Former Northwestern defensive tackle Luis Castillo was selected by the San Diego Chargers with the 28th pick in the NFL Draft on Saturday, becoming the first ex-NU player to be taken in the first round since 2002.
Offensive tackle Trai Essex and running back Noah Herron also were drafted, both by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Essex was taken in the third round and Herron in the seventh. Six other former Wildcats signed with teams Sunday.
The Chargers took Castillo despite his admission that he took steroids before the NFL combine in February. Castillo sent a letter to all 32 NFL teams saying he took steroids to overcome an elbow injury he suffered during his senior year.
Castillo called it a one-time occurrence and said before the draft that he is willing to put a clause in his contract under which he would give back any signing bonus money if he tested positive for steroids while in the NFL.
“Obviously the contract hasn’t been written up yet,” Castillo said. “But it’s definitely a possibility. We just wanted teams to feel better (about drafting me).”
A 2004 Pro Football Weekly All-American, Castillo will join a Chargers team that won the AFC West division last year with a 12-4 record. Because the Chargers have 2004 Pro Bowl alternate Jamal Williams at nose tackle, Castillo said he expects to learn all three defensive line positions in San Diego’s 3-4 defense that ranked third in the league in rushing defense last year.
Castillo is NU’s first first-rounder since linebacker Napoleon Harris was taken by the Oakland Raiders with the 23rd pick three years ago. Castillo is only the third NU first-rounder since 1983.
Essex was the Cats’ other first-day pick, taken 93rd overall.
The former left tackle was projected by most as a late-round pick or undrafted free-agent.
“I’m ecstatic,” said Essex, who said Pittsburgh became his favorite team when he played the video game Tecmo Super Bowl as a child. “I can’t imagine a better situation for me. They’re my childhood favorite team, and to have the opportunity to block for the likes of (running back) Jerome Bettis — it’s a dream come true.”
Essex joins an offensive line in Pittsburgh that includes Pro Bowlers Alan Faneca and Jeff Hartings. But the team lost two starters from the 2004 squad, so Essex likely will compete for one of those two spots, playing either tackle or guard.
Herron went 244th overall, a couple of rounds later than he said he expected. However, Herron said he is happy to be heading to the NFL with a familiar face.
“We’re at such a big transition and crossroads in our lives,” he said. “It’s great to be able to go through that with somebody that you know.”
Herron enters a backfield that finished second in the NFL in rushing behind the efforts of Bettis and Duce Staley.
The former NU player could be a third-down back and a receiving threat if he makes the Steelers’ roster.
Former NU guards and possible late-round picks Ikechuku Ndukwe and Matt Ulrich each signed with teams shortly after the draft ended. Ndukwe signed a three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints and Ulrich a two-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts.
Linebacker John Pickens joined the New York Jets, defensive back Marvin Ward signed a two-year deal with the Buffalo Bills, safety Dominique Price signed with the Dallas Cowboys and defensive lineman Colby Clark inked a one-year deal with the St. Louis Rams.
Reach Patrick Dorsey at [email protected].
