Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald talks spring practice, NFL Draft
Right now is an interesting time for Northwestern.
The Wildcats are in the middle of spring practice after an outstanding 7-2 season in 2020, winning the B1G West for a second time in three seasons and defeating Auburn in the Citrus Bowl. Northwestern is also expected to see two former players be selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Offensive lineman Rashawn Slater and defensive back Greg Newsome II are both graded as Day 1 selections in this year’s draft. Slater opted out of the 2020 season while Newsome emerged as one of the top secondary players in the country.
Pat Fitzgerald had plenty to talk about while speaking with the media on Thursday.
Fitzgerald discussed Northwestern’s ongoing spring practice, the potential of the program having two first-round picks in the same year and adapting to some of the changes made during the offseason. Here’s what he had to say:
Fitz said that the team is in the middle of their three-week phase of spring practices.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) April 15, 2021
"Today might have been one of our most enthusiastic practices thus far." — Fitz
— Inside NU (@insidenu) April 15, 2021
"If you ask me who our starting quarterback is, I will mute my line." — Fitz
— Inside NU (@insidenu) April 15, 2021
"When he [Rashawn Slater] steps on the field, that humility goes away and he becomes a super physical guy." — Fitz
— Inside NU (@insidenu) April 15, 2021
"He can be not only a corner, but he can be a sub-nickel guy at the next level." — Fitz on Greg Newsome
— Inside NU (@insidenu) April 15, 2021
Fitz referenced how Coach Barnett used to preach belief without evidence to get recruits to believe in Northwestern. Says that now they have the evidence that this is a great program.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) April 15, 2021
"To have two first rounders in this year's draft shows every prospect in the country that you can come to Northwestern and you can have it all." — Fitz
— Inside NU (@insidenu) April 15, 2021
Fitz says that he has a slide that lists all of the former Northwestern players and staffers who work in scouting and in front office roles in the NFL that he shows to recruits.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) April 15, 2021
Fitz says that stopping quarterback designed runs and scrambles will definitely be a point of emphasis this year.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) April 15, 2021
