Ester, who visited the Packers as a local prospect, will get his start in Green Bay.
Northern Illinois defensive tackle James Ester, a Detroit native who played his high school ball at Michigan powerhouse Cass Tech, will start his professional career with the Green Bay Packers.
Ester was the first to report the news, via Twitter.
Let’s Gooooooooooo
— James Ester (@J2Ester) April 27, 2024
Ester was a five-year contributor for the Huskies, playing four games as a true freshman in 2019 before earning a starting role in the 2020 season. Ester would start 43 games over 49 appearances for the Huskies, collecting 121 tackles, 20 tackles-for-loss, nine sacks, one interception, seven passes defensed, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick.
Ester was also a team captain over his final three seasons after quickly earning the trust of his coaching staff and teammates.
Ester’s best season was his senior campaign in 2023, nearly doubling his career-best numbers in total tackles (49) and sacks (four), while setting a career-best in tackles-for-loss (6.5), earning second-team all-MAC honors for his efforts.
Ester’s combination of size and production in a class which is shallow at defensive tackle made him an attractive option for teams looking for value, with nearly half he league reporting interest in acquiring his services. Ester’s high school background is also intriguing, having played both along the defensive line and as an outside linebacker, so he has a proven and varied athletic background.
His experience should prove to be an asset in the pro ranks, even if he winds up being undersized at six-foot-two, 293 lbs. At his ceiling, Ester could prove to be a rotational defensive tackle in a scheme predicated on stuffing the run. For now, though, he’ll have to prove his worth on special teams and situational play.
Kent Lee Platte (RAS.football)