The NFL Draft is upon us, and for the first time in three years, at least one Northwestern Wildcat will hear their name called.

Northwestern has not been represented in the annual event since 2023, when offensive lineman Peter Skoronski (Tennessee Titans) was selected in the first round, defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore (Indianapolis Colts) went in the fourth round and cornerback Cameron Mitchell (Cleveland Browns) and running back Evan Hull (Colts) were both taken in the fifth round.

However, the 2026 NFL Draft looks to be different. Just months after the Wildcats capped off a 7-6 season with a win in the GameAbove Sports Bowl, several Northwestern alumni are projected to receive the prestigious honor of being drafted. Here's everyone's name that Northwestern fans should expect to hear called between Thursday and Saturday:

Redshirt Senior | 6-foot-7, 325 lbs

Tiernan started 38 consecutive games at left tackle to end his career at Northwestern, emerging from an uneven freshman to one of the best offensive linemen in the country. He earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors as a redshirt junior and was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team last fall. Tiernan, a captain during his final season at NU, is widely projected to be a Day 2 draft pick.

Prediction: Round 3

Graduate Student | 6-foot-4, 310 lbs

Beerntsen started all 13 games at right guard in 2025 and earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention recognition. He won two FCS National Championships at South Dakota State before transferring to Northwestern for his seventh season of college football. Although Beerntsen is on the older side for NFL Draft prospects (25 years old), the veteran did not allow a single sack last fall and could be an immediate contributor in the later rounds.

Prediction: Round 6

Redshirt Senior | 6-foot-4, 255 lbs

Hubbard recorded the fifth-most sacks in Northwestern history, capped off by a career-best 2025 season. In 11 games, the fifth-year defender compiled 7.5 sacks and 10 tackles-for-loss to lead the Wildcat defense. Hubbard may find his way into the seventh round, given his productivity at NU.

Prediction: Round 7

Redshirt Senior | 6-foot-4, 300 lbs

Carsello was the Wildcats' backup center until 2024, when he broke out and won the starting job. He was Pro Football Focus' fourth-highest graded center this past senior, but was late to join the draft process as he attempted to earn a waiver to return to Northwestern.

Prediction: Undrafted Free Agent

Redshirt Senior | 6-foot-2, 300 lbs

Bastone came to Northwestern as a preferred walk-on, and he left as a two-time captain. The recipient of the Wildcats' No. 1 jersey is unlikely to hear his name called over the weekend, but he'll certainly earn an opportunity to try out for an NFL team as a UDFA.

Prediction: Undrafted Free Agent