Northern Illinois University Athletics

2025

• Team Captain in 2025, starting all 12 games and led the defensive side of the ball.

• Finished the season with 141 tackles, the most by an NIU player since 1992 (Tony Smith, 142) and only the fourth NIU player since 1990 to have 140+ tackles in a season.

• Led in the in solo tackles with 71 and ranked tied for second in tackles per game with 11.8.
• Second Team All-MAC selection at linebacker.
• Had 10 games with at least 10 tackles, becoming the fifth player from the MAC to do so since 2015.
• Most games with 10 or more tackles by NIU player since at least 2005.
• Added 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, an interception and pass breakup during redshirt senior season.
• Opener season with 10 tackles and a tackle for loss against Holy Cross (8-30).
• Made 10 stops (nine solo) at Maryland (9-5).
• Finished Mississippi State (9-20) game with 14 tackles.
• Career-high 16 tackles (10 solo) vs. San Diego State (9-27), most tackles by an NIU player since 2022 and tied for second most since 2019, and 2.5 tackles for loss.
• Made 14 tackles (nine solo) and recorded a sack vs. Miami (10-4).
• Had 12 tackles at Ohio (10-18).
• Recorded 14 tackles (nine solo) and tackle for loss vs. Ball State (10-25).
• Against Toledo (11-5), had 13 tackles.
• Posted eight stops and a tackle for loss at UMass (11-12).
• Finished Western Michigan game with 11 tackles (seven solo) and a pass breakup.
• Capped final game with a standout performance making 12 tackles, first career interception, a forced fumble and 0.5 tackles for loss.
• One of nine FBS players in 2025 season to have at least 10 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble in a single game.
• Earned MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors following Kent State game.

2024
• Played in every game in the rotation at linebacker while also contributing on special teams. 
• No. 32 made 32 tackles, 16 solo. 
• Was in on a tackle for loss and broke up a pass. 
• Totaled a season-high six tackles, four solo, versus Toledo (10-19).
• Recorded four stops in the Western Illinois (8-31), Western Michigan (11-6) and Akron (11-13) games.
• Was in on a TFL in the season opener versus the Leathernecks. 
• Also had four tackles, three solo, in NIU’s Famous Idaho Potato Bowl win over Fresno State (12-23). 
• In on three tackles at NC State (9-28).
• Posted two tackles and broke up a pass versus Central Michigan (11-30). 
• Member of the kickoff, kickoff return and punt units on special teams. 
• Qualified for a spot on the Academic All-MAC team. 

2023
• Played in five games on the season, primarily on special teams.
• Saw action in the season opener at Boston College (9-2), the Camellia Bowl game versus Arkansas State (12-23) and in a three-game midseason stretch versus Toledo (9-30), Akron (10-7) and Ohio (10-14).
• Recorded seven tackles, four solo, in 2023.
• Member of the kickoff, kickoff return and punt return units. 
• Saw his most extensive time at linebacker in fourth quarter of blowout win over Akron and totaled stops. 
• Had a solo tackle in the bowl win and at Toledo. 
• Graduated with his bachelor’s degree in May 2024. 

2022
•    Appeared in all 12 games, playing primarily on special teams. 
•    Member of the Huskies’ kickoff, kickoff return and punt return teams.
•    Totaled eight tackles, six solo, on the season.
•    Made two tackles in NIU’s wins over Eastern Illinois (9-1) and Eastern Michigan (10-15) with a season-best two solo stops versus the Eagles.
•    Recorded a tackle for loss of one yard at Ball State (10-1).
•    Also credited with solo tackles at Kentucky (9-24) and versus Miami (11-16). 

PRIOR TO NIU
2020-21 at North Dakota
•    Totaled 13 tackles, seven solo, in 14 games at North Dakota. 
•    Made 10 tackles in eight games at linebacker and on special teams in 2021.
•    Recorded a season high four stops at Southern Illinois (10-16).
•    Registered a pair of solo tackles and sacked the Utah State quarterback for an eight-yard loss in the season opener (9-10).
•    Credited with a pass break up versus Drake (9-18). 
•    Had a pair of tackles, and a half tackle for loss versus Western Illinois (10-23). 
•    Saw action in all seven games in a special teams role as a true freshman in 2021 spring season.
•    Made his collegiate debut in the season-opening win vs. No. 24 Southern Illinois (2-20-21).
•    Collected his first tackle in the win over No. 20 South Dakota (3-4-21) and added an assist at Western Illinois (3-13).
•    Posted his final solo tackle in the FCS playoff win over No. 12 Missouri State (4-24-21).

HIGH SCHOOL
•    Starred at both linebacker and running back at Batavia HS.
•    Earned three straight Player of the Year honors from the Aurora Beacon News/Kane County Preps.
•    Helped lead Batavia to a 35-5 record over his career, including a state title in 2017.
•    Accounted for 35 touchdowns over his career.

PERSONAL
•    Son of Donna and Gary Urwiler.
•    Followed his brother, former NIU wide receiver Trey Urwiler, to NIU. 
•    Earned his bachelor's degree in May 2024 and is pursuing post-graduate studies in kinesiology.