Detail-oriented football. That’s what playing on the defensive line is all about. Paying attention to what seems to be a little thing can mean the difference between a 2-yard loss and a 70-yard touchdown. For Northwestern’s D-line, it’s all about the small details. That’s something that new defensive line coach Ross Kolodziej preaches to his players.
“There’s a healthy tension between cutting it loose and playing fast and free and executing our job to the highest detail,” Kolodziej said. “D-line play is
an aggressive, attacking style of play, and it’s about trying to free these guys up within the structure to be disruptors and playmakers.”
Kolodziej brings experience as both a former NFL defensive lineman and a defensive line coach in college for Power Four teams. One of those schools he was the D-line coach at was Wisconsin, so he is familiar with the Big Ten.
“The Big Ten is going to be a run-first league, and you have to earn the right to rush the passer,” Kolodziej said. “Stopping the run is paramount. That’s what this conference is about. It’s a physical brand of football that’s won up front in the trenches, and really it’s about smashing the run and earning the right to rush.”
While yes, there are exceptions to the run-first nature of Big Ten football, the ground game is often the focus for teams to help them open up their offense. Whether that’s with play action passes or run-pass options (RPOs), the run game is always the bread and butter. That’s why defensive line play is so important in the Big Ten.
Northwestern has a fair amount of returners on the D-line, headlined by defensive end Michael Kilbane and defensive tackle Brendan Flakes. Both players have spent their entire careers with the Wildcats, with Kilbane entering his fourth season and Flakes his fifth. As the two leaders of this defensive line group, they still focus on the small details and make sure that younger players know that as well. This goes very hand-in-hand with Kolodziej’s approach to coaching the defensive line, along with defensive line specialist Fred Wyatt, who has coached the D-line in his career and formerly played in the trenches for Northwestern.
“Coach Kolodziej and coach Wyatt are very detail oriented,” Kilbane said. “They really hone in on the little things and keep finding new ways for us to get better every single day. It’s awesome to have a new perspective of helping us get better.”
Development each year is something Northwestern football as a whole prides itself on. Aidan Hubbard, who is heading to the NFL, spent his entire career with the Wildcats, improving year after year. The same goes for Anto Saka, who recently transferred to Texas A&M. Kilbane is the next player who is looking to really take that next step and be a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten.
In 2025, Kilbane was second on the Wildcats with 3.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss, behind only Hubbard. He did lead all Northwestern defensive linemen in total tackles last season with 43 — Carmine Bastone was second in that category with 30. Kilbane is now set to be the head of the defensive line group.
“I feel like it’s been a pretty natural progression for me,” Kilbane said. “The past few years, my role has increased little by little, and now I feel like I’m ready.”
As for Flakes, he’s learned to trust himself more and be more physical as a defensive tackle. While he is a stronger run defender, Flakes believes he has yet to hit his “higher potential” in pass defense. To do so, it’s about focusing on his craft and ironing out the small details, like his decisiveness.
Flakes spoke about how Kolodziej has “simplified the defense” so the players could play “as fast as possible.” This includes them thinking less on the field to prevent stutter stepping or having high pads because of overthinking. Simplifying the defense allows for players like Flakes to do what they do best: going as hard as possible off the line.
Outside of these two Northwestern “vets” returning, the Wildcats have brought in three transfers to further bolster the defensive line: Ohio State’s Dominic Kirks, UCF’s Jamaal Johnson and Sacred Heart’s Glory Stephen-Wangboje. As for other returners, Tyler Gant’s name was brought up often as a player to watch.
“Tyler’s been banged up a lot throughout his career,” Flakes said. “I think this has been the healthiest he’s been, and he’s dominating every day. I’m excited to see him continue to flourish.”
Along with Gant, Callen Campbell — who had some buzz around him last spring — also has stood out to the coaching staff and players, with Kilbane describing him as a hard worker who has taken what players and coaches have taught him and incorporated that experience into his own craft.
“I think he’s going to have a great fall,” Kilbane said. “I’m really excited to see him continue to grow as a player.”
The growth of these Northwestern D-line players goes back to paying attention to the small details that Kolodziej puts at the forefront in his coaching. With the leaders of the team focusing on the small things, it creates an example to follow for everyone else, which will further help develop these players.
