Redshirt freshman linebacker for Fresno State. 2026: 3 games with a box-score line.
6′2″ · 200 lb · Concord, CA · De La Salle HS
The numbers
tackles · 2026 · through week 3
3 games into 2026 so far -- Best game: 1 tackles, 0.5 TFL, vs Sacramento State
His career numbers, season by seasonThe story
Redshirt freshman linebacker for Fresno State. 2026: 3 games with a box-score line.
Niko Baumgartner
Second year in the Fresno State linebacker corps, same address the whole way. The receipt on tape: 1 tackles against San José State, Week 3, 2026.
3 TACKLES · 0 SACKS
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
His career
Career arc
| Season | Team | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Fresno State | 3 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- |
| 2025 | Fresno State | 1 | -- | 0.0 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- |
| Career | 4 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- |
Game by game
Point color shows the opponent's defensive strength that week (red = weaker defense, blue = stronger) — dashed line is this player's own season average.
Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 3 games
| Wk | Opp | TKL | SOLO | TFL | SACK | INT | PD | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | L 0-39@ USC | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | Season-high 1 tackles |
| Wk 2 | W 49-3vs Sacramento State | 1 | 0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Wk 3 | W 26-10@ San José State | 1 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Total | 3 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | — | 0 |
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 3 · 2026
W 26–10
1 tackles · 1 solo tackles
With N. Verdugo — 40.9 yards per punt · 7 punts · 4 inside the 20 · J. Mandal — 186 yds · 1 TD · 0 INT · QBR 52.3 · 46 rush yds (9 car)
Since week 2: +1 tackle.
Season context · Team result + system
2 seasons under Matt Entz — 11-5 over that span.
Where this defender ranks vs the field
Box-score production percentiles vs the position cohort
Concern: tackles (0th percentile).
Percentiles are versus same-position peers with enough snaps this season, based on box-score production. There are no play-by-play efficiency bars here: CFBD's play-value model credits offensive players only, so no defensive EPA exists to rank.
Splits · Per-game
2026 season · 3 games
Home vs Road
| TKL/g | TFL/g | SACK/g | PD/g | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home1g | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Road2g | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
First half vs Second half
| TKL/g | TFL/g | SACK/g | PD/g | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-73g | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Matt Entz
Pass share
42.7%
73 pass / 98 run
Plays / game
57.0
3 games
Team sack rate
4.9%
81 dropbacks · PBP
Scheme: Run-leaning, slow tempo.
Player standing · 2026
On the two-deep and pushing for snaps.
The No. 2,994 recruit in the country is starting at linebacker in the Pac-12 as a redshirt freshman.
2025 (FRESHMAN): Appeared in four games, primarily as a special teams contributor … had two tackles on the year … redshirted. HIGH SCHOOL: Attended De La Salle High School … lettered and started three years on varsity … helped his high school win the section title all three seasons … Rated a…
5 more on the roster · Fresno State team page