Ian Whitaker - CCIW Defensive Player of the Week

Whitaker Tabbed CCIW Co-Defensive Player of the Week

Fifth weekly award of the season for IWU

11/3/2025 4:00:00 PM

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - Illinois Wesleyan University football's junior linebacker Ian Whitaker (Bloomington, Ill.-Central Catholic) picked up the first weekly College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin award of his career Monday afternoon, Nov. 3. Whitaker was named the CCIW's Co-Defensive Player of the Week following a career day at Augustana College, Nov. 1.

Monday's announcement marked the fifth weekly award of the season for the Titans. He, along with Dermot Smyth (twice), Will Nazha, and Matt Worthington have all reeled in weekly nods in Jared Williamson's first season at the helm. Furthermore, he is the first IWU player to snag defensive player of the week honors since Zach McNees did so Sept. 30, 2024.

Whitaker racked up a career-high 11 tackles in Illinois Wesleyan's loss at Augie. He was a menace behind the line of scrimmage, notching four tackles for loss, including a strip sack. The Bloomington, Ill. native's career-best four TFLs are the most in the conference this season and serve as the highest total by a player in the CCIW since North Central's Martin Egbo tallied six at North Park Oct. 28, 2023.

Whitaker and the Titans return home for one final game in Tucci Stadium Saturday, Nov. 8. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m against Carroll University.

2025 CCIW Football Student-Athletes of the Week
Offensive
Nov. 3: Donovan McNeal, North Central
Oct. 27: Thomas Skokna, North Central
Oct. 20: Dermot Smyth, Illinois Wesleyan
Oct. 13: Thomas Skokna, North Central
Oct. 6: Fred Ware, WashU
Sept. 29: Dermot Smyth, Illinois Wesleyan
Sept. 22: Garret Wilson, North Central
Sept. 15: Jereme Ombogo, North Park

Defensive
Nov. 3: Ian Whitaker, Illinois Wesleyan; DJ Johnson, North Park
Oct. 27: Zeke Harris, Wheaton
Oct. 20: Toby Splitt, Augustana
Oct. 13: Brady WIllmer, WashU
Oct. 6: Bobby Medina, North Central
Sept. 29: Colin Moore, Wheaton
Sept. 22: Rex Kroger, Wheaton
Sept. 15: Alex Araiza, Millikin

Special Teams
Nov. 3: Myles Walton, North Central
Oct. 27: Will Nazha, Illinois Wesleyan
Oct. 20: Matt Worthington, Illinois Wesleyan
Oct. 13: Matthew Swink, Carroll; Aidan Ellison, North Central
Oct. 6: Matias Adrogue, WashU
Sept. 29: Aidan Ellison, North Central
Sept. 22: Matthew Swink, Carroll
Sept. 15: Wesley McCloud, North Park

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