Is Northwestern the new powerhouse in the Big Ten? Thursday's NFL draft results suggest as much.
The Wildcats were one of two Big Ten program to produce a pair of first-round picks, with offensive lineman Rashawn Slater going No. 13 to the Chargers before the Browns selected cornerback Greg Newsome II with the No. 26 pick. Perhaps Ohio State has more competition than it originally assumed in the heartland.
Thursday's selections were certainly a rarity for the Wildcats. Northwestern had never previously produced more than one first-rounder in a single draft, and the program's last first-round pick came with the selection of defensive tackle Luis Castillo in 2005.