Three more Northwestern Wildcats to get shot at NFL

EVANSTON, Ill. — After having three Northwestern players chosen in last weekend’s NFL Draft, three more Wildcats — wide receivers Zeke Markshausen and Andrew Brewer, and safety Brendan Smith — have earned invites to NFL camp tryouts this weekend.

For a complete interview and profile of Markshausen, go here

Markshausen will try out for the hometown Chicago Bears, while Brewer earned an invitation to the New England Patriots camp. Smith landed in Washington and will try out for the Redskins.

Markshausen and Brewer closed their careers with a flourish, as Markshausen caught 91 passes for 858 yards. His 91 receptions rank seventh-most in a season in Big Ten history. Markshausen was named an ESPN The Magazine first-team Academic All-American and a second-team All-Big Ten receiver by the media. In 2009, Markshausen snared 16 receptions for 111 yards against Michigan State. Markshausen, a former walk-on, began his senior season with one career catch.

Brewer, who was one of 11 FBS players named to the AFCA Allstate Good Works Team@, was the Wildcats’ team leader in receiving yards (925) and touchdowns (nine). The nine TD’s rank second-most on NU’s single-season TD reception list. Among Big Ten receivers who averaged 4.0 or more catches per game, Brewer ranked first in yards per reception (16.2) average. Brewer caught four of his TD passes in his final two games, versus Wisconsin and Auburn.

Smith, a two-time team captain and a four-year starter, is the only player in Northwestern history to both start and play in three postseason bowl games (2005, 2008, 2009). Smith played in just eight games in 2009, after sitting out four contests with a dislocated thumb. He appeared in 45 career games with 40 all-time starts. Smith ranks 10th on NU’s career interceptions list with seven. His late interception return for TD against Minnesota in 2008 will long be remembered as one of the most memorable plays in NU football history.

“I’m really excited for Zeke, Brew and Smitty,” said NU head coach Pat Fitzgerald. “They’ve all worked extremely hard throughout their career and each has overcome some significant adversity to now have a chance to try and earn a roster spot with the NFL team. I couldn’t be prouder of these three guys.”