Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324. Story written by secondary contact Alex Mielcarz, Athletics Communication Graduate Assistant, ajmielcarz@noctrl.edu

ARLINGTON, Texas (Oct. 6, 2026) – Former North Central College football standout John Sullivan '25 earned an invitation to training camp with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL) after a strong showing at a recent UFL Showcase.

Sullivan was awarded the Cliff Harris Award last season, recognizing the best defensive player in NCAA Division II, III and NAIA levels, making him the first player in Cardinal history to be bestowed the honor.

He was recognized as a First-Team All-American by D3Football.com, the American Football Coaches Association and the Associated Press. The Associated Press also awarded Sullivan NCAA Division III Defensive Player of the Year Honors, while D3Football.com recognized Sullivan as the Region 5 Defensive Player of the Year.

In his decorated career, Sullivan was a part of four national championship games, two of which the Cardinals won. He claimed College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Defensive Player of the Year honors twice.

His senior season was by far his best. Sullivan collected 73 tackles, 22 for loss, eight pass breakups and eight sacks. 38 of his 73 tackles were solo takedowns.

"The combination of John's size and short-area quickness really stood out," St. Louis Battlehawks Head Coach Ricky Proehl said in a UFL release. "His ability to change direction should translate well and give us another guy who can create pressure from the interior. I'm excited to see him compete in camp and see what he can do." 

Sullivan joins former North Central quarterback Luke Lehnen as one of two former Cardinals taking part in a UFL training camp – Sullivan with the Battlehawks, and Lehnen with the Dallas Renegades.