Illinois State linebacker Tye Niekamp is a tackling machine, and he enters his senior season in 2026 looking to cap off an illustrious career.
In three seasons, he is a three-time All-MVFC selection and a three-time All-American.
Niekamp was born in Spokane, Washington, while his father, Travis, coached linebackers at Eastern Washington. After EWU, Travis spent time at Washington State, Louisiana-Monroe, and Montana before making his way to Illinois State, where he has been the defensive coordinator for eight seasons. Tye didn’t have to go far to continue his playing career, going from Normal Community High School to Illinois State.
After redshirting in 2022, he arrived on the national scene as a redshirt freshman in 2023. Niekamp recorded 74 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and seven pass breakups. He was named an FCS Freshman All-American, the MVFC Freshman of the Year, All-MVFC Second Team, MVFC All-Newcomer Team, and finished fourth in the Jerry Rice Award voting.
The 2024 campaign was even better for Niekamp.
At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, he didn’t look or play like an underclassman. Just a sophomore, Niekamp tallied 112 tackles, 11 TFLs, three sacks, four interceptions, and eight pass breakups. He earned multiple All-American accolades along with All-MVFC First Team honors.
Last season saw several more All-American nods come his way. Niekamp was making plays all over the field, leading the FCS with 160 tackles (9.4 per game), including 16 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, four QB hurries, one interception, and nine pass breakups.
He earned another spot on the All-MVFC First Team while being named the MVFC Defensive Player of the Year. Niekamp finished No. 8 in Buck Buchanan Award voting.
Niekamp played a major role in Illinois State’s historic playoff run. The Redbirds were the first team in FCS playoff history to win four straight road games en route to the national championship game. In the title bout, the Redbirds dropped a 35-34 overtime heartbreaker to Montana State.
As the page turns to 2026, Illinois State faces an unknown at the quarterback position. But the Redbirds return a solid core from the 2025 squad.
Niekamp anchors the defense alongside his brother, Dexter, plus standout defensive back La’Shavion Brown, linebacker Mason Kaplan, and DB Doreon Dubose.
The offensive returns three linemen who logged 700 or more snaps (Landon Woodard, Logan Brasfield, Brayden Jellison), plus Ben Wallace, who played nearly 400 snaps. Also returning are star running back Victor Dawson and two young standout wide receivers in Dylan Lord and Luke Mailander.
