Three former NIU football players have been reunited in the NFL.

Quarterback Chris Finlen and wide receivers Justin McCareins and Jon Pendergrass were picked up by the New York Jets within the past month.

McCareins and Finlen played together from 1997-2000 while Pendergrass was a Huskie from 1999-2000.

Pendergrass was waived by the Seattle Seahawks in late February before being claimed by the Jets.

McCareins was traded from the Tennessee Titans to the Jets for a second-round draft pick on March 10.

McCareins was drafted in the fourth round with the 124th overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, where he played with former NIU wide receiver Darrell Hill.

Last season, McCareins had career highs with 47 catches, 813 yards and seven touchdowns.

Since joining the team three years ago, McCareins’ numbers have risen each year. The Naperville native caught three passes as a rookie in 2001 and 19 in 2002, before his 47-catch season last year.

McCareins also returned 30 kickoffs for a 20.9-yard average; 37 punts for an average of 10.9 yards and a touchdown; and had 19 tackles on special teams.

While at NIU, McCareins caught 204 passes for 2,991 yards and 29 touchdowns, all NIU records.

New York Jets General Manager Terry Bradway called McCareins their No. 1 consideration at wide receiver when McCareins was introduced at a press conference March 10.

“I feel one of my biggest strengths is that I’m pretty versatile as a player and I can do a lot of things,” McCareins said in a press release. “You know, I’m not afraid to go up the middle. I’m not afraid, you know, to catch those intermediate routes. I can go deep. I love doing it all. Whatever they ask me to do is whatever I’m doing. I’m going to definitely work hard the entire game.”

Finlen has been out of football since last summer when he was released by the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe. Finlen was sent to Barcelona after signing a free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints on Jan. 22, 2003.

Before the season started, Finlen dislocated his left shoulder while practicing on the scout team kickoff unit. He then underwent surgery before being released.

Finlen is the No. 4 quarterback behind Chad Pennington, Vinny Testaverde and rookie Brooks Bollinger on the Jets’ quarterback depth chart in 2004.

“A year ago, I was just happy to go to New Orleans,” Finlen said. “I got my foot in the door. With New York, I really think I can get a legitimate look. It’s probably the best situation for me. I’m happy for this opportunity.”

Finlen said some teams keep four quarterbacks and put one on the practice team.

Finlen didn’t receive any Division I scholarship offers coming out of high school but came to NIU as a walk-on and eventually won a scholarship.

While at NIU, he became the first three-time captain in NIU football history. He was the first Huskie to throw for 1,000 yards in four seasons.

Finlen finished his career with 6,551 yards on 502-of-910 passes and 41 touchdowns during 1997-2001.

In his final year with NIU, the Rockton native led the Huskies to a share of the MAC West Division title.

Pendergrass transferred to Southern Illinois University before his senior year in 2001 because he was worried about playing time.

At SIU, the safety/linebacker totaled 43 tackles, two tackles for losses, one sack and one blocked punt.

He was listed as a wide receiver for the Seahawks but is expected to play defensive back for the Jets.