SENATOBIA - Although two former Northwest football standouts went without hearing their names called in last weekend's NFL Draft, defensive back Marlon Character, Jr. and tight end Pro Wells have signed undrafted free agent deals with a pair of professional franchises.

Character signed with the Kansas City Chiefs late Saturday night following the conclusion of the draft, while Wells inked with the Cincinnati Bengals shortly after the final round concluded. The duo joins former 2017 teammate Brandin Echols in the professional ranks, after the Southaven native and Kentucky cornerback was taken in the sixth round by the New York Jets. 

In his lone season with Northwest, Character compiled 28 total tackles, six pass breakups and one interception, joining a crowded and talented defensive backfield that produced five Division I signees.

He later signed with the University of Louisville, where he appeared in 34 games and registered 83 career tackles and two sacks from 2018-20. The Atlanta native also started four games for the Cardinals in 2019, totaling 30 tackles, including four against Mississippi State in the Music City Bowl.

Wells caught 19 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns during the Rangers' 2017 campaign, a year that featured an MACJC North Division title and a berth to the Graphic Edge Bowl in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

After Northwest, the St. Petersburg, Fla. native spent three seasons at TCU, earning second team All-Big 12 honors after his 2019 junior season, which featured 17 receptions and a team-best five touchdown receptions. Last season, Wells reeled in 13 receptions for 195 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Horned Frogs to a 6-4 overall record.

With the trio of players drafted or signed from this weekend, Northwest now boasts five players currently in the NFL, including Jacksonville quarterback Gardner Minshew and Seattle offensive lineman Damien Lewis.