2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Xander Mueller, LB, Northwestern

Xander Mueller is a high motor LB for Northwestern University who’s always around the ball. Hula Bowl scout Solomon Sterling breaks him down as an NFL Prospect in his report.

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Xander Mueller, #34
School (Code)	Northwestern University (ILNW)
Class Yr	Grd
Height, Weight	6030e, 232e
40 Yd Dash	4.6-4.8e
Position/Depth	LB/1st
Honors/Captainship	All-BIG 3^rd Team, All-BIG Academic Team
Season Viewed (yr)	2022,2023, 2024
Games Watched	OHST (2022), INPU (2023), ILUN (2023), NCDU (2024)
Scout Name / Date	Solomon M. Sterling, 9-6-2024

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2023	110 TOT, 55 SOLO, 55 AST, 5 Sacks, 1 FF, 3 INTs, 2 PDs
2022	87 TOT, 53 SOLO, 34 AST, 3 Sacks, 1 FR, 2 INTs
2021	19 TOT, 9 SOLO, 10 AST, 0.5 Sacks, 1 FF, 1FR
2020	Redshirt

Player Summary:

Xander Mueller is a graduate student coming into his final year of eligibility at (ILNW). Has been moved around between inside and outside LB through his career. He has prototypical height, a broad upper body with thick arms. Lean in the hips and thigh area with very thick calves. Has adequate BMI that shows a strong potential to add some more weight to his body frame. All-BIG honors on and off the field. Finished 4^th in the BIG in tackles, led ILNW in TFLs 2 straight seasons, and is only the 3^rd BIG player to post 100 TOT, 5 Sacks, and 3INTs in the last 25 years.

Adequate foot quickness. Has a solid ability to read and react at the LOS. Can at times overshoot gaps and run himself past the play. Has a high motor, showing good balance and explosion off the football. Fills holes to force the ball carrier to bounce or cut back into the flow of the defense. Sometimes struggles to get off blocks, occasionally gets stood up and washed down due to lack of size. Has a strong nose for the football, very physical presence around the LOS, runs sideline to sideline, tackles with good pop and pad-level, solid form at the POA, able to wrap and drive to the ground. Below-average in coverage. Little stiff with his drops but very instinctive when it comes to attacking the football. Has 3INTs all on tip passes. Above average 1on1 tackler in the hole and in space. Run stopper, just an overall gamer at the LB position.