It was better late than never for Northwestern in the NFL Draft on Saturday.

Deep into the seventh round, two former Wildcats were selected within two picks of each other with superback Drake Dunsmore going off the board to Tampa Bay at No. 233 and wideout Jeremy Ebert going to New England at No. 235.

“We are thrilled for both Jeremy and Drake, two guys who put everything they had into their Northwestern careers and into preparing as best as they could for the NFL Draft,” coach Pat Fitzgerald said in a statement. “To get that phone call is something neither one of them will ever forget. The entire Northwestern Football family wishes them all the success in the world moving forward.”

Dunsmore is projected to move to fullback at the professional level and will join a Buccaneers team that is coming off a 4-12 season. Ebert on the other hand is going to one of the most successful organizations in the last 10 years with the defending AFC champion Patriots. Ebert will likely line up in the slot for New England, complementing Wes Welker who has had injury issues in the last couple of seasons.

The pair were the Cats two leading receivers last season with Ebert going over the 1000 yard mark for the first time in his career. Dunsmore has made 40 or more catches in each of the last three seasons, catching a career-high six touchdowns in 2011. Ebert had a career-best 208 receiving yards against Rice on Nov. 12.

Two of NU’s undrafted free agents got some news Saturday as well. Offensive tackle Al Netter tweeted he would become a part of the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Tribune is reporting quarterback Dan Persa will work out for Tampa Bay next week.