How Northwestern defensive coordinator Tim McGarigle utilizes Anto Saka this season will be fascinating, as he’s only been a rotational guy through his first two seasons in Evanston.
After getting shut out of the past two NFL Drafts, Northwestern will have a strong presence again in 2026. Yes, it is early days, but NU edge rusher Anto Saka is showing up in the first round of mock drafts and ranking in the top 30 on prospect lists.
If he does come out, and he is selected in the first round next April, the redshirt Jr. will become the fourth Wildcat to earn this distinction since 2021.
The previous three are OG Peter Skoronski (#11 overall, Tennessee Titans, 2023), OT Rashawn Slater (#13 overall, Los Angeles Chargers, 2021) and CB Greg Newsome (#26 overall, Cleveland Browns 2021).
The most recent Northwestern lineman to get drafted was Adetomiwa Adebawore, who went 110th overall, in the fourth round to the Indianapolis Colts, in 2021. Adebawore was one of four ‘Cats selected in that year’s draft, which was their highest tally since 1985.
Tim McGarigle holds two positions on the Northwestern staff: defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. He assumed the former position last season, and has held the latter job since 2018. McGarigle has been a big part of developing guys to the point that they are pro ready.
“Coach McGarigle has been a huge part of our scheme the past four years that I’ve been here,” former Northwestern linebacker Xander Mueller said in an exclusive conversation with RG. “He’s helped the defensive coordinators I’ve had in the past making these calls, especially up front in the run game stuff, so it’s awesome to have him in the room, but also to keep the continuity, with having had him as a LBs coach.”
Mueller accepted rookie minicamp invites from both the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Commanders.
How McGarigle utilizes Saka this season will be fascinating, as he’s only been a rotational guy through his first two seasons in Evanston. And despite not having started a single collegiate game yet, he’s still accumulated nine sacks over that span.
The Baltimore native has also put some impressive numbers when it comes quarterback pressures.
Saka has a lot of raw, pure talent, as he came out of high school a four-star recruit, garnering offers from Michigan, Tennessee, Penn State and USC. And while he hasn’t had a ton of experience yet (that will certainly change this fall), The Athletic still projects him 28th overall to the Detroit Lions. They have him as the fifth edge rusher coming off the board.
Much like last season, Northwestern is going to be a defense-first kind of team that will have to win first and foremost by keeping their opponents out of the end zone. Saka is going to play a leading role in that.
He is a tad light for a NFL edge though, at 247 pounds. He’s really more of a speed rusher, who’s going to beat opposing blockers with quickness, and a great first step, instead of simply over-powering them.