An undrafted free safety out of Northern Illinois who turned a First-team All-MAC season into a roster shot with the Rams.
Nate Valcarcel is a rookie safety trying to carve out a role in the Los Angeles Rams' secondary after going unselected in the 2025 NFL draft. A ball-hawking, high-motor defender in college, he signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent and impressed enough in camp to be considered a strong candidate to stick on the roster.
Path to the league
Valcarcel began his college career at South Dakota in 2020 before transferring to Northern Illinois, where he played from 2021 through 2024. He went unselected in the 2025 NFL draft and signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent shortly afterward.
Career highlights
Over his time at Northern Illinois, Valcarcel appeared in 52 games and piled up 113 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, six interceptions, nine pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. His 2024 season was his best: he started every game at free safety and earned First-team All-MAC honors after leading the Huskies with three interceptions, which he returned for 57 yards.
2025 season recap
As an undrafted rookie, Valcarcel spent 2025 fighting for a roster spot in Los Angeles, with analysts pegging him among the Rams' undrafted free agents with a real chance to make the 53-man roster. Detailed regular-season statistics from his rookie year are not yet widely available, consistent with a player working through his first NFL training camp and preseason.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Nate Valcarcel
- Pro Football Reference: Nate Valcarcel
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Safety
- Group
- defense
- College
- Northern Illinois
- Hometown
- Greenfield, WI, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- active
