Q&A: Wildcat Alum Jake Saunders Joins WGN Radio Team as Sideline Reporter
8/27/2025 9:30:00 AM | Football
By Charlie Spungin, NUSports.com
Former Northwestern defensive lineman Jake Saunders (2016-20) will be step into the role of Northwestern's radio sideline reporter for the 2025 season. The Wildcats open the season at Tulane on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. CT, and the game will air on WGN Radio 720.
Saunders will join The Voice of the Wildcats, Dave Eanet, who is entering his 36th-year as play-by-play announcer for Northwestern football, along with 32nd-year analyst Ted Albrecht.
Over his Northwestern career, Saunders tallied 29 career tackles, including 7.0 tackles for loss, and two sacks. In 2020, his final season with the program, he registered 14 tackles with 5.0 tackles for loss. He was a member of the 2018 and 2020 squads that were Big Ten West champions, and he won four bowl games during his tenure in Evanston.
Saunders sat down with Northwestern Athletics for a Q&A on Tuesday afternoon.
Q: What inspired you to step into the broadcasting world with Northwestern football?
Saunders: My major in undergrad was journalism, so I graduated from Medill with a degree. After I graduated undergrad, that was really my goal — to be in the media business. I did my journalism residency at the Big Ten Network, so I had an idea that I wanted to stick around athletics and stick around sports. I've always kept my background with my journalism degree top of mind and have always been interested in finding a way to stay involved with Northwestern and stay involved with broadcasting, so I think it made a lot of sense to step back into it here.
Q: What are you most looking forward to as a sideline reporter this season?
Saunders: I'm really, really excited to be involved with the football program again. It's such a special place. The thing we used to be told when we were getting recruited was that when you go to Northwestern, it's not a four-year decision, it's a forty-year decision. Even after you graduate, you enter this network of awesome alumni, and it's just a great way to stay involved. I got to spend some time in the facility earlier this week, and there's incredible energy, incredible coaches, and incredible people there. I'm excited to be a part of it and watch what they do on the field this year.
Q: What does it mean to you to be back on the sidelines at your alma mater, this time as a reporter instead of a player?
Saunders: It makes me want to grab shoulder pads and a helmet and run back out there. My body was itching to be finished with football at the end of my five years. It's pretty easy to forget what's required of your body to go out there and play, so I feel like I could play in some capacity, and I want to go back out there and play. But really, it's just special to be able to say that, even as a reporter, to have some part in being a part of this program is incredible. I'm so excited for the environment, excited for the season, and excited to be a part of it.
Q: How do you think being a former player will enhance your reporting ability?
Saunders: Having an understanding of the ebbs and flows of the game, picking up on what's happening on the sideline, and understanding what adjustments are being made in-game is really helpful. But just as much, I'm excited to learn from being around the players and coaches about how the game has evolved and developed. A lot of these coaches are different, so to listen to how these guys are being coached today is going to be awesome.
Q: What's it like getting to work with Dave Eanet and Ted Albrecht, who've been calling Northwestern games for over 30 years?
Saunders: They're both incredible. They're the pros. I remember both of them during my time at Northwestern, and now I've gotten to interact with Dave and Ted, and mainly Dave, over the last few months. His advice has been great. Because he's been doing this so long, all this comes natural and easy to him, and I'm asking questions about things I should be doing to prepare. He's been great. I think I couldn't be more comfortable with the people that I'm going to be doing this with.
Q: Which player are you most excited to watch on the field this year?
Saunders: One guy that stuck out over the past couple of years is Carmine Bastone. I know he's battled some injuries, but I'm excited to see him go into the season healthy. As a former defensive lineman and defensive tackle, he was my number-sake before since he wore No. 90, and now he's been honored with wearing No. 1 this year. I've just heard great things about his leadership and motor, and from what I've seen from his play on the field, I'm excited to how he does this year.
Q: Is there a particular game you're especially excited to report on this season?
Saunders: For me, it's going to Penn State and being in Happy Valley. I think there and Michigan were the only Big Ten stadiums I didn't go to as a player. We were supposed to go to Penn State during the COVID year, and then the schedule got reshuffled, so we didn't end up going to there. I've seen the environment on TV, obviously, but never gotten to be a part of it. Also, the team that they had last year was obviously incredible, and they are a favorite to be back in the CFP again this year. I think it'll be a great environment to be in and a good test for the guys as well.
Q: When you reflect on your time as a player, what moments or memories stand out most?
Saunders: We were really fortunate to have some great years when I was there — between four trips to bowl games and two trips to the Big Ten Championship game. A game that really sticks out in my mind is during that COVID year, going back to the Big Ten championship to face Ohio State. Really, though, after it's been a few years, you still remember the wins and losses, but the thing you'll remember forever is your time in the locker room with all the guys that you were seniors with and all the other guys on that roster.
Q: In your opinion, what sets Northwestern's football program apart from others?
Saunders: It attracts a special kind of recruit. During my time there, we had very few people who left the program for the transfer portal. Guys really buy into the incredible university and incredible coaching that happens there. Coaches have done a great job of keeping talent and building long-lasting relationships with guys. It's really hard to find anywhere else in the country where you can balance great academics and great athletics in a Big Ten environment.
Q: What are your thoughts on the New Ryan Field, which is set to open in 2026?
Saunders: I'm jealous, for sure. I wish we had something like that when I was a player. It's really going to set the bar for college football and change the game. It's going to be going to be incredible for generations of players to come and create an awesome environment for game days.
