Northern Illinois University Athletics

2022
•    Started 11 of 12 games at center in 2022; ranked second on the team in total snaps (758) as a redshirt freshman.
•    In his first season as a starter, did not allow a sack in 328 passing attempts while snapping to four different quarterbacks.
•    Named NIU’s Freshman of the Year at postseason banquet. 
•    Allowed just one hit on the quarterback all season.
•    Led the NIU offensive line with a 95% effort grade for the season.
•    NIU ranked second in the MAC and 34th nationally in rushing offense with 190.4 yards/game.
•    The Huskies led the MAC and ranked 10th in the country in fewest sacks allowed with just 12 surrendered all year for an average of 1.0/game.
•    Best performances came against Vanderbilt with an 84 % overall grade and 97 % effort and at Western Michigan with 84 % overall/96 % effort.
•    PFF graded him at 80 % or higher three times, topped by an 83.4% mark against Ball State.
•    Earned Academic All-MAC and CSC Academic All-District honors.

2021
•    Saw action in three games – at Buffalo (11-17), versus Western Michigan (11-23) and in the Cure Bowl (12-17) game versus Coastal Carolina in Orlando.
•    Used primarily as an extra blocker in Huskies’ “jumbo” package. 

HIGH SCHOOL
• Ranked the No. 1 center in the state of Indiana by 247Sports.
• Helped lead the Bulldogs to conference title in 2018 and state playoffs in 2020.
• Three-time varsity letterwinner and two-time team captain (2019 and 2020).
• Named team Most Valuable Player in 2020 and best offensive lineman in each of the last two years.
• Member of the National Honor Society.
• Active with Special Olympics, Beggars for the Poor and Family Promise.
 
PERSONAL
• Born on August 29 in Danville, Indiana.
• Son of Susan and Mike Nygra.
• Majoring in kinesiology.