Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Griffin Quinn / Northwestern Athletics
Evan Beerntsen ‘Exceeds Expectations’ as Key NU Interior Lineman
11/4/2025 7:03:00 PM | Football
Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football coach David Braun figured he knew what Northwestern had in store when Evan Beerntsen committed to the program as a graduate transfer in early January.
A three-year starter at South Dakota State, the 6-foot-4, 310-pound interior lineman earned First Team All-MVFC honors in 2024 and won a pair of FCS national titles in 2022 and 2023. Beernsten had been around the college game for more than a half-decade and was sure to bring a veteran voice to a new-look offensive line room.
But through eight games with the Wildcats, Beerntsen continues to astonish his head coach.
"I was telling a pro scout the other day — and this isn't a knock on Evan, who we were thrilled to get into the program — he has exceeded expectations," Braun said. "What a credit to Evan just in terms of being able to make that adjustment from the FCS level into the Big Ten. It all started with a great approach in the winter, a great spring ball, a great summer, a great fall camp."
Carving out a Day One starting role at right guard, Beerntsen has helped facilitate a resurgent Northwestern rushing attack that ranks fifth in the Big Ten at 187.9 yards per game. In the passing game, Beerntsen has emerged in a class of his own.
According to Pro Football Focus, Beerntsen is the lone Big Ten interior lineman with a minimum of 500 blocking snaps yet to surrender a sack or quarterback hit this season. The Green Bay, Wis., native credits the collective offensive line for his individual success.
"The biggest thing is it always takes a while for new O-lines to gel," Beerntsen said. "We trusted the process. We trusted each other. It's just a group of guys that keeps fighting. I've seen this before with the 2022 national championship team [at SDSU]. You see rotation sometimes, just finding the best guys that gel together and make it spin."
Last winter, Beerntsen departed his comfort zone as he embarked on his final collegiate chapter in Evanston. He spent six seasons in Brookings, S.D., developing from a former high school tight end and defensive lineman into an FCS All American at right guard.
Soon, Beerntsen would actualize a childhood dream of playing Big Ten football — in a facility that boasted a significant Jackrabbit contingent.
He committed to the program having worked extensively with offensive coordinator Zach Lujan and had forged a bond with defensive line coach Christian Smith. His SDSU teammate Griffin Wilde became his new roommate in Evanston. Then, Braun brought former Jackrabbit offensive coordinator Ryan Olson on staff as an assistant offensive line coach.
"There's a mindset we like to bring to the table, and Northwestern has its own things it brings to the table," Beerntsen said. "When you combine them, it makes everybody a little bit better. I love having coach Olson here. I've had him for such a long time. Coach [Bill] O'Boyle is great, too. He's been around the game for a long time."
"Having two great minds come together and help me be the best o-lineman I can be, I just couldn't ask for anything better than that."
Beerntsen said he's taken it upon himself to help mentor his younger teammates and remain open for any questions they may have. He sees a bit of himself in many of the team's underclassmen lineman, including redshirt first-year and starting left guard Ezomo Oratokhai.
For Oratokhai, who said he's seen a "night and day" difference in his position group from game weeks 1 to 9, Beerntsen serves as a consistent role model.
"He's super aggressive and very intentional with everything he does," Oratokhai said of Beerntsen. "That's something I'm really trying to pick up — his aggressiveness and the way he's able to finish guys to the ground, finish through the play. I'm trying to learn from him every single day, every practice, every day."
Humble beginnings and faith in the process encapsulated Beerntsen's rise from a zero-star recruit with no FBS offers to a punishing presence in Big Ten trenches. Four regular-season games remain for Beerntsen and the 'Cats, the next of which will take the midwest native to the LA Coliseum's bright lights on Friday night against USC.
As his collegiate journey nears its conclusion, Beerntsen said he has just one goal in mind: win out.
"I'm taking everything in, the practices, just hanging out with the guys, that's the thing you're going to miss the most," Beerntsen said. "That's the thing I'm already missing the most. It goes by so quickly."
A three-year starter at South Dakota State, the 6-foot-4, 310-pound interior lineman earned First Team All-MVFC honors in 2024 and won a pair of FCS national titles in 2022 and 2023. Beernsten had been around the college game for more than a half-decade and was sure to bring a veteran voice to a new-look offensive line room.
But through eight games with the Wildcats, Beerntsen continues to astonish his head coach.
"I was telling a pro scout the other day — and this isn't a knock on Evan, who we were thrilled to get into the program — he has exceeded expectations," Braun said. "What a credit to Evan just in terms of being able to make that adjustment from the FCS level into the Big Ten. It all started with a great approach in the winter, a great spring ball, a great summer, a great fall camp."
Carving out a Day One starting role at right guard, Beerntsen has helped facilitate a resurgent Northwestern rushing attack that ranks fifth in the Big Ten at 187.9 yards per game. In the passing game, Beerntsen has emerged in a class of his own.
According to Pro Football Focus, Beerntsen is the lone Big Ten interior lineman with a minimum of 500 blocking snaps yet to surrender a sack or quarterback hit this season. The Green Bay, Wis., native credits the collective offensive line for his individual success.
"The biggest thing is it always takes a while for new O-lines to gel," Beerntsen said. "We trusted the process. We trusted each other. It's just a group of guys that keeps fighting. I've seen this before with the 2022 national championship team [at SDSU]. You see rotation sometimes, just finding the best guys that gel together and make it spin."
Last winter, Beerntsen departed his comfort zone as he embarked on his final collegiate chapter in Evanston. He spent six seasons in Brookings, S.D., developing from a former high school tight end and defensive lineman into an FCS All American at right guard.
Soon, Beerntsen would actualize a childhood dream of playing Big Ten football — in a facility that boasted a significant Jackrabbit contingent.
He committed to the program having worked extensively with offensive coordinator Zach Lujan and had forged a bond with defensive line coach Christian Smith. His SDSU teammate Griffin Wilde became his new roommate in Evanston. Then, Braun brought former Jackrabbit offensive coordinator Ryan Olson on staff as an assistant offensive line coach.
"There's a mindset we like to bring to the table, and Northwestern has its own things it brings to the table," Beerntsen said. "When you combine them, it makes everybody a little bit better. I love having coach Olson here. I've had him for such a long time. Coach [Bill] O'Boyle is great, too. He's been around the game for a long time."
"Having two great minds come together and help me be the best o-lineman I can be, I just couldn't ask for anything better than that."
Beerntsen said he's taken it upon himself to help mentor his younger teammates and remain open for any questions they may have. He sees a bit of himself in many of the team's underclassmen lineman, including redshirt first-year and starting left guard Ezomo Oratokhai.
For Oratokhai, who said he's seen a "night and day" difference in his position group from game weeks 1 to 9, Beerntsen serves as a consistent role model.
"He's super aggressive and very intentional with everything he does," Oratokhai said of Beerntsen. "That's something I'm really trying to pick up — his aggressiveness and the way he's able to finish guys to the ground, finish through the play. I'm trying to learn from him every single day, every practice, every day."
Humble beginnings and faith in the process encapsulated Beerntsen's rise from a zero-star recruit with no FBS offers to a punishing presence in Big Ten trenches. Four regular-season games remain for Beerntsen and the 'Cats, the next of which will take the midwest native to the LA Coliseum's bright lights on Friday night against USC.
As his collegiate journey nears its conclusion, Beerntsen said he has just one goal in mind: win out.
"I'm taking everything in, the practices, just hanging out with the guys, that's the thing you're going to miss the most," Beerntsen said. "That's the thing I'm already missing the most. It goes by so quickly."
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