Payton Roth brings size, brains, and steady special-teams value to Northwestern
Payton Roth is a 6-foot-4, 225-pound redshirt junior linebacker for Northwestern who has become a dependable depth piece after appearing in all 13 games in 2025 and finishing with 8 tackles, including 6 solo stops. He’s not a flashy stat-sheet monster, but his appeal is his frame, versatility, and background as a two-way high school standout who also handled a heavy academic load—classic “coach’s favorite” material. For a team, he looks like a high-floor, developmental linebacker who can add toughness, special-teams utility, and reliable football IQ.
