Northwestern University boasts an incredibly prestigious and proud history of developing exceptional football players who achieved both collegiate greatness and massive professional success in the National Football League. Legendary alumni who wore the purple and white include the iconic Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham, who dominated early professional football, as well as historically dominant collegiate linebackers like Pat Fitzgerald himself, who won both the Bronko Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik awards twice. In the modern era, the program has continued to produce top-tier NFL draft picks and Pro Bowl talents, including elite offensive tackle Peter Skoronski, dominant offensive lineman Rashawn Slater, highly productive running back Justin Jackson, cerebral quarterback and current NFL offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, and defensive stalwart Anthony Walker. These standout athletes highlight the program's enduring legacy of gridiron excellence.