May 27, 2009

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern head football coach Pat Fitzgerald announced today (Wednesday, May 27) the addition of four non-scholarship student-athletes to the Wildcats' 2009 roster.

In recent years, scholarship reductions have increased the importance of attracting quality walk-ons to a football program. In addition, many walk-ons earn full scholarships while attending Northwestern. In the last 10 years, the Wildcats have awarded 26 full scholarships to walk-ons.

"Every year, our non-scholarship players make a huge impact on our program and we reward as many as possible," said Fitzgerald. "We're extremely pleased to welcome these four players to our football family."

Northwestern's four walk-ons for 2009 are defensive lineman Jake Gregus (Riverside, Ill./St. Laurence), long-snapper Pat Hickey (Chicago, Ill./Loyola Academy), defensive back Mike Jensen (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif./The Bishop's School) and punter Brandon Williams (Nappanee, Ind./NorthWood).

Northwestern begins preseason camp the weekend of Aug. 8 and 9, in preparation for its Sept. 5 home and season opener vs. Towson University.

The following are the biographies of NU's four walk-on student-athletes:

Jake Gregus
6-4 • 235
Riverside, Ill. • St. Laurence
Projected Position: Defensive Line

High School: An honorable mention all-area selection by Southtown Star and Regional Reporter newspapers ... First-team all-Catholic League (White) honoree ... Played defensive end, outside linebacker, offensive tackle and tight end during his St. Laurence career ... Four-year letterwinner and team captain ... Illinois Class 7A academic all-state selection ... Team's Academic MVP ... Totaled 81 tackles, 12 TFL's (six sacks), two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 2008 ... Helped the Vikings qualify for the IHSA state playoffs his junior and senior seasons ... St. Laurence went 6-6 and 7-5 his last two seasons ... As a freshman, helped St. Laurence's freshman team claim the Catholic League (White) title ... Member of the Viking Club (highest weightlifting honor) ... Also a team captain for the Vikings' track and field and basketball teams ... All-Catholic League (White) selection in track (sprinter) ... Ranked third in senior class (154 seniors) ... National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen, Chicago History Fair state finalist, Math Team state finalist, St. Laurence Leader and O'Toole Scholar, A-Honor Roll all four years, High Honors, Bronze medal for Scholastic Proficiency ... Coached by Jim Grannan.
Personal: Born Jacob Daniel Gregus ... Son of Dan and Tara Gregus ... Father, Dan, and uncle, Kurt, played football at Illinois ... Mother, Tara, was a track and cross country athlete at Illinois State ... Anticipated major is journalism.

Mike Jensen
6-0 • 185
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. • The Bishop's School
Projected Position: Defensive Back

High School: Named a Division III all-state defensive back in 2008 ... Tabbed the 2008 All-Coastal League Defensive Player of the Year ... All-county second-team selection as a senior ... Team MVP in 2008 and team's defensive MVP in 2007 ... Honored as a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete ... Team captain ... Recipient of the 2007 and 2008 CIF Championship game Sportsmanship Award ... Received The Bishop's School Knight of the Round Table Award in 2008, given for leadership, sportsmanship and character ... KBC Sports Player of the Game for Dec. 5, 2008 ... Helped the Knights go unbeaten (12-0) in 2007 and win the CIF championship ... Totaled 149 tackles, an interception and four sacks on defense ... Had 606 receiving yards and 750 rushing yards on offense ... Also starred in lacrosse, earning team MVP honors in 2008 ... Team captain ... Played three years on the RC Starz Elite club lacrosse team ... National Society of High School Scholars, 2007-08 Advanced Placement Honors student, 2008 College Board AP Scholar with Honors, President's Community Service Award, FCA President, Peer Support Leader and Teen Volunteer in Action Volunteer ... San Diego Union-Tribune All-Academic team in 2007 and 2008 ... Coached by Mike David.
Personal: Born Michael Paul Jensen ... Son of Tom and Teri Jensen ... Brother, Steve, played football at Dartmouth and was the 2001 Ivy League Rookie of the Year.

Pat Hickey
6-0 • 235
Chicago, Ill. • Loyola Academy
Projected Position: Long Snapper

High School: Lettered two years for the Ramblers, earning first-team All-Catholic League (Blue) honors ... Also earned special mention all-area from the Chicago Sun-Times ... Class 8A Academic All-State honoree ... Team MVP and captain for the Chicago Prep Bowl champions ... Played defensive tackle, linebacker, fullback and long snapper for the Ramblers ... Recorded a single-game-best 12 tackles vs. Mt. Carmel ... Helped the Ramblers finish 2008 with an 11-3 record ... Totaled 85 tackles (41 solos, 44 assists), 12 TFL's, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 2008 ... Also lettered two years for Loyola's hockey team (defenseman) ... National Scholar and First Academic Honors ... Played against these other 2009 NU newcomers: Evan Watkins, Patrick Ward, Jack Gregus and Anthony Battle ... Coached by John Holecek.
Personal: Born Patrick Laurence Hickey ... Son of Patrick Hickey and Bea Reyna-Hickey ... Joins former prep teammates Brian Mulroe and James Kurzawski at NU.

Brandon Williams
6-2 • 200
Nappanee, Ind. • NorthWood
Projected Position: Punter

High School: Two-time (2007 and 2008) first-team AP, Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA) and Indiana Football Digest (IFD)South Bend Tribune Dream Team selection (at punter) ... Named the Panthers' Special Teams MVP three times (2006-08) ... 2008 team captain ... Averaged 39.7 yards per career punt ... Also served as the team's place-kicker ... Played wide receiver and quarterback, too, for the Panthers ... Averaged 41.9 yards per punt his senior season ... Had a career-long 67-yard punt his senior year ... Selected to play in Indiana's 2009 North-South All-Star Game ... Helped the Panthers win sectional and regional crowns in 2008 ... Team won the state championship his freshman year ... Honor Roll, NHS, Class salutatorian, Four-year Scholar-Athlete, Moose Krause Scholar-Athlete Award ... Also lettered in track (400 meters, long jump) and basketball ... Coached by Rich Dodson.
Personal: Born Brandon Kyle Williams ... Son of Brian and Melanie Williams ... Interested in pursuing an engineering degree.

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