Northern Illinois University Athletics

Career
• Finished his four-year NIU career (2021-24) with 113 tackles, 59 solo.
• Played in 52 games for the Huskies with 25 starts, all over his last two seasons.
• Intercepted six passes which were returned for 95 yards and had nine pass break-ups.
• Made four tackles for loss and accounted for 2.5 sacks with a pair of fumble recoveries, including one for a score.
• Transitioned from back-up cornerback and special teams player to starting safety over his four seasons at NIU. 

2024 
• First team All-MAC selection by league coaches and Phil Steele.
• Played in and started every game at free safety.
• Fourth on the team with a career high 52 tackles; his 31 solo stops tied for the team lead.
• Led NIU with three interceptions, returned for 57 yards, and tied for the team lead with eight pass break-ups. 
• Recovered a fumble and had a pair of quarterback sacks on the year.  
• Recorded two tackles and made his third interception of the season in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl win over Fresno State (12-23).
• Filled the box score with three tackles, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery in win over Central Michigan (11-30)
• Had his second career sack at Miami (11-19); led NIU with nine tackles, tying a career-high.
• Recorded his fifth career interception in win at Western Michigan (11-6)
• Had a season-high eight tackles at Ball State (10-26)
• Accounted for six tackles in the Huskies’ win at Bowling Green (10-12) with an interception to stop Bowling Green’s final drive.
• Broke up a career-high two passes in win over UMass (10-5).
• Posted four tackles and his first career sack at NC State (9-28).
• Made five tackles for the second straight game versus Buffalo (9-21). 
• Credited with five tackles and broke up a pass in NIU’s historic win over No. 5 Notre Dame (9-7).
• Made three tackles and broke up a pass versus Western Illinois (8-31).

2023
• In his first season as a starter, made 46 tackles and a team-leading three interceptions from his safety position. 
• Totaled 1.5 tackles for loss, half a sack and a pass break up. 
• Received second team All-MAC accolades from Phil Steele. 
• Picked up a fumble and returned it 50 yards for his first career touchdown at Toledo (9-30). 
• Credited with four tackles in Camellia Bowl win over Arkansas State (12-23). 
• Led NIU with a career-high nine tackles at Nebraska (9-16). 
• Recorded a turnover for the fourth straight game with an interception against Ohio (10-14) which he returned 33 yards. 
• Had three tackles at Kent State in NIU’s bowl-clinching win (11-25). 
• Made two tackles and recorded a sack in the Huskies’ shut out of Western Michigan (11-14). 
• Totaled five stops in the Ball State game (11-7). 
• Had an interception and two tackles in win at Akron (10-7). 
• Recorded his first career interception against Tulsa (9-23). 
• Posted five stops, including one for loss, in win at Boston College (9-2).
• Named most improved player on defense following spring practices.

2022
•    Played in all 12 games on special teams and as a reserve safety.
•    Contributed on the kickoff, kickoff return and punt return teams.
•    Totaled 10 tackles, seven solo, with one half tackle for loss on the year.  
•    Credited with two solo stops in NIU’s wins at Eastern Michigan (10-15) and Western Michigan (11-9).
•    Made a season-high three tackles – all solo - versus Akron (11-19).
•    In on a tackle for loss at Ohio (10-22).

2021
•    Saw action in all 14 games as a member of the kickoff coverage and punt return units.  
•    Recorded five solo tackles throughout the season. 
•    Made a season-best two stops at Kent State (11-3).
•    Accounted for one tackle at Georgia Tech (9-4), at Central Michigan (10-23) and vs. Ball State (11-10).

PRIOR TO NIU
Spring 2021 at South Dakota
•  Played in four games at South Dakota in Spring 2021.
• Primarily saw action on special teams as one of 10 true freshmen to compete.
 
HIGH SCHOOL
• Played running back and defensive back at Whitnall.
• Earned first team All-State and All-Region honors as a senior.
• Also collected all-conference honors on offense and defense.
• Rushed for 1,824 yards and 28 touchdowns in eight games in 2019.
• Recorded 41 tackles with a tackle for loss and a sack.
• Returned three punts for 105 yards with a touchdown and seven kickoffs for 133 yards in 2019.
• Ran for 530 yards and three touchdowns in five games as a junior.
• Made 23 tackles on defense in 2018.
• Three-sport athlete also played basketball and competed in track and field. 
 
PERSONAL
• Birthday is May 23rd.
• Son of Julie and Moises Valcarcel.
• Majoring in organizational and corporate communications.