Maverick Ohle’s Journey to North Central College
Maverick Ohle, a graduate of Naperville Central, transferred from Ohio University to North Central College last year. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 282 pounds, the defensive tackle quickly made his presence felt in the NCAA Division III realm during his sophomore year.
A Strategic Move
“I knew I would come here and be part of a successful program and be close to home,” Ohle stated. “Choosing North Central College was easy. If you aim for success in Division III, this is the place to be.”
Filling Big Shoes
Ohle is a crucial component in North Central College’s strategy to replace John Sullivan, last season’s Division III defensive player of the year by The Associated Press. Sullivan, originally from Lakes, was instrumental in helping the Cardinals reach the national championship game for the sixth time in a row. Following a period of adjustment alongside Sullivan, Ohle is prepared to assume a leadership role.
Building a Defensive Powerhouse
This season, Ohle and Graham Wight, who switched from defensive end to tackle, made a resolution. “We knew defensive tackle spots were for Graham and me,” Ohle explained. “We worked all offseason, knowing I needed to step up.”
Their first opportunity to showcase this effort will be on Saturday when the top-ranked Cardinals face No. 2 Bethel at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in Naperville.
Obviously guys like JP don’t grow on trees. You want your leaders that graduate to be remembered, not missed. That cycle, we’re used to it.— Brad Spencer, NCC coach.
Ohle’s Performance and Growth
Last season, Ohle recorded 35 tackles with seven for losses and two sacks. He earned All-CCIW first-team and All-Region third-team accolades, but his journey required patience. “It took some time because of JP Sullivan. He was an amazing player,” Ohle remarked. “At first, playing alongside him was hard due to the attention he drew. But as we grew in our roles, we enhanced each other’s play.”
NCC coach Brad Spencer noted, “The sky is the limit for Mav. We’ve known this since he was 17. He’s put the work in, and there’s trust.”
Transition from Ohio University
Ohle experienced the business side of college football at Ohio University quickly. Following the 2024 MAC championship, coach Tim Albin resigned to join Charlotte. The news hit on a bus ride back to Ohio, a day before Ohle’s birthday. “The future was uncertain,” Ohle said. “I knew I had to enter the portal.”
Returning to Naperville, Ohle integrated swiftly into the Cardinals’ framework. “North Central is its own community,” he shared. “It’s distinct from the rest of Naperville. The relationships have been incredible.”
Report by Paul Johnson, Freelance Reporter