Who are these ever so special Wildcats?
While the NFL Draft stage will likely not bleed purple and white on Thursday night, the Wildcats have had their share of former first round picks in the NFL Draft. Here are the players hailing from Evanston who heard their names called on night one:
Peter Skoronski, 2023, Round 1, Pick 11, OL
Skoronski is the most recent Wildcat first round pick. In 2022, he was Northwestern’s first ever unanimous All-American and Rimington-Pace Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. He was also a finalist for the 2022 Outland Trophy awarded to the best offensive lineman in the country and a member of the All-Big Ten first team. In the NFL, Skoronski was drafted by the Tennessee Titans and was one of the highest-graded pass blockers among all guards in the 2024 season, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Rashawn Slater, 2021, Round 1, Pick 13, OL
From day one, Rashawn Slater was a huge contributor for the Wildcats. He ended his first season in 2017 as the No. 1 graded freshman offensive lineman in the country by PFF and was a part of the Freshman All-Big Ten team. Slater took off the 2020 COVID season and entered the 2021 NFL Draft where he would be selected by the Los Angeles Chargers. Since entering the league, he has earned Pro Bowl honors twice, including in 2024.
Greg Newsome II, 2021, Round 1, Pick 26, DB
One of the three defensive players that have been taken in the first round out of NU, Newsome had a breakout 2020 season for the ‘Cats as they were ranked at No. 10. He was a consensus All-Big Ten first team selection and declared for the NFL Draft after his star-studded season. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns and has been a contributor for them ever since.
Luis Castillo, 2005, Round 1, Pick 28, DE
Castillo is the lowest of the first round picks in Northwestern’s history, but he is one of three defensive players. In 2004, Castillo was part of the All-Big Ten second team and finished his college career with over 200 total tackles. He was drafted to the San Diego Chargers and had a seven year NFL career with the team.
Napoleon Harris, 2002, Round 1, Pick 23, LB
Harris ended a 19-year drought for Northwestern players being selected in the first round. He was an All-Big Ten team selection as a senior in the 2001 season and ranks 11th all-time among Wildcats in career college tackles with 334. Harris also played basketball for the ‘Cats during his time at NU. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders and played a total of seven seasons across three teams. Since retiring after the 2008 NFL season, Harris has served as a part of the Illinois Senate since 2013.
Chris Hinton, 1983, Round 1, Pick 4, T
Tied for the highest overall pick in Northwestern history, Hinton was well worth the selection in what is sometimes considered the best draft class of all time. In his first two seasons, Hinton played tight end for the ‘Cats before switching to offensive tackle in his junior year. His senior season in 1982 was his best, as he was voted to the All-America first team and the All-Big Ten first team. Hinton was drafted to the Baltimore Colts and played at guard as a rookie. In his second season, the Colts moved to Indianapolis as he was moved to left tackle. Hinton would start at LT for the next six years in Indianapolis before a four year stint with the Atlanta Falcons. He ended his career with a two year stop with the Minnesota Vikings before retiring after the 1995 season. Hinton is one of the most decorated Northwestern NFL player of all time with seven pro bowl appearances and one AP All-Pro first team selection.
Cas Banaszek, 1967, Round 1, Pick 11, T
Banaszek was a two time All-America second team and a two time All-Big Ten second team selection. He also was named to the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame. Banaszek was drafted to the San Francisco 49ers and spent his entire 10-year career in California.
Fate Echols, 1962, Round 1, Pick 6, T
Echols was an All-Big Ten first team selection in 1961 with the Wildcats. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals and played five games his first season before being placed on injured reserve. After the injury, he only appeared in three more games the next season. He was out of the NFL one year later apart from two practice squad appearances. Echols did sign on with the Philadelphia Eagles, but he would not appear in another game.
Ron Burton, 1960, Round 1, Pick 9, RB
Burton was a two time All-Big Ten first team selection. In the first of those seasons, 1958, he was a third-team All-American. In the second, 1959, Burton was a consensus All-American. Burton finished 10th in the 1959 Heisman Trophy voting and led the ‘Cats in all-purpose yards in 1957, 1958 and 1959. Burton is a member of both the Northwestern Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. He was taken in the first round of the 1960 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, but he went on to play in the AFL as the Boston Patriots’ first ever draft choice. Burton had a six-year career with the Patriots in the AFL.
Vic Schwall, 1947, Round 1, Pick 10, RB
Schwall was a member of the All-Big Nine first team in 1946. Yes, All-Big NINE. He was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals and had a four-year NFL career, including an NFL Championship in his rookie season.
HOF Otto Graham, 1944, Round 1, Pick 4, QB
Despite being drafted in 1944 by the Detroit Lions, Graham was concentrating on basketball at Northwestern before becoming the first player signed by the legendary Paul Brown to play for the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). Once Graham decided to join the Browns in 1946, Cleveland went on to win four straight AAFC titles, boasting a 52-4-3 record during that span. In 1950, the Browns joined the NFL and won the NFL Championship Game that same season. Graham led the Browns to a championship game appearance in all of his 10 seasons, which included the four AAFC titles and three NFL championships. He was named first team All-League nine times in his career and earned an NFL Championship Game victory in his last career game. Graham was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965, forever cementing his legacy as perhaps the greatest Wildcat of all time.
Honorable Mention: HOF John (Paddy) Driscoll, 1920, Before the NFL Draft existed, RB/QB
Driscoll played 118 games over 11 NFL seasons before the NFL Draft was a thing. In his career, Driscoll had 18 passing touchdowns, 25 rushing touchdowns, four receiving touchdowns, one punt return touchdown and one kick return touchdown. He was especially skilled in punting and dropkicking, which added to his legacy as one of the most versatile players to suit up in the purple and white. Driscoll, along with Graham, was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 1965.