DeKALB – NIU will host its annual Pro Day on Monday, giving its band of draft-eligible players a chance to showcase their skills in front of an audience of professional scouts.
Players will first undergo testing in the Northwestern Medicine Sports Performance Center – located inside the Yordon Center – before moving into the Chessick Practice Center to take part in drills like the 40-yard dash, broad jump, vertical jump and the three-cone shuttle.
While a handful of Huskies got to make an impression on scouts during postseason all-star games like the Hula Bowl and Tropical Bowl, many others didn’t get that opportunity. None were invited to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine held in Indianapolis earlier this month.
Seventeen NIU players are expected to attend Pro Day:
- RB Antario Brown
- CB JaVaughn Byrd
- TE Chris Carter
- LB Jaden Dolphin
- DT Cade Haberman
- FB Brock Lampe
- OL J.J. Lippe
- WR Andrew McElroy
- DT Devonte O’Malley
- WR Davis Patterson
- DB Jashon Prophete
- WR Kacper Rutkiewicz
- DT Demond Taylor Jr.
- TE Tristen Tewes
- S Nate Valcarcel
- RB Gavin Williams
- OL Logan Zschernitz
Patterson and Rutkiewicz will return to campus one year after finishing their college careers. NIU also invited Eastern Illinois University graduate student quarterback Pierce Holley to participate in its Pro Day. Holley is expected to throw passes to NIU’s running backs and receivers during passing drills.
Statistically, most players won’t have their name called on draft day – only four Huskies have been selected in the past 10 NFL drafts. However, each has an opportunity to prove they can make an impact at the next level. James Ester and DaRon Gilbert, who each participated in last year’s Pro Day, both went undrafted before earning practice squad spots with the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, respectively.
Players are scheduled to arrive at the facility at noon Monday, with testing to begin shortly thereafter. Coverage of Pro Day will be available on the Northern Star website after the event concludes.
