Previewing Northwestern’s NFL Draft Prospects

There may not be any guys hearing their name called, but we could see some NU names on depth charts soon enough.

It’s finally here. NFL fans around the nation have been waiting for this day since Super Bowl Sunday. We will see a glimpse of next season’s NFL teams — if only for a weekend — starting tonight as the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft gets underway. And while Northwestern may not sport any of the top names being discussed for this year’s draft — or even anyone who could get selected at all — it still presents a few guys who proudly touted the purple and white and could make an impact at their new respective homes, wherever they may be. So, who do ‘Cats fans stay on the lookout for this coming draft and UDFA signing period?

AJ Henning (WR)

First up is far and away Northwestern’s best prospect this year. After spending his first three seasons at Michigan, AJ Henning made an inter-conference move to Northwestern for his final two seasons with the program. Immediately becoming the top guy in the wide receiver room, the Illinois native did not disappoint. While he served as more of a gadget guy his junior season, totaling 45 receptions for 418 yards alongside 27 rushes for 110 yards, Henning converted into a more standardized WR for his final season in Evanston. While he got only five rushes under his belt his senior year, he stepped up as a receiver, catching 59 passes for 603 yards and tacking on four scores.

As a prospect, Henning’s biggest strength is his general athleticism. It was clear just how speedy he was in-game these past two seasons, exploding off the snap and flying all over the field on his routes to give quarterbacks Ben Bryant and Jack Lausch someone to throw to. But he’s clearly been working towards something more this offseason. At Northwestern’s pro day, he set personal records on his vertical jump, broad jump and bench press, while showcasing his versatility at multiple positions. At the NFL level, Henning may have a hard time competing for playing time with other pro receivers, but could easily carve out a role on the special teams end. His experience as punt and kick returner, combined with his lightning-fast speed, should be a catch for any team looking for an upgrade in those spots.

Jaylen Pate (DE)

Another Northwestern transfer with hopes of hearing his phone ring. Jaylen Pate skyrocketed his draft stock the last two seasons after transferring into Northwestern from Wyoming. Pate had a solid first two years with the Cowboys, but struggled to find his role in his first year at NU. His redshirt junior season was when everything turned around. The hometown kid from Chicago had a career year, totaling season highs in total tackles (27), assist tackles (14), sacks (three) and forced fumbles (one). His disruption to the highest degree made him one of Northwestern’s most exciting defensive prospects heading into last fall. Although his numbers weren’t quite as high — 18 total tackles, 13 solo tackles, one pass deflection — Pate was still undoubtedly a key contributor for the Wildcats all season.

Now with five seasons of experience under his belt at the college level, Pate will be turning to the pros and is already making an effort to get himself in better shape to do so. At NU Pro Day, he told reporters he had lost a whopping 22 pounds, dropping from 277 to 255 lbs. “I can definitely tell the difference,” he said. “That allows me to kind of have the burst and explosion… get off the ball and go.” The slimming-down was clear; Pate looked as athletic as ever, marking a 36” vertical jump — which would rank seventh-best among defensive ends at the NFL Combine — and clocking a 4.8-second 40-yard dash.

Xander Mueller (LB)

Last but not least is the heart and soul of Northwestern football, Xander Mueller. One of Northwestern’s captains this past season, Mueller may have had a “down year” as compared to a monstrous junior season, where he totaled 110 tackles, 5 sacks, a forced fumble and three interceptions. The do-it-all linebacker was one of the key pieces who returned from the 2023 season that saw nearly all of Northwestern’s top defensive guys transfer out or graduate. In his senior year, No. 34 was still huge as an off-the-field leader, but also made a significant in-game impact — 57 tackles, four pass deflections, a sack, a forced fumble and an interception in just nine games — despite the defense’s overall struggles. In both seasons, he earned himself All-Big Ten honoree honors.

Mueller felt like he was all over the field at all times this season, making big hits in the gaps and always ranging laterally to hold down the middle of the field. His versatility is the biggest positive in his game and makes him an intriguing prospect to NFL teams looking to take a chance on a LB with potential to bolster depth. That lateral speed was put on a pedestal at Northwestern Pro Day, where Mueller clocked an impressive 6.99 in the three-cone drill — better than any other linebacker at the Combine.