One year ago, head coach David Braun vowed that the Wildcats would be well-represented at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. He got his wish on Wednesday:
For the first time since 2023, Northwestern will be represented at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The annual event, in which collegiate players undergo drills in front of and complete interviews with NFL scouts, has lacked any Wildcats over the last two years. Northwestern is set to make its triumphant return to Indianapolis, Indiana, with a trio of competing athletes.
On Wednesday morning, the NFL Scouting Combine announced its list of 319 prospects that have been invited to attend the event. Among them are three senior Wildcats: left tackle Caleb Tiernan, right guard Evan Beerntsen and edge rusher Aidan Hubbard.
Tiernan is the highest-regarded prospect on the 'Cats after emerging as one of the best offensive linemen in the Big Ten. The Livonia, Michigan, native committed to Northwestern as a four-star recruit and started early on in his career opposite future Tennessee Titans first-rounder Peter Skoronski.
The 6-foot-7, 325-pound giant initially struggled at right tackle, but after Skoronski declared for the NFL Draft, Tiernan came into his own as the Wildcats' new blindside protector.
Tiernan started 38 games over his final three seasons, two of which culminated in bowl game victories. Northwestern's starting left tackle earned an 88.9 pass blocking grade as a junior and an 84.3 grade as a senior from Pro Football Focus, ranking second and third in the Big Ten, respectively. He was honored as a member of the All-Big Ten Second Team.
Nov 22, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Joseph Himon II (6) celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan (72) against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn ImagesBeerntsen spent just one year with the Wildcats, but he immediately slotted in at right guard for Northwestern. Following a prestigious career at South Dakota State in which he won two FCS National Championships and was a Second Team All-American, Beerntsen started all 13 games for the 'Cats as a major part of NU's revamped offensive line.
The All-Big Ten Honorable Mention's PFF grade of 80.2 ranked 11th in the nation for guards and fourth in the Big Ten this season.
Hubbard was often the unsung hero of Northwestern's defensive front. Anto Saka garnered much of the attention as the edge rusher on the opposite side, but Hubbard stuffed the stat sheet during his four non-redshirt seasons in Evanston.
The Cleveland, Ohio, native played 46 of a possible 50 games from 2022 to 2025, in which he compiled 105 total tackles, 26.5 tackles-for-loss and 20.5 sacks. Hubbard's most successful season came this past fall, when he logged a career-high 10 tackles-for-loss and 7.5 sacks in 11 games.
Tiernan is most likely to hear his name called in the middle rounds of April's NFL Draft, while Beerntsen and Hubbard will look to sneak into a late-round selection with strong performances at the Combine and Northwestern's Pro Day.
Northwestern hasn't had a player attend the NFL Scouting Combine or be drafted since 2023, when four 'Cats received the honors. Tennessee picked Skoronski with the No. 11 overall selection to make him the highest-drafted Wildcat in 40 years. The Indianapolis Colts took defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore in the fourth round, while cornerback Cameron Mitchell (Cleveland Browns) and running back Evan Hull (Colts) went one round later.
The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine will be held from Feb. 23 to Mar. 2 in Indianapolis.