2025 Northwestern football position reviews: Linebackers

Northwestern has consistently put out linebackers that play similarly to those of the past. Last year, Xander Mueller led the linebacker room with this year’s leader — Mac Uihlein — being his main running mate.

The Wildcats had an average linebacker room in terms of Big Ten teams, but it’s hard to compare to teams like Ohio State and Indiana that have players projected to go in the first round of the NFL Draft. Despite that, Northwestern did hold its own, and the play of the linebackers did improve as the year progressed.

Overall Grade: B

The ‘Cats linebacker room was held down by two guys the entire season. When judging the linebacker position for this team, it’s hard to really look anywhere outside of the every-down starters. That being said, the depth pieces that did play weren’t necessarily the greatest. Also, while some linebackers did contribute on special teams, I’m choosing to stick to defense when I do these grades.

Mac Uihlein, Gr: A

Uihlein capped off his Northwestern career with his best season yet. He finished the year with 100 total tackles (second on team, 10th in the Big Ten), 6.0 tackles for loss (TFLs), a forced fumble and four interceptions (led team, tied for fourth in the Big Ten). Uihlein’s play in 2025 earned him All-B1G Third Team honors, a huge deal when considering the talent at the position in the conference. He recorded 10 or more tackles in three games this season and was the second Northwestern linebacker since 2000 to record four or more interceptions in a season. In total, Uihlein was extremely strong for the ‘Cats defensively, and his play improved drastically after a rough showing in Week 1 against Tulane.

Braydon Brus, R-Jr: B

In his first season as a starter, Brus was a solid complement to Uihlein. He finished the season with 81 tackles (third on team, 24th in the Big Ten), 4.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks and four forced fumbles (tied for first on the team). While Brus did struggle in coverage this season, allowing receptions 80% of the time he was targeted according to PFF, and his tackling wasn’t always the best, his availability combined with his ability to rush the passer made him a strong asset for the ‘Cats. Both of his forced fumbles came against Illinois, and Brus had 10 or more tackles twice this season. Next year, he’s expected to start once again and be a focal point of the Northwestern defense.

Jack Sadowsky V, Jr: D+

While Sadowsky did play fewer snaps on defense than his teammate below on this list, I give him a grade because he had the third-most snaps played at linebacker for Northwestern this season of players that didn’t get injured. When he was on the field, the Iowa State transfer struggled. Sadowsky’s tackling was fine, but his play in coverage made it hard for him to stay on the field.

Yannis Karlaftis, Gr: Incomplete

Karlaftis was having an average season before an injury against Louisiana-Monroe sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He was one of the rotational linebackers that would occasionally play, but because of his injury, it’s hard to give a grade of his season.

Nigel Glover, R-So: Incomplete

Glover appeared in 12 of the 13 games Northwestern played this season. He was primarily used on special teams, but did see some defensive action, making two tackles in the GameAbove Sports Bowl. Glover did have the highest PFF defensive grade of any Northwestern linebacker, albeit with a bit of an asterisk as he didn’t play many snaps on defense. As a special teamer, Glover played over 100 snaps, making five total tackles per PFF. The reason he gets an “incomplete” grade is because he didn’t play enough as a linebacker this year.

Payton Roth, R-So: Incomplete

Similarly to Glover, Roth didn’t play enough as a linebacker to garner a grade. While he did play more snaps on defense than his redshirt sophomore teammate, it wasn’t by a wide margin. Roth had eight total tackles in 2025, including two against Illinois. If I was including special teams play, he would almost certainly receive a grade, as he led the team in special teams snaps, per PFF. However, because I’m not grading based on that, he gets an incomplete.

Josh Veldman, Fy: Incomplete

Veldman appeared in five games in his first season with the Wildcats. In those five appearances, he played just 24 total snaps according to PFF, all on special teams.

Jason Reynolds II, R-Jr: Incomplete

In 2025, Reynolds appeared in just four games. While he did record a career-high two tackles against Penn State, those were his only tackles of the season.

Miles Crutchley, R-Jr: Incomplete

Crutchley appeared in two games this season, barely playing in either contest.

Nathaniel Campbell, Gr: Incomplete

Did not see game action.

Lincoln Creager, Fy: Incomplete

Did not see game action.

Matthew Smith, R-Fy: Incomplete

Did not see game action.