Northern Illinois University Athletics

2025

• Saw the field in two games this season against Holy Cross (8-30) and Maryland (9-5) contributing on special teams.
• Played 39 career games, finished with 31 tackles (24 solo), two interceptions and two pass breakups.

2024
• Played in every game as a back-up at safety while also contributing on special teams. 
• Totaled five tackles, four solo, on the season.
• Member of the kickoff, punt return and punt units.  
• Made three solo stops in the season opener versus Western Illinois (8-31).
• Saw most snaps on defense in the WIU, UMass (10-5), Western Michigan (11-6) and Akron (11-13) games.  
• Contributed a solo tackle in the Huskies’ upset win over No. 5 Notre Dame (9-7).
• In on a tackle at Bowling Green (10-12). 
• Earned Most Improved Player award following 2024 spring practices.

2023
• Saw action in all 13 games while starting one at safety.
• Also played on multiple NIU special teams units including kickoff and kickoff return.  
• Totaled 20 tackles, 14 solo, with two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a tackle for loss. 
• Interceptions came in back-to-back home games versus Ohio (10-14) and Eastern Michigan (10-21). 
• Returned his first career interception 35 yards versus the Bobcats. 
• Added four tackles in the NIU win over EMU.
• Contributed two tackles, including a tackle for loss, and recovered a fumble in the season finale win at Kent State (11-25). 
• Made a career-high five tackles in win at Akron (10-7). 
• Recorded two tackles in the Boston College (9-2), Tulsa (9-23) and Central Michigan (10-31) games.
• Earned Academic All-MAC honors. 

2022
•    Totaled six tackles, all solo, while playing in seven games as a redshirt freshman. 
•    In his first career start at Kentucky (9-24), made a career high three tackles, all solo.
•    Also recorded solo stops in the Tulsa (9-10), Vanderbilt (9-17) and Ball State games (10-1).
•    Saw action on the kickoff and punt return teams during the season. 
•    Earned Academic All-MAC honors.

2021
•    Saw action in four of the last five games of the season.
•    Made his season debut versus Ball State (11-10) and played in the Western Michigan (11-23), MAC Championship game versus Kent State (12-4) and Cure Bowl (12-17) versus Coastal Carolina. 
•    Used primarily on special teams, including punt return squad, and did not record any tackles. 
•    Retained his redshirt season.  

HIGH SCHOOL
• Tallied a career-high 42 tackles, 17 solo with two forced fumbles and three recoveries in 2020 while playing for Clearwater Academy International in Clearwater, Fla.
• Amassed 10 career interceptions, including a career-best six in 2018, and 17 pass break ups during his career at Holy Names in Windsor, Ontario.
• Named to all-conference teams all four years at both CAI and Holy Names.
• A three-time all-area selection at Holy Names from 2017-19.
• Collected Team MVP honors in 2017 and 2018.
• Recorded four kickoff returns for touchdowns and two punt returns for scores as a sophomore.
• Honor roll student.
 
PERSONAL
• Born on October 8 in Windsor, Canada.
• Son of Christine and Eusie McGarrell.
• Business administration major.