National Football Foundation

Center
Economics – 3.56 GPA
Head Coach: Pat Fitzgerald
Athletics Director: Jim Phillips

Northwestern center Brandon Vitabile is the quintessential scholar-athlete. A four-year mainstay on the Wildcats’ offensive line, he becomes the school’s fourth NFF National Scholar-Athlete.

Vitabile graduated from Northwestern University last spring with a degree in economics and a minor in business institutions. He is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. Throughout his career as a Wildcat, Vitabile held a 3.56 GPA, and he was twice named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. NFL.com named him one of 2014’s “Smartest Players in College Football.”

Vitabile has started every game of his college career, and he entered the 2014 season as one of only eight offensive linemen in the country to have an active streak of 38 or more starts in a row. A two-year team captain, he earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten accolades as a junior. Vitabile helped the 2012 Northwestern team rank first in the Big Ten in fewest sacks allowed and fourth in rushing offense with 225.5 yards per game. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound center played a key role in the Wildcat quarterbacks completing 63.1 percent of their passes last season. Playing for Coach Pat Fitzgerald (a College Football Hall of Fame inductee), Vitabile led the Wildcats to consecutive bowl berths, including a win in the 2012 Gator Bowl.

Outside of school and football, Vitabile plays an active role in the community. He participated in the Uplifting Athletes “Lift for Life” event and is active in the Youth Impact program. He visited Lurie Children’s Hospital, and he has volunteered for Campus Kitchens and the Evanston School Clothing Association distribution. Vitabile was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent after the 2015 NFL Draft.