EVANSTON, Ill. – The dream came true on Saturday for defensive end Dean Lowry and superback Dan Vitale, who both heard their names called during the 2016 National Football League Draft, hosted in Chicago.
Lowry was selected in the fourth round, No. 137 overall, by the Green Bay Packers. The pick was announced by Packers Hall of Famer Jerry Kramer.
"He's a blue-collar guy, probably an underrated athlete," Green Bay's director of football operations Eliot Wolf told Packers.com. "He lined up all over the line, outside and inside. Just a solid player."
The Rockford, Illinois, native was a Second Team All-Big Ten honoree in his senior season, piling up 46 tackles, 13.5 for loss, and three sacks, a campaign highlighted by a school-record six tackles-for-loss in Northwestern's win at Nebraska. According to Pro Football Focus, only five edge players in college football produced more hurries than Lowry's 37 during the 2015 season.
"His athleticism and flexibility," Wolf said of what stands out the most about Lowry. "He's built low to the ground and he's a versatile guy who can rush the passer and play the run. Obviously with B.J. (Raji) retiring, we lost some guys up front. It looks like something we addressed as a need, and we've been able to fill it so far."
Vitale was the sixth round selection of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, No. 197 overall. The Wheaton, Illinois, native hauled in 135 catches for 1,427 yards and 11 touchdowns during his Northwestern career. The superback, a member of the All-Big Ten Second Team last season, led the Wildcats in receptions (33), receiving yards (355), and receiving touchdowns (4) as a senior in 2015.
Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter told the Tampa Bay Times that the team plans to use him at fullback and tight end, along with special teams. "Excited to see what he looks like (in practice)," Koetter said.
"I think it's a great fit," Vitale told the team's official website. "I think I'll be able to do a lot for this team, which I'm excited about. That's what I did in college. I played a little bit of slot, a little bit of tight end, a little bit of fullback. I think an H-back is kind of what I'm looking at and I'm excited to contribute."
"He can catch the ball, he's played tight end there," Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht said of Vitale. "He's kind of a hybrid guy and I know he's going to be a really good special teamer and that's hard to find, a fullback that can play special teams."
In addition to the two Northwestern draftees on Saturday, a pair of Wildcats signed free agent contracts with NFL teams. Defensive end Deonte Gibson signed on with the Detroit Lions, and safety Traveon Henry will join Vitale in Tampa Bay. Gibson recorded 9.0 sacks as a senior in 2015, the fourth-best single-season total in Northwestern history. Henry registered 231 tackles and three interceptions in his Wildcats career.
Northwestern opens the 2016 season on Saturday, September 3, when they welcome Western Michigan to Ryan Field.
Lowry was selected in the fourth round, No. 137 overall, by the Green Bay Packers. The pick was announced by Packers Hall of Famer Jerry Kramer.
"He's a blue-collar guy, probably an underrated athlete," Green Bay's director of football operations Eliot Wolf told Packers.com. "He lined up all over the line, outside and inside. Just a solid player."
The Rockford, Illinois, native was a Second Team All-Big Ten honoree in his senior season, piling up 46 tackles, 13.5 for loss, and three sacks, a campaign highlighted by a school-record six tackles-for-loss in Northwestern's win at Nebraska. According to Pro Football Focus, only five edge players in college football produced more hurries than Lowry's 37 during the 2015 season.
"His athleticism and flexibility," Wolf said of what stands out the most about Lowry. "He's built low to the ground and he's a versatile guy who can rush the passer and play the run. Obviously with B.J. (Raji) retiring, we lost some guys up front. It looks like something we addressed as a need, and we've been able to fill it so far."
Vitale was the sixth round selection of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, No. 197 overall. The Wheaton, Illinois, native hauled in 135 catches for 1,427 yards and 11 touchdowns during his Northwestern career. The superback, a member of the All-Big Ten Second Team last season, led the Wildcats in receptions (33), receiving yards (355), and receiving touchdowns (4) as a senior in 2015.
Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter told the Tampa Bay Times that the team plans to use him at fullback and tight end, along with special teams. "Excited to see what he looks like (in practice)," Koetter said.
"I think it's a great fit," Vitale told the team's official website. "I think I'll be able to do a lot for this team, which I'm excited about. That's what I did in college. I played a little bit of slot, a little bit of tight end, a little bit of fullback. I think an H-back is kind of what I'm looking at and I'm excited to contribute."
"He can catch the ball, he's played tight end there," Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht said of Vitale. "He's kind of a hybrid guy and I know he's going to be a really good special teamer and that's hard to find, a fullback that can play special teams."
In addition to the two Northwestern draftees on Saturday, a pair of Wildcats signed free agent contracts with NFL teams. Defensive end Deonte Gibson signed on with the Detroit Lions, and safety Traveon Henry will join Vitale in Tampa Bay. Gibson recorded 9.0 sacks as a senior in 2015, the fourth-best single-season total in Northwestern history. Henry registered 231 tackles and three interceptions in his Wildcats career.
Northwestern opens the 2016 season on Saturday, September 3, when they welcome Western Michigan to Ryan Field.