Linebacker Aaron Nagel is transferring from Notre Dame to Northwestern.

July 14, 2008

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Linebacker Aaron Nagel, a 2007 graduate of Lemont (Ill.) High School, is transferring to Northwestern University and will join the Wildcat football program next month. He will sit out the 2008 season due to NCAA transfer rules and then become eligible to play in the fall of 2009.

Nagel attended Notre Dame University in 2007-08, but was redshirted in his initial season in South Bend.

"We're thrilled to have Aaron join our program," said NU coach Pat Fitzgerald. "I began recruiting Aaron several years ago and know him and his family extremely well. He is a perfect fit for Northwestern and we're anxious to have him join our football family."

Aaron becomes the second member of the Nagel family to wear the purple and white as his younger brother, Brett, signed with the Wildcats in February and is an incoming freshman this year.

At Lemont, Nagel earned first-team all-state honors from the Chicago Tribune and he was ranked by several recruiting services as one of the state's top players. He earned an invitation to the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio and received the Doc Blanchard Award for the East team. That award annually goes to a player who best combines community service, football skills and grades.

Nagel was a member of the Dean's List in his first college year.