DeKALB, Ill. – Six seniors from the 2024 Northern Illinois University football team “got the call” from National Football League teams following the completion of the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday and will report to NFL rookie mini-camps in May.
Fullback Brock Lampe (New England Patriots), offensive lineman J.J. Lippe (Green Bay Packers), defensive lineman Devonte O’Malley (Tennessee Titans) and safety Nate Valcarcel (Los Angeles Rams) all signed as undrafted free agents, while cornerback JaVaughn Byrd (New Orleans Saints) and offensive lineman Logan Zschernitz (New York Giants) received mini-camp invitations.
“First of all, I’m excited about all those guys having an opportunity to compete and prove themselves at the next level. Whether you get drafted or not, it’s about the opportunity,” said NIU head coach Thomas Hammock. “This group was one of my first classes so to see them be evaluated, get developed, get coached and move on shows the progression of our program. These guys are just the start; we have a bunch coming after them who will have similar chances to play at the next level.”
Lampe (Kenosha, Wis./Bradford HS), who played in 47 consecutive games for NIU from 2021-24, helped power the Huskie rushing attack as a blocker and caught 18 passes for 216 yards while contributing on multiple special teams units.
Lippe (Milwaukee, Wis./Whitefish Bay HS) started at every position on the offensive line in his six seasons and 52 games as a Huskie. He earned first team All-MAC honors as a senior and was a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation Campbell Trophy.
O’Malley (Midlothian, Ill./Bremen HS) ranks sixth on NIU’s career chart for quarterback sacks with 22.5 in his 58 games played. Twice named All-MAC, he was named the Bronko Nagurski National Player of the Week after making three tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks in the Huskies’ 2024 upset of fifth-ranked Notre Dame.
Valcarcel (Greenfield, Wis./Whitnall HS) played in 52 games for NIU and spent the past two seasons in a starting role, earning first team All-MAC honors as a senior. He finished his career with 113 tackles, 59 solo, six interceptions and nine pass break-ups.
Byrd (Milwaukee, Wis./Rufus King HS) made 39 starts in 48 games between 2021-24 and finished his NIU career with 151 tackles, 105 solo, with 14 pass break up and three interceptions. He was a two-time (2023 and 2024) All-MAC selection.
Zschernitz (Spencer, Wis./Spencer HS) was a three-time All-MAC selection as a four-year starter on the NIU offensive line at guard and center, helping the Huskies offensive line rank among the best units in the country throughout his time.
Except for Valcarcel, who played four games in the 2021 spring season at South Dakota before transferring to NIU as a walk-on, the six Huskies played their entire careers at NIU. In addition to Valcarcel, Lampe and O’Malley walked on before earning scholarships.
“One thing I will say is all of those guys chose to stay and finish their careers at NIU,” Hammock said. “They had opportunities to leave, and they chose to stay. Their faith in us and their faith in the program was greatly rewarded.
“I love that three of those six were walk-ons. That speaks volumes to our program, the development, the buy-in and the hard way mentality to come here as a walk-on, earn a scholarship and now have the opportunity play at the next level. Kudos to them, to the coaches and to the strength staff for all the work that has gone into being ready to take the next step.”
The six Huskies will look to join 2023 NIU seniors James Ester and DaRon Gilbert who both remain on NFL rosters after signing with the Packers and Detroit Lions, respectively, last year. Veteran NFL Huskies Max Scharping (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Jimmie Ward (Houston Texans) enter their seventh and 13th years, respectively, in the league.
NIU opens the 2025 football season at home versus Holy Cross on August 30, 2025.
April 28, 2025
