Garret Wilson didn’t expect his story to lead to Naperville. He didn’t expect to step into a national title game, or to find the kind of brotherhood that would redefine what football meant to him. But that’s exactly what happened at North Central – where the game, the people and the culture offered him something rare: joy.
 
A quarterback who once walked into Division I meeting rooms and junior college dorms, Wilson now stands behind a Division III offensive line with a message that’s simple and honest: “D3 football is the purest form of football that we have in today’s world,” he said. “There are no athletic scholarships … guys are purely here because they want to play football.”
 
For Wilson, that purity is what makes Division III special. It’s what makes North Central feel like home.
 
Finding the Right Fit
Before North Central, Wilson’s path zigzagged. He began at Oklahoma State, then spent time at a junior college. Each stop taught him something about football – and about what he truly wanted from it. “I’ve seen a different side of just college athletics,” he said. “There’s not much difference. Football is football, and coaches are good coaches. It’s not a drastic difference – other than facilities and money.”
 
What changed most was his perspective. “My perspective changed going from Oklahoma State to juco to here,” he said. “I wanted to have fun playing football again – and be around good guys that have the same life goals and aspirations.”
 
That search for joy, for the right people and the right environment, led him to North Central. “I literally looked up ‘best Division III schools,’” he said. “North Central was at the top. I reached out, and here I am.”
 
His decision was a good one. The Cardinals’ signal caller started all 15 games last fall and completed 210 of 301 passes for 3,080 yards and 42 touchdowns, posting a 69.8 percent completion rate. He tied a program record with six touchdown passes against Millikin on Oct. 11 and added 394 rushing yards with four touchdowns on 74 carries. 
 
He led Division III in passing efficiency at 197.8 and earned First Team All-CCIW honors, D3football.com Offensive Player of the Year recognition, First Team All-Region 5 honors from D3football.com, Associated Press Second Team All-America honors and D3football.com Third Team All-America distinction. He quarterbacked NCC all the way to the Stagg Bowl, the Cardinals’ sixth consecutive appearance in the Division III championship game.
 
The Power of Culture
When Wilson arrived in Naperville, the culture met him at the door. “One of our captain receivers last year, Thomas Skokna, was the first guy to reach out to me,” he said. “He asked if we could go get dinner. After that, it was another guy and another guy just wanting to get to know me.”
 
That simple gesture became a pattern. “They really brought me into the family,” Wilson said. “The family at North Central is unlike anything I’ve been a part of. The guys want to be around each other 24/7. It’s a brotherhood.”
 
He felt it off the field, too. “Naperville is beautiful. It’s hard to stay bored,” he said. “When you’re only an hour from Chicago, there’s so much to do. And having guys to do stuff with makes it even better.”
 
The Point of Division III
Division III isn’t always about headlines or highlight reels – it’s about balance. It’s about athletes who are students, teammates who are friends and seasons built on discipline more than dollar signs. “You’re going to develop not only as a football player, but as a human being,” Wilson said. “D3 schools usually academically are more challenging, and getting a degree is a lot more important.”
 
He’s seen the growth firsthand. “The difference from the freshmen that came in and how they are right now is insane, not just football-wise, but how they go about their everyday life,” he said. “The disciplines they’ve learned here will carry them throughout their whole life.”
 
And he’s quick to push back against misconceptions. “People think there aren’t quality athletes at this level,” he said. “But our defensive tackle and corner just had their pro days and their numbers would’ve been top five in multiple tests. It’s quality football. There are legit athletes here.”
 
Replacing a Legend
At North Central, Wilson stepped into big shoes. He succeeded Luke Lehnen – one of the most decorated quarterbacks in Division III history. That could have been overwhelming. Instead, it became freeing. “They weren’t looking for another Luke Lehnen,” Wilson said. “They just wanted the best Garret Wilson they could get.”
 
That belief gave him confidence. “My job was just to get our athletes the ball,” he said. “They made it really easy on me this year.”
 
More Than Football
Ask Wilson what he loves most about North Central, and he doesn’t hesitate. “The guys are the best part,” he said. “Life’s about experiences, and when you’ve got guys you want to experience things with, it makes it a lot better.”
 
He’s found balance, too. “Being a student-athlete is still a job,” he said. “But there’s definitely free time to hang out with your buddies and enjoy life.”
 
Lessons and Legacy 
For recruits considering Division III, Wilson’s advice is clear. “You’re going to develop as a person,” he said. “And you’re going to build relationships for four years. Guys want to stay because they love the culture.”
 
It’s a message he carries into every practice, every meeting, every day. “Just enjoy it,” he said. “Take it one day at a time. Build relationships. Have fun.”
 
Looking Ahead
Spring practices are underway, and Wilson’s focus is simple. “Just getting some of these young guys caught up to speed and looking to make another run at it,” he said. “I’m just trying to get bigger, faster, stronger, and have another good season.”
 
For Wilson, that’s what Division III is: a place to grow, to compete, and to love the game. “We think winning is pretty fun,” he said with a grin. “And we do that a lot.”