Jack Rummell’s Journey Culminates in North Central College’s Stagg Bowl Bid
North Central College (NCC) is one step closer to claiming its fourth national title, propelled by the remarkable performance of senior wide receiver Jack Rummell and a team built on positive experiences and transfer success.The Cardinals defeated No.8 John Carroll 41-21 in the NCAA Division III national semifinals on Saturday,december 20,2025,at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium,securing a place in the Stagg Bowl.
Rummell’s path to Naperville was anything but conventional. His journey took him from Hampshire to Thompson’s Station, Tennessee, to Tennessee Tech, before ultimately reuniting with his brother Nic at North Central. “he moved in high school during COVID so he could play,” a senior coach explained. “He wasn’t having the experience he wanted at Tennessee Tech. For Jack, the connection was his brother, who is on the staff now.”
On Saturday,Rummell’s impact was undeniable. He recorded a career-high 179 receiving yards and two touchdowns on six receptions, including a crucial 71-yard touchdown connection with sophomore quarterback Garret Wilson – the Cardinals’ longest play of the season. He also added a 31-yard touchdown on a third-down play, showcasing his ability to make game-changing plays. “I always tell him to do something cool, and that third-and-8 was pretty cool,” Wilson said. “When a guy is hot, you want to get him the ball as much as possible. We were able to build that connection in the offseason. (Saturday) was a big one for him.”
Unfortunately, Rummell sustained an injury while attempting to score his third touchdown in the third quarter and did not return to the game. He was unavailable for post-game comment as a precaution.
Despite the setback, the Cardinals’ dominant performance was bolstered by a strong defensive showing. With NCC leading 21-0 late in the second quarter,senior defensive tackle Eli Renick intercepted a pass and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown. “What was going through my head was ‘I’m probably about to get caught,'” Renick recounted. “It said 60 yards, and it felt longer than that. as soon as I stepped in the end zone, I was like, ‘Holy crap, I scored a touchdown.’ That was the biggest play of my life so far.”
North Central (14-0) will face no. 4 Wisconsin-river Falls (13-1) in the Stagg Bowl on January 4 in Canton, Ohio. A victory would mark the Cardinals’ fourth national championship and their sixth consecutive appearance in the title game. “We’re super excited and feel very fortunate and blessed to be in this position to go back to another Stagg Bowl,” the head coach stated. “it’s about our guys having a first-class experience, and we’ve been able to have the chance to do that the last five years.”
While senior Thomas Skokna remains the Cardinals’ leading receiver, Wilson has increasingly relied on Rummell as a dependable target. This reliance mirrors the success NCC has found with other transfers, including Wilson himself, who arrived from Oklahoma State, and senior kicker Aidan ellison, a transfer from Arkansas State and recent recipient of the Fred Mitchell Award. The program’s appeal extends beyond top-tier facilities or Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. “I really take great pride in having transfers come in who are about the right things and want to be about the program and not worried about having personal success,” the coach explained. “They didn’t come here for NIL or the best facilities in the world. They wanted to be part of a program.”
The coach’s success is reflected in his record: 58-1 in his fourth season, earning him recognition as the American Football Coaches Association’s Division III coach of the year. Jack Rummell’s story is a testament to the program’s ability to cultivate talent and foster a winning culture, proving that a positive experience can be the ultimate recruiting tool.