Central Michigan LB Jordan Kwiatkowski receives rookie mini-camp invitation from New England Patriots

Jordan Kwiatkowski, one of Central Michigan's favorite sons, had a chance to leave for opportunities at the Power level after the retirement of head coach Jim McElwain in 2024.

Kwiatkowski indeed did briefly put his name in the transfer portal, but new head coach Matt Drinkall made it a point to re-recruit the promising linebacker to help set the new standard. This late pitch was enough for Kwiatkowski, a native of nearby Sterling Heights, to stick with the team who made him despite interest from Power-level schools. He thrived in the new defensive scheme, seeing marked improvement in every statistic for his final year as a Chippewa.

His loyalty and hard work was rewarded, as Kwiatkowoski accepted an invitation to rookie mini-camp with the New England Patriots on Saturday night.

Kwiatkowski missed only one game in his Chippewa career, contributing in 47 games (25 starts), earning a spot on special teams right away as a true freshman under then-head coach Jim McElwain.

His performance and growth in that 2022 season was enough to earn Kwiatkowksi a spot on the two-deep as a rotation linebacker, starting once in 2023 in 11 games played. He would finish 10th on the team with 32 total tackles (17 solo), and also registered a half-sack, three pass break-ups, and a quarterback hurry.

Kwiatkowski was an unquestioned starter entering 2024, earning second-team all-MAC honors after a campaign which saw him lead the team in total tackles (96), solo tackles (48) and TFLs (14.5), while also notching one of the team's two interceptions in what was a strife-filled season.

2025 is when Kwiatkowski blossomed, finishing his swan song campaign with career-highs in total tackles (117), interceptions (three), passes defensed (five) and forced fumbles (three) and sacks (three), while also collecting 14 TFLs, three QB hurries and a defensive touchdown. Kwiatkowski earned first-team all-MAC honors at linebacker, ranking 20th in the NCAA in total tackles, while sitting fifth in the conference in tackles, seventh in TFLs and sacks and sixth in forced fumbles.

In his two years as a primary starter, Kwaitkowski had 10 games with 10+ tackles (and 11 games overall), including a four-game streak in 2025, flashing serious production at the center of an aggressive, downhill defense.

Kwaitkowski, elected a team captain as a senior, is a smart and instinctive linebacker who has an almost sixth-sense for where the football is in both the run and pass games. Kwiatkowski is also a high-motor player who jumps out in film thanks to his aggression and passion.

Indeed, Kwiatkowski was at his best when asked to spy the backfield and use his vision to go get the ball regardless of who has it. He uses his above-average agility and elite jumping ability to clog passing lanes in the middle, and has decent ability to navigate traffic when near the line of scrimmage to make plays as well.

In terms of turnovers, Kwiatkowski is officially registered with one defensive touchdown on four total picks, but he nearly returned two others in 2025 and had 92 total return yards, using that same vision for spying the ball to elude tacklers. His combination of hit power and coverage savvy makes him an intriguing project as a subpackage linebacker.

Kwiatkowski's athletic profile is not encouraging at the next level, with poor speed numbers and a below-average size/strength profile, coming in closer to safety size. He also has a limited arsenal of pass rush moves, which restricts his usage on-field. His lack of top-end speed and acceleration does show up against stronger competition, as he could get exposed if positioned poorly.

At the pro level, Kwaitkowski will compete right away for a special teams spot thanks to the four years of core teams play under his belt, and has upside as a coverage MIKE in the mold of Robert Spillane or Alex Anzalone– though he is not nearly as athletic. He'll be 22 years old upon arrival, giving New England some time to develop him as a practice squader or bottom-roster prospect, should they so choose (assuming he can fight his way into a roster spot after mini-camp.)