The defensive line held steady all year, anchoring a feisty Wildcat defense.
Northwestern’s bounce-back season, finishing with a 7-6 record, was spurred on by a resilient offense and a stifling defense. The ‘Cats allowed over 25 points four times this season, the same number of times they held their opponents under ten.
The NU defensive line was a huge reason why Northwestern allowed the sixth-fewest points per game in the Big Ten, as it featured a plethora of experience, leadership and collaboration.
Overall Grade: B+
The defensive line was a strength due to its healthy mix of dynamic playmakers and consistent stoppers. It featured fifth-year seniors fighting for one last run as well as underclassmen hungry to blossom into world-beaters. Though there were struggles in areas such as stopping the run for the ‘Cats, allowing the ninth-most rush yards per game in the Big Ten, overall, the linemen constantly showed up and gave Northwestern a chance to win.
Aidan Hubbard, R-SR: A
Hubbard, a standout edge rusher, finished his NU career in style, registering 28 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and a career-high 7.5 sacks, which slotted him as No. 5 all-time in sacks at Northwestern with 20.5. He appeared in and started 11 games, including a two-sack outing against Central Michigan on December 26th, which put him fifth on the career sack leaderboard. Hubbard was the first Wildcat player since at least 1995 to have multiple games in his career with three or more sacks. His final season cemented his place in the Northwestern history books, and he will forever be remembered for his long and productive NU career.
Anto Saka, R-JR: A-
Saka earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in his first year as a starter, registering 13 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles. He entered the year with expectations of being an athletic, terrorizing threat off the edge, and his performances week in and week out lived up to those promises. Saka recorded a strip sack in Northwestern’s win vs. Purdue on October 18th and logged a sack and a forced fumble against Michigan on November 15th. The 6’4 edge rusher played himself into NFL draft conversations and recently announced his commitment to transfer to Texas A&M for his senior season to pursue opportunities at the next level. Saka represents a large hole that Northwestern will have to fill next year, but also exemplifies the elite development happening in Evanston.
Carmine Bastone, R-SR: A-
Bastone started all 13 games, recording 30 tackles, four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in his fifth and final year at NU. During the preseason, he was awarded the Northwestern Football No. 1 jersey, the highest honor in the program, and his consistent and persistent play throughout the year justified this recognition. Bastone posted a career-high 1.5 sacks against Western Illinois on September 5th and logged four total tackles and a sack against Michigan. He was a dominant force on the interior all year long for the Wildcat defense and finished off a tremendous collegiate career with arguably his best season.
Brendan Flakes, R-JR: B+
Flakes was slotted as a second or third-string defensive tackle before the season, but his consistent play made it impossible for Head Coach David Braun to keep him off the field. Flakes started all 13 games, recording a career-high 18 total tackles and a fumble recovery. He had seven tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery against Purdue. Flakes helped shore up the Northwestern run defense and represents an experienced defensive lineman who will lead the ‘Cats next season.
Michael Kilbane, JR: A
Kilbane took a huge step forward this year, transforming himself from a solid depth piece into a dynamic third option off the edge for the Wildcats. He played in all 13 games, posting 43 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, all of which were career highs. Kilbane recorded a career-high seven tackles at Nebraska on October 25th and recovered a fumble against CMU. At the end of the season, the lineman was awarded an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. He should slot into a starting edge role next year for Northwestern as he looks to play his way into an opportunity at the next level.
Najee Story, R-SR: B-
Story entered his fifth year at Northwestern with expectations of being a front-line starter and a large contributor on the defensive line. He appeared in all 13 games, posting 20 total tackles, one sack and an interception. Story recorded a career-high four tackles against Purdue and his first-career interception at USC on November 7th. Overall, he didn’t blossom into an elite player like his impressive underclassmen stats would have projected, but he finished his career at NU with yet another highly productive and impactful season.
Richie Hagarty, GR: B+
After missing the 2024 season due to injury, Hagarty entered his seventh and final season of college football hungry to make an impact. However, he was struck with the injury bug once again and only played in eight games before suffering another season-ending injury. Hagarty tallied 14 total tackles and 0.5 sacks in the eight games. He posted a season-high three total tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss against Western Illinois.
Callen Campbell, R-FR: B
Campbell generated a lot of preseason buzz for Northwestern and showed enough flashes this year to justify the hype. He played in 12 of NU’s 13 games, registering seven total tackles, including his first career tackle against Tulane on August 30th. Campbell will enter next season as a vital piece of the ‘Cats’ defensive line unit and should be expected to take an even larger jump in his second season of action.
Migo Jackson, GR: B-
Jackson came over from Utah State as a Graduate Student and was expected to serve as an experienced depth piece for the ‘Cats. He played in four games, registering five total tackles and one sack. Jackson made his Northwestern debut against USC and tallied two solo tackles and a sack against CMU.
Jack Trautmann, R-FR: N/A
Trautmann appeared in five games, making his collegiate debut against Western Illinois and posting his first career tackle against CMU.
Mason Mayne, FR: N/A
Mayne played in four games, tallying two total tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss in his first collegiate season.
Tyler Gant, R-SO: N/A
Gant appeared in seven games, registering four total tackles.
Caden O’Rourke, FR: N/A
O’Rourke played in two games and tallied two total tackles, making his collegiate debut against ULM on October 4th.
Troy Regovich, R-FR: N/A
Regovich appeared in five games, making his college debut against Tulane.
Mason Green, R-SO: N/A
Green played in two games, making his collegiate debut against Western Illinois and registering his first career solo tackle and sack against CMU.
Jonah Hayes, FR: N/A
Hayes appeared in one game, making his collegiate debut against CMU.
Braxton Strong, R-FR: N/A
Did not see game action.
Landon Lauter, R-FR: N/A
Did not see game action.
Dylan Roberts, R-SO: N/A
Did not see game action.
Tanner Jumpp, FR: N/A
Did not see game action.
Additions Next Year
Transferring In: Jamaal Johnson from UCF and Dominic Kirks from Ohio State
Recruits: Tre Hoskins, Nick Zalewski, Ronald Derrick III, Calvin Lorek and Nick Costa
Category: General Sports
