Quarterback Chandler Harnish, wide receiver Nathan Palmer and center Scott Wedige are three former Northern Illinois players that have high hopes of getting selected in the later rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft.
One player who will likely have to count on being picked up as an undrafted free agent is offensive tackle Trevor Olson, a four-year starter for the Huskies.
Olson told the Daily Chronicle he's been in contact with roughly a half-dozen teams, and hopes to get a call sometime Saturday, assuming he's not selected.
"Hopefully Saturday night would be the best possible situation," he said. "That means I would be picked up right after the draft."
One concern about the 6-foot-6, 302-pound lineman has been strength. Olson had just 12 reps on the 225-pound bench press at NIU's pro day in March.
Olson's agent, Cliff Brady, who also represents Harnish and Wedige, said that Olson's body of work at NIU should speak for itself. He mentioned that Olson has given up just three sacks in his career and has never been penalized for holding.
"That alone should make you a free agent," Brady said. "I have just been at the top of the mountain trying to scream this."
Other former Huskies with a shot at hooking on with an NFL team as a free agent include linebackers Pat Schiller and Jordan Delegal, as well as running back Jasmin Hopkins.
