5 ex-Cats ready for draft day

The 2003 Wildcats had no players selected in the 2004 NFL Draft.

This weekend’s draft, though, might shape up differently for Northwestern.

Defensive tackle Luis Castillo, despite admitting he took steroids before the NFL scouting combine, is a lock to be NU’s first draft pick since center Austin King was taken in the fourth round in 2003. Along with Castillo, several other former NU players will be waiting for a call from one of the NFL’s 32 teams.

Luis Castillo, defensive tackle (6-foot-3, 303 pounds)

2004 stats: 75 tackles, 51 solo, 2 sacks

Castillo could be NU’s third first-round pick since 1983, as many experts say his draft status won’t be affected by the steroid issue.

“He was up front about it,” said Matt Miller, senior columnist for NFLDraftBlitz.com. “It had nothing to do with his performance as a player. And he was such a dominant player this year.”

Ranked as a top-5 defensive tackle on most boards and as high as the top player at his position, Castillo likely will be drafted in the early-to-middle part of the second round, but may move up or down on draft day.

“I’d love to (play) at home,” said Castillo, a New Jersey native. “I’d love to be on a good team. I’d love to be at a place that gives me the chance to start early.

“Wherever I end up, I just have to accept it.”

Noah Herron, running back (5-foot-11, 224 pounds)

2004 stats: 274 carries for 1381 yards, 14 touchdowns

Herron looks like this year’s Jason Wright — a productive college running back who lacks speed.

But while the smaller Wright went undrafted, Herron’s size and catching ability should get him selected.

“He can be a guy you give the ball to around the goal line,” said Miller, who added Herron could be used on third down as a receiver out of the backfield.

Herron is projected to be a mid-to-late-round pick.

“Right now,” Herron said, “I’m just anxious to figure out where I’m going to go, so I can go.”

Trai Essex, offensive tackle (6-foot-4, 324 pounds)

Essex is one of three former starting offensive linemen who will be looking to see their names crawl across the board, possibly on the draft’s second day.

“Trai’s got such great size and he’s a real good athlete,” ESPN recruiting analyst Tom Lemming said. “His quick feet should get him drafted.”

While some project Essex to be an undrafted free agent, Miller said Essex is too intriguing a prospect to pass up.

“He’ll definitely be drafted,” Miller said. “That’s pretty much a sure thing.”

Ikechuku Ndukwe, guard (6-foot-3, 325 pounds)

Ndukwe is on less solid ground heading into draft weekend, as a history of injuries might scare teams away.

“He’s got enormous size,” Lemming said. “He’s very quick in a limited space. He’s more of a power guy than an athlete, but he’s very technically sound.”

Ndukwe, who could be a late-round selection or signed as an undrafted free agent, said he’s “pretty pumped up” about possibly getting drafted.

“(But) until you see your name go across the screen and get that call from the coach,” Ndukwe said, “you never know.”

Matt Ulrich, guard (6-foot-2, 304 pounds)

As is the situation with Ndukwe, Ulrich heads into the weekend with uncertain draft status — a possible late-round pick or free agent signee.

“Whether I get drafted or signed (as a) free agent,” Ulrich said, “I just want to be on a team and get a chance to play.”

Others who are draft eligible include defensive back Marvin Ward, linebacker John Pickens, safety Dominique Price, wide receiver Ashton Aikens, defensive lineman Colby Clark and punter/kicker Brian Huffman.

“It’s hard to say,” Miller said. “You get in the seventh round and every team has a different opinion on some of these guys. There’s no consensus on them.

“There’s always that one player or two that sneak in there.”

Reach Patrick Dorsey at [email protected].

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5 ex-Cats ready for draft day

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Castillo projected

as 1st-day selection

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Please see draft, Page 14

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Draft

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