Northwestern’s all-time sacks leader did not get his name called Saturday, but life could be worse for Joe Gaziano. As the sun set, he was finalizing a free-agent deal with the Chargers, hoping to start his pro career in Los Angeles as a teammate of Justin Jackson, the Wildcats’ all-time leading rusher.
“I’ve got a helmet in my hand,” Gaziano said as his agent closed in on terms with the Chargers. “I’m ready to play ball.”
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Neither Northwestern nor Illinois had any players picked during the seven-round draft, including Illini edge rusher Oluwole Betiku Jr., who bypassed his final season of college eligibility to enter the draft.
It’s the fourth time in seven years Illinois has not had a player selected.
Betiku signed with the Giants, one of 10 rookie free agents the team announced Tuesday.
Gaziano had 30 career sacks and used his strong hands to force 10 fumbles. But scouts questioned his quickness and perhaps his foot speed after he ran a 5.07-second 40-yard dash at Northwestern’s pro day.
Asked during the draft what he would tell the NFL coach who brings in Gaziano, NU coach Pat Fitzgerald texted: “High football character and IQ, a grinder, highly productive, will be able to play on special teams, great teammate and has position flexibility.”
Fitzgerald believes the 6-foot-4, 275-pound Gaziano can play not only defensive end in a 4-3 scheme, but also outside linebacker in a 3-4.
Gaziano said of the Chargers: “It’s a great organization from the top down, and with their depth it looks like I can step in, give them some good looks and hopefully crack the 53- or 55-(man roster).”
If that happens, Gaziano’s parents would rack up some major mileage. Parents Frank and Mary Ellen never miss a game, flying in from Boston. Frank, who serves on Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court, says he has not missed a single sporting event involving Joe since the second grade.
Betiku said he was going to “bet on myself” by entering the draft and forfeiting his eligibility. The 6-3, 250-pound redshirt junior was a former five-star recruit who transferred from USC and started his Illinois career with a bang. He had seven sacks in his first four games, leading the nation at one point.
His production slowed during conference play, hampered in part by an ankle injury that cost him three games, and he finished with nine sacks and 13 tackles for a loss. He also had hip surgery while at USC.
At Illinois’ pro day in early March, he ran an impressive 4.69 in the 40.
Linebacker Dele Harding and running back Reggie Corbin also had been mentioned as potential Illini draftees. Harding led the conference with 153 tackles and made first-team All-Big Ten. Corbin finished his college career with 2,361 rushing yards, 12th in school history.
In other undrafted free-agent signings, Michigan State defensive tackle Raequan Williams, who played at DePaul Prep, signed with the Eagles; Miami wide receiver Jeff Thomas from East St. Louis signed with the Patriots; Illinois State running back James Robinson of Rockford signed with the Jaguars; and ISU safety Luther Kirk signed with the Cowboys.