SENATOBIA - Although NFL Draft weekend came and went without any Northwest players selected, at least two former Rangers will still get a shot to make a pro roster.

Former Northwest linebacker Quentin Wilfawn (South Alabama) and quarterback Michael Hiers (Samford) went undrafted, but received mini-camp invites to the Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, respectively.

After two seasons with the Rangers in 2018-19, Wilfawn spent four seasons at South Alabama, missing the majority of the 2022 campaign due to injury. His senior campaign in 2023 was undoubtedly his best, as the Oxford native collected a team-high 81 total tackles, 15 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 sacks. He had one of the biggest defensive games in program history earlier this season, when he recorded 4.5 TFLs and a sack against Louisiana. That game also kicked off a three-week stretch where he made 36 tackles in three contests and produced six quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and a pass breakup. 

For his achievements last season, Wilfawn was named a Second Team All-Sun Belt selection. He helped South Alabama to the 68 Ventures Bowl last December against Eastern Michigan.

In 2021, he played in 11 games for the Jaguars, recording 45 total tackles, including a season-high of 11 against Arkansas State. During the COVID-19 affected 2020 season, Wilfawn tallied 12 tackles in seven games played.

In his two seasons at Northwest, Wilfawn helped the Rangers to a combined 16-5 record and back-to-back MACJC playoff appearances. During his sophomore campaign, Wilfawn led the team with 70 total tackles, nine tackles-for-loss, three sacks and an interception. He was also named First Team All-MACJC for the 2019 season.

Hiers spent the 2020-21 seasons with Northwest and left as one of the most decorated quarterbacks in Rangers' history. The Birmingham, Ala. native helped Northwest to the 2020 MACCC and National Community College Football championships, while also guiding the Rangers to the 2021 MACCC Championship and an appearance in the NJCAA Division I Football Playoffs.

In 18 total games with the Rangers, Hiers completed 65 percent of his passes, throwing for 4,519 yards, 34 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He ranks fifth in career passing yards and remains one of only four Northwest quarterbacks to throw for 3,000 yards in a season, joining the likes of Russell Evans, NFL quarterback Gardner Minshew and current Southern Miss head coach Will Hall.

Hiers also accounted for 4,496 yards of total offense at Northwest, ranking fifth in that category. He is also tied for the longest pass completion in program history, a 95-yard strike to current North Texas receiver D.T. Sheffield in a road contest at Coahoma.

Following Northwest, Hiers had a solid career at Samford, where he helped the Bulldogs to the SoCon title and the FCS Playoffs as a junior. In his stellar 2022 campaign, Hiers threw for a conference-high 3,544 yards and 36 touchdowns, ranking top 10 nationally in several statistical categories, including completion percentage (76.6; 1st), completions per game (27.15; 3rd), passing touchdowns (36; 4th) and passing yards (3,544; 6th).

Entering his 2023 senior season, Hiers was named to Athlon Sports' FCS Preseason All-America Team on May 31. He also earned All-American status by the Associated Press and Stats Perform following the 2022 campaign, while also earning Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year recognition.

Last season, Hiers completed 315 passes on 442 attempts, passing for 3,056 yards and 18 touchdowns. His best performance of the season came against East Tennessee State, where Hiers completed 42 passes and threw for 399 yards and a touchdown.

Currently, Northwest has four other players in the NFL. Quarterback Gardner Minshew II joined the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this spring in free agency after a successful season with the Colts, while offensive lineman Damien Lewis signed a new deal with the Carolina Panthers after four starting seasons in Seattle. Defensive backs Jerrick Reed II and Brandin Echols currently remain with the Seahawks and the New York Jets, respectively.