KANSAS CITY - Northern Michigan offensive tackle
Jake Witt was selected in the seventh round of the National Football League Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, pick 236 overall on Saturday afternoon. Witt is the first Wildcat to be drafted since Mark Maddox was taken by the Buffalo Bills in 1991, a 32-year span.
Witt spoke with 31 of 32 NFL teams in some capacity, visiting nine including a private workout with the Colts. In two seasons with the Wildcats, Witt started all 22 games, playing nine at tight end before shifting to offensive tackle due to injuries against eventual national champion Ferris State.
His rapid rise leading up to the NFL Draft began at Central Michigan's Pro Day in March, where he showcased his superior athleticism to catch the eyes of NFL scouts. He scored a 9.80 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 27th out of 1293 for offensive tackles from 1987 to 2023.
Northern Michigan draft history in the NFL/AFL
| Year |
League |
Round |
Pick |
Team |
Player |
Position |
| 2023 |
NFL |
7 |
236 |
IND |
Jake Witt |
T |
| 1991 |
NFL |
9 |
249 |
BUF |
Mark Maddox |
LB |
| 1989 |
NFL |
7 |
170 |
DET |
Jerry Woods |
DB |
| 1981 |
NFL |
10 |
257 |
WAS |
Phil Kessel |
QB |
| 1980 |
NFL |
8 |
202 |
BUF |
Todd Krueger |
QB |
| 1977 |
NFL |
11 |
288 |
KAN |
Maurice Mitchell |
WR |
| 1976 |
NFL |
8 |
235 |
NE |
Stu Betts |
RB |
| 1975 |
NFL |
13 |
328 |
NE |
Joe Harvey |
DE |
| 1974 |
NFL |
4 |
101 |
DAL |
Andy Andrade |
RB |
| 1974 |
NFL |
9 |
211 |
NYG |
Jim Rathje |
RB |
| 1973 |
NFL |
17 |
426 |
BAL |
Guy Falkenhagen |
T |
| 1972 |
NFL |
4 |
83 |
DAL |
Tim Kearney |
LB |
| 1970 |
NFL |
11 |
262 |
CHI |
Ted Rose |
TE |
| 1970 |
NFL |
12 |
298 |
ATL |
Lonnie Holton |
RB |
| 1969 |
NFL |
14 |
361 |
DAL |
Gerald Lutri |
T |
| 1968 |
NFL |
12 |
325 |
GB |
Dennis Porter |
T |
| 1967 |
NFL |
4 |
103 |
DAL |
Curtis Marker |
G |
| 1964 |
AFL |
9 |
68 |
BOS |
Len St. Jean |
G |
| 1964 |
NFL |
13 |
181 |
GB |
Jack Mauro |
T |
| 1964 |
NFL |
17 |
237 |
GB |
Len St. Jean |
G |
| 1963 |
AFL |
17 |
135 |
BOS |
Tom Neaumann |
HB |
| 1962 |
AFL |
15 |
118 |
BOS |
Gerry Goerlitz |
C |
| 1962 |
NFL |
10 |
129 |
CLE |
Jerry Goerlitz |
C |
| 1961 |
NFL |
16 |
219 |
DET |
Gus Krantz |
T |
| 1961 |
NFL |
19 |
262 |
DET |
Gene Valesano |
HB |