Northwestern in the NFL: Training Camp Days

Football continues to get closer and closer. That’s true for Northwestern, which started its preseason camp today. It’s also true for several NU graduates who are looking to make an impact with an NFL franchise this fall.

A couple weeks ago, we gave you a full update on every former Wildcat participating in an NFL Training Camp this year. This won’t be quite the same. But over the past week and a half, enough former Northwestern players have been discussed or featured that it’s worth another update. Let’s get to it.

Brian Peters, LB, Houston Texans - This is the only part of this update that looks at someone who didn’t graduate in the last two years. Peters, a strong contributor on special teams for two straight seasons with the Texans, had his football journey displayed by the franchise on social media. It’s worth a watch if you haven’t seen it.

Of course, Fitz hasn’t forgotten about Peters.

Austin Carr, WR, New England Patriots - One of the biggest and best stories of the 2016 college football season, Carr’s name hasn’t disappeared this summer as he fights for a roster spot with the defending Super Bowl champs. The Boston Globe recently ran a cool feature on Carr, which you can read here. It’s going to be an uphill battle for Carr to make the 53-man roster, but he has been generating some positive buzz with his performances in camp. Must be all that grit.

The biggest thing Carr has going against him is simply a lack of elite athleticism and speed.

Even if Carr doesn’t make the Week 1 roster, he’ll likely stick around with the practice squad or be claimed by another team on waivers.

Trevor Siemian, QB, Denver Broncos - Oh yes, we’ve got another season of following Trevor Siemian, starting NFL quarterback. Well, hopefully. Per just about every report, Touchdown Trev is handily winning the quarterback competition against Paxton Lynch this summer.

Oh, and this is important. You need to see this.

SO. MUCH. SWAGGER. Trevor knows he’s winning this job.

Anthony Walker Jr., LB, Indianapolis Colts - Hey, another late round pick with a chance to play right away as a rookie. It’s almost like these guys should’ve been drafted a bit higher! Walker has a great situation in Indy, entering a team without much proven depth at linebacker, and he’s apparently been practicing with the second team of late.

In the NFL, that means you’re going to see the field.

Joe Jones, LB, Dallas Cowboys - Jones, an undrafted free agent like Carr, also has a tough task ahead of him in trying to make the roster of a playoff team. Still, he’s taking every chance he get to make an impression, including a strong performance in the first preseason game of the year. Jones led the Cowboys with 9 tackles, 8 of them solo, in a 20-18 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game. He should receive further playing time in the Cowboys’ remaining preseason games to make a push for a roster or practice squad spot.

Dean Lowry, DE, Green Bay Packers - Lowry saw the field sporadically as a rookie last season, but is looking for an expanded role in 2017, perhaps as a starter. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy has liked what he’s seen from Lowry this offseason.

Furthermore, many writers covering the Packers have noted that Lowry’s play has stood out in recent practices.