Nate Valcarcel Safety NIU 2025 Tropical Bowl

Position Safety
Class Senior
Ht./Wt. 6-1 / 192
Hometown Greenfield, WI.
Highschool Whitnall HS

2023
• In his first season as a starter, made 46 tackles and a team-leading three interceptions from his safety position.
• Totaled 1.5 tackles for loss, half a sack and a pass break up.
• Received second team All-MAC accolades from Phil Steele.
• Picked up a fumble and returned it 50 yards for his first career touchdown at Toledo (9-30).
• Credited with four tackles in Camellia Bowl win over Arkansas State (12-23).
• Led NIU with a career-high nine tackles at Nebraska (9-16).
• Recorded a turnover for the fourth straight game with an interception against Ohio (10-14) which he returned 33 yards.
• Had three tackles at Kent State in NIU’s bowl-clinching win (11-25).
• Made two tackles and recorded a sack in the Huskies’ shut out of Western Michigan (11-14).
• Totaled five stops in the Ball State game (11-7).
• Had an interception and two tackles in win at Akron (10-7).
• Recorded his first career interception against Tulsa (9-23).
• Posted five stops, including one for loss, in win at Boston College (9-2).
• Named most improved player on defense following spring practices.

2022
•   Played in all 12 games on special teams and as a reserve safety.
•   Contributed on the kickoff, kickoff return and punt return teams.
•   Totaled 10 tackles, seven solo, with one half tackle for loss on the year.
•   Credited with two solo stops in NIU’s wins at Eastern Michigan (10-15) and Western Michigan (11-9).
•   Made a season-high three tackles – all solo – versus Akron (11-19).
•   In on a tackle for loss at Ohio (10-22).

2021
•   Saw action in all 14 games as a member of the kickoff coverage and punt return units.
•   Recorded five solo tackles throughout the season.
•   Made a season-best two stops at Kent State (11-3).
•   Accounted for one tackle at Georgia Tech (9-4), at Central Michigan (10-23) and vs. Ball State (11-10).

PRIOR TO NIU
Spring 2021 at South Dakota
• Played in four games at South Dakota in Spring 2021.
• Primarily saw action on special teams as one of 10 true freshmen to compete.

HIGH SCHOOL
• Played running back and defensive back at Whitnall.
• Earned first team All-State and All-Region honors as a senior.
• Also collected all-conference honors on offense and defense.
• Rushed for 1,824 yards and 28 touchdowns in eight games in 2019.
• Recorded 41 tackles with a tackle for loss and a sack.
• Returned three punts for 105 yards with a touchdown and seven kickoffs for 133 yards in 2019.
• Ran for 530 yards and three touchdowns in five games as a junior.
• Made 23 tackles on defense in 2018.
• Three-sport athlete also played basketball and competed in track and field.

PERSONAL
• Birthday is May 23rd.
• Son of Julie and Moises Valcarcel.
• Majoring in organizational and corporate communications.