For any college football player, the ultimate achievement is to get signed by an NFL team. A school-record eight players were signed as free agents by NFL teams. The following is a summary of how the seven seniors have fared in the NFL as well as a list of prominent Huskies in the pros. The list excludes Cleveland Browns wide receiver Frisman Jackson, who graduated from Western Illinois after playing for NIU.

Brian Atkinson, Linebacker

NFL Status: Released by Tennessee Titans Sept. 3.

Year Drafted/signed: Signed as free agent by Titans April 25.

NIU History: 2001-2004: Started 37 of 45 games. Three-time All-MAC selection. No. 12 in NIU history with 346 tackles. Led team in 2004 with 121 tackles along with five sacks and 13 tackles for loss.

Brad Cieslak, Tight End

NFL Status: Buffalo Bills, practice squad

Year Drafted/signed: Signed as free agent by Bills April 29.

NIU History: 2002-2004: Started 32 games with 47 receptions for 531 yards and five touchdowns. First-team All-MAC in 2004. Finished second on team with 31 catches for 384 yards and three touchdowns.

Josh Haldi, Quarterback

NFL Status: Released by Cincinnati Bengals June 29.

Year Drafted/signed: Signed as free agent by Bengals April 25.

NIU History: 2001-2004: Best starting-quarterback record in NIU history at 25-8. Finished No. 2 in career passing touchdowns (55) and total touchdowns (61), and No. 3 in career completions (427), career attempts (776) and career passing yards (6,015). Career touchdown-to-interception ratio of 55-19.

Rob Lee, Cornerback

NFL Status: Buffalo Bills, practice squad

Year Drafted/signed: Signed as free agent April 29.

NIU History: 2001-2004: Started 21 of 37 games with six interceptions, 17 deflections and 119 tackles. Career-best five interceptions and eight deflections in 2003.

Matt McGhghy, Guard

NFL Status: Released by Chicago Bears August 1.

Year Drafted/signed: Signed as free agent with Bears April 25.

NIU History: 2000-2004: Started 25 of 31 games while helping block for three 1,000-yard rushers, including Thomas Hammock, Michael Turner and Garrett Wolfe.

Dan Sheldon, Wide Receiver

NFL Status: Arizona Cardinals, practice squad

Year Drafted/signed: Signed as free agent April 25.

NIU History: 2001-2004: Second all-time in MAC punt-return yards with 1,021 yards and four touchdowns. Led the nation in punt returns with a 22.7-yard average as sophomore. Led NIU as senior in 2004 with 40 catches for 936 yards and nine touchdowns.

Jake VerStraete, Offensive Tackle

NFL Status: Released by Pittsburgh Steelers August 29.

Year Drafted/signed: Signed as free agent by Steelers April 25.

NIU History: 2000-2004: Started 40 of 43 games while helping block for three 1,000-yard rushers. Two-time First-Team All-MAC in 2003-04.

FORMER HUSKIES

IN THE NFL

Ryan Diem, Offensive Tackle

NFL Status: Starter at right tackle for the Indianapolis Colts.

Year Drafted/signed: Drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in fourth round of 2001 Draft, 118th overall.

NFL Statistics: Helped set franchise records for offense last season in net yards, points scored, touchdowns and first downs. Offense has generated more than 5,000 net yards each of the last four seasons.

NIU History: 1997-2000: Two-time captain. No sacks allowed in final two seasons. NIU offense ranked No. 12 in nation in scoring (37.2 points per game) and rushing (228.1 yard per game) in 2000.

Chris Finlen, Quarterback

NFL Status: Second-string quarterback in NFL Europe for the Berlin Thunder, which is affiliated with the New Orleans Saints.

Year Drafted/signed: Signed as free agent by the New York Jets in 2003.

NIU History: 1997-2001: NIU career leader in pass attempts (910). Second in completions (502) and passing yards (6,551).

P.J. Fleck, Wide Receiver

NFL Status: San Francisco 49ers, injured reserve

Year Drafted/signed: Signed as free agent by San Francisco 49ers in 2003.

NIU History: 1999-2003: Third in NIU history in receptions (179) and receiving yards (2,162). Set single-season reception mark with 77 catches as senior for 1,028 yards and six touchdowns.

Justin McCareins, Wide Receiver

NFL Status: Starting wide receiver for the New York Jets.

Year Drafted/signed: Drafted by the Tennessee Titans in fourth round of 2001 Draft, 121st overall.

NFL Statistics: Led New York Jets in 2004 with 56 catches for 770 yards and four touchdowns. Has 134 career catches for 2,114 yards and 13 touchdowns.

NIU History: 1997-2000: Started in 44 games and as a four-year starter set NIU records in receptions (204), receiving yards (2,991) and receiving touchdowns (29). Had 100 yards receiving in 13 games.

Hollis Thomas, Defensive Tackle

NFL Status: Full-time starter at defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles

Year Drafted/signed: Signed as free agent by Eagles in 1996.

NFL Statistics: Has played in 113 games while registering 263 tackles and 13.5 sacks.

NIU History: 1993-1995: Finished with 202 tackles and 31 tackles for loss. Team captain as senior in 1995.

Michael Turner, Running Back

NFL Status: Second-string running back for the San Diego Chargers

Year Drafted/signed: Drafted by the San Diego Chargers in fifth Round of 2004 Draft, 154th overall.

NFL Statistics: In two seasons has totaled 129 yards rushing on 30 carries and four receptions for eight yards.

NIU History: 2000-2003: Ranks No. 13 in NCAA history with 4,941 yards rushing. Holds NIU records in rushing yards, touchdowns (43) and 100-yard games (21). Second-team All-American as senior in 2003.