects are proof of progress for the Wildcats' program.
"Absolutely ecstatic," Fitzgerald said on the Mully & Haugh Show on Wednesday. "They put the work in. They dedicated themselves. This is kind of the next step. We've been building this thing I think in a consistent fashion. You got top-10 academics, you got a top-10 football team and now to have two guys drafted in the first round shows to our guys currently on the roster and future recruits: You can have it all here at Northwestern."
The Wildcats last had a first-round pick in 2005, when defensive tackle Luis Castillo was selected 28th overall by the Chargers. Northwestern has had just eight players selected in the first round in program history. Slater and Newsome are each projected as top-20 picks in this class.
After a disappointing 3-9 season in 2019, Northwestern went 7-2 and reached the Big Ten championship game in 2020. They capped the season with a victory over Auburn in the Citrus Bowl.