Two former NIU football stars have made names for themselves in the NFL.

Todd Peat, who was a dominant member of NIU’s offensive line for four years, finished his first season with the St. Louis Cardinals by making Pro Football Weekly’s All-Rookie team.

The 6-foot-2, 305-pound guard earned the honor after replacing injured veteran Joe Bostic in the lineup for the final eight games of this season.

Peat was an 11th-round draft pick by the Cardinals in April after earning Third-Team Associated Press All-American during the 1986 season. He also was an Honorable Mention All-American for his performances in the 1984 and 1985 seasons.

A last-second starter against the Chicago Bears Aug. 31 in a nationally televised exhibition game, Peat lined up across from William Perry and received accolades from the Monday Night Football announcers for his blocking against the Refrigerator.

While Peat gets the individual honors, Clarence Vaughn is going to the Super Bowl with the Washington Redskins.

Chosen by Washington in the eighth round of the NFL draft, the former NIU linebacker made the Redskins squad as a defensive back. Spending much of the year on injured reserve, he made two tackles in five games.

He came off injured reserve in time to play on Washington’s special teams in their 21-17 upset of the Chicago Bears Jan. 10 in the divisional playoffs.

Vaughn then made four tackles, including a sack of Wade Wilson, in the Redskins’ 17-10 NFC Championship Game victory over the Minnesota Vikings Sunday.

As an NIU senior in 1986 he was second on the team with 96 tackles.