The Northwestern Wildcats football team voted on a prestigious award that was given to a high achieving teammate.
Northwestern football's defense is a wild card headed into the 2026 season with several players expected to take on new roles under defensive coordinator Tim McGarigle.
One player McGarigle knows he can count on is Robert Fitzgerald, the Wildcats' fifth-year defensive back who led the team in both solo and assisted tackles last season and was second in tackles for loss.
Fitzgerald has garnered preseason All-Big Ten hype with the Wildcats preparing for what figures to be a game opponent in the South Dakota Jackrabbits next Saturday in Evanston, Ill.
On Wednesday, he was given a significant honor from his teammates that shows how much they appreciate his talent, leadership and work ethic for coach David Braun's team.
Nov 7, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back King Miller (30) runs the ball against Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Robert Fitzgerald (6) during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Fitzgerald Earns #1 Jersey
Fitzgerald wore number six with the Wildcats last season but will don a new number in 2026 for coach Braun's team.
According to a release from the Wildcats, Fitzgerald has been given the team's prestigious #1 jersey after a vote from his teammates.
"Number One: Voted upon by his teammates, the Number 1 Jersey is awarded annually to a player who embodies what it means to be a Wildcat in the community, in the classroom, and on the field," the release stated.
"It's the highest honor in the Wildcat program," the release added.
Fitzgerald is one of six Northwestern captains and played high school football at Dallas Jesuit High School in Dallas, Texas.
A redshirt senior, he stands 6-feet-tall and weighs 210 pounds.
Last season, Fitzgerald earned Second Team All-Big Ten Honors and started all 13 games at safety for Braun's 7-6 Wildcats.
'Iron Sharpens Iron' as Wildcats Season Begins
Practice reports of the Wildcats' revamped offense under new coordinator Chip Kelly have added to optimism for a better season in 2026, which also calls into question how successful McGarigle and Fitzgerald's unit will be this time around.
The Wildcats' offense is loaded with talented, experienced players which has placed a tremendous, but healthy, amount of strain and pressure on Fitzgerald as the defense's leader.
The hope is that the "iron" of the Wildcats' offense will sharpen the iron of the Wildcats' defense as they continue to forge each other each week in practice.
A Week 1 test against rising FCS star Chase Mason and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits will provide plenty of clues as to how Fitzgerald's unit will perform this season.
A strong performance by the Wildcats defense could lead to a sizeable Week 1 win, and a new outlook on the season for Northwestern fans eager for their first Big Ten title since 2000.
