Photo by: Griffin Quinn / Northwestern Athletics
Freak Mode: Anto Saka’s Rise to an Every-Down Force
8/7/2025 10:05:00 AM | Football
By: Jake Epstein, NUSports.com
When the Northwestern football first-years reported to campus in June, Dan & Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun encountered a frightening spectacle for any Big Ten quarterback.
On his own volition, redshirt junior defensive end Anto Saka held court in the Wildcats' weight room. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound edge rusher was in his element, demonstrating the standard required to rise from a once-promising, yet raw prospect to a bona fide matchup nightmare.
"I'm walking through the weight room and Anto Saka's in there spending time with our young guys and the strength staff to show them the ropes," Braun said. "He didn't have to do that, but he's at the facility constantly. He knows the progress he needed to make, consistently playing the run in the Big Ten. We've seen that show up in practice in the spring and the fall."
Saka first flashed his gamebreaking potential as a redshirt freshman in 2023, recording 13 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. During Saka's debut campaign, Braun said the passrusher was nowhere near his ceiling.
"None of us want Anto to be satisfied with being a third and long specialist or a pass rush specialist," Braun said in Sept. 2023. "We want Anto to continue to strive to be an every down guy that becomes unblockable in this league."
The following year, Saka tallied 3.5 sacks and five tackles for loss while primarily featuring on passing downs. While he'd carved out a niche as a third down specialist, Saka wanted nothing more than to expand upon a then-limited early-down role.
So, Saka put in extensive work with the strength staff to add 15 pounds to his frame.
"I know if I want to help the team this year, I [have] to be available on every down: first, second and third," Saka said. "Gaining some weight helped me get stronger at the point of attack, be a better run defender and just ultimately stay healthier."
Despite his added weight, the former high school sprinter at Loyola Blakefield (Md.) said he feels as fast and healthy as ever.
As such, Saka is holding himself to an especially lofty standard this season. The No. 56 ranked player on Bruce Feldman's annual "Freaks List," Saka is his own harshest critic, according to Braun.
"The expectations Anto has for himself is to be one of the best defensive ends in the country, and I would say the same," Braun said. "The way that he has worked, operated and been willing to take constructive criticism and respond aligns with someone that's primed to have that kind of season."
Aside from his on-field contributions and strength work, Saka has poured considerable effort into developing into a leader.
Just as Saka looked toward current Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore as a model to emulate during his true freshman season, he wants to help guide NU's next crop of defensive contributors in 2025.
"The main thing I wanted to work on this year was being a vocal leader," Saka said. "Throughout my time here, I've been more of a guy to do it by example. But as you get older, you learn that sometimes a voice needs to be heard. Maybe you need to be the guiding light for some of the young guys in the room."
Saka's impact extends beyond the defensive line room and the defense as a whole. Just ask graduate student quarterback Preston Stone, who thanks his lucky stars for Braun's quick whistle in practice.
Stone, a member of the team's leadership council alongside Saka, said he can't wait to see the redshirt junior's production this season.
"He's pretty scary," Stone quipped. "If he's on the man side of protection with a one-on-one, usually you [have to] get the ball out pretty quick because Anto's a really special player."
For Saka, who has heard his name floated in 2026 NFL Draft conversations and generated palpable hype since he first arrived on campus as a four-star recruit ahead of the 2022 season, significant work remains ahead.
Saka's sights aren't set on accolades, recognition and personal glory. It's why the defensive end puts in countless hours when no scouts, coaches or even teammates are watching.
"My personal success really comes second to the success of the team," Saka said. "I want to be one of the best players in the Big Ten. I want to be one of the best players in the nation, but ultimately, I want to be one of the best players for this team and take them as far as we can go."
When the Northwestern football first-years reported to campus in June, Dan & Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun encountered a frightening spectacle for any Big Ten quarterback.
On his own volition, redshirt junior defensive end Anto Saka held court in the Wildcats' weight room. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound edge rusher was in his element, demonstrating the standard required to rise from a once-promising, yet raw prospect to a bona fide matchup nightmare.
"I'm walking through the weight room and Anto Saka's in there spending time with our young guys and the strength staff to show them the ropes," Braun said. "He didn't have to do that, but he's at the facility constantly. He knows the progress he needed to make, consistently playing the run in the Big Ten. We've seen that show up in practice in the spring and the fall."
Saka first flashed his gamebreaking potential as a redshirt freshman in 2023, recording 13 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. During Saka's debut campaign, Braun said the passrusher was nowhere near his ceiling.
"None of us want Anto to be satisfied with being a third and long specialist or a pass rush specialist," Braun said in Sept. 2023. "We want Anto to continue to strive to be an every down guy that becomes unblockable in this league."
The following year, Saka tallied 3.5 sacks and five tackles for loss while primarily featuring on passing downs. While he'd carved out a niche as a third down specialist, Saka wanted nothing more than to expand upon a then-limited early-down role.
So, Saka put in extensive work with the strength staff to add 15 pounds to his frame.
"I know if I want to help the team this year, I [have] to be available on every down: first, second and third," Saka said. "Gaining some weight helped me get stronger at the point of attack, be a better run defender and just ultimately stay healthier."
Despite his added weight, the former high school sprinter at Loyola Blakefield (Md.) said he feels as fast and healthy as ever.
As such, Saka is holding himself to an especially lofty standard this season. The No. 56 ranked player on Bruce Feldman's annual "Freaks List," Saka is his own harshest critic, according to Braun.
"The expectations Anto has for himself is to be one of the best defensive ends in the country, and I would say the same," Braun said. "The way that he has worked, operated and been willing to take constructive criticism and respond aligns with someone that's primed to have that kind of season."
Anto Saka. ?????????? ??
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) August 4, 2025
6-4, 260 pounds.
36.5" vertical. 10' 4" broad jump.
On @BruceFeldmanCFB's 2025 Freaks List. pic.twitter.com/NOGtUKUSQr
Aside from his on-field contributions and strength work, Saka has poured considerable effort into developing into a leader.
Just as Saka looked toward current Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore as a model to emulate during his true freshman season, he wants to help guide NU's next crop of defensive contributors in 2025.
"The main thing I wanted to work on this year was being a vocal leader," Saka said. "Throughout my time here, I've been more of a guy to do it by example. But as you get older, you learn that sometimes a voice needs to be heard. Maybe you need to be the guiding light for some of the young guys in the room."
Saka's impact extends beyond the defensive line room and the defense as a whole. Just ask graduate student quarterback Preston Stone, who thanks his lucky stars for Braun's quick whistle in practice.
Stone, a member of the team's leadership council alongside Saka, said he can't wait to see the redshirt junior's production this season.
"He's pretty scary," Stone quipped. "If he's on the man side of protection with a one-on-one, usually you [have to] get the ball out pretty quick because Anto's a really special player."
For Saka, who has heard his name floated in 2026 NFL Draft conversations and generated palpable hype since he first arrived on campus as a four-star recruit ahead of the 2022 season, significant work remains ahead.
Saka's sights aren't set on accolades, recognition and personal glory. It's why the defensive end puts in countless hours when no scouts, coaches or even teammates are watching.
"My personal success really comes second to the success of the team," Saka said. "I want to be one of the best players in the Big Ten. I want to be one of the best players in the nation, but ultimately, I want to be one of the best players for this team and take them as far as we can go."
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