Northwestern University Athletics

2025 Signing Day Roster

May 30, 2025, Evanston, IL: Evanston, IL: Northwestern Football hosts recruits for an Official Visit at Walter Athletics Center in Evanston, IL on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Photo by Griffin Quinn/Northwestern Athletics)

Johnny O’Brien

  • Height:
    6-3
  • Weight:
    205
  • Position:
    QB
  • Class:
    First-Year
  • Hometown:
    Palatine, Illinois
  • High School:
    William Fremd
High School: 
  • Committed to Northwestern on June 15, 2024
  • Logged 8,395 total yards and 93 total touchdowns as a three-year starter at Fremd
  • Named the 2024 Cook County Player of the Year in both football and baseball by the Daily Herald
  • Helped guide Fremd to a program-record 11 wins and its first-ever state semifinal appearance as a senior
  • Tossed 306 yards and four touchdowns in victory over Lyons to seal Fremd’s first quarterfinal appearance since 2009
  • Amassed 3,534 total yards and 41 touchdowns as a junior
  • Competed alongside offensive line commit Owen Jakubczak
  • High school coach at Fremd was Lou Sponsel
  • Chose Northwestern over Western Michigan
Football - National Signing Day - David Braun Press Conference (12/3/25)
Thursday, December 04
Football - Northwestern Falls in Snowy Regular-Season Finale (11/29/25)
Sunday, November 30
Football - Illinois Postgame Press Conference (11/29/25)
Sunday, November 30
Football - Minnesota Cinematic Recap (11/22/25)
Tuesday, November 25