Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 2 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 | |
| Total | 2 | 0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | — | 0 |
#43
Niko Baumgartner
Redshirt freshman linebacker for Fresno State. 2026: 2 games with a box-score line.
6′2″ · 200 lb · Concord, CA · De La Salle HS
Returning to Fresno State for 2026
The numbers
2
tackles · 2026
0.5 TFL
2 games into 2026 so far -- Best game: 1 tackles, 0.5 TFL, vs Sacramento State
His career numbers, season by seasonThe story
1 linebacker for Fresno State. 2026: 2 games with a box-score line.
- Signed as a 3-star recruit to Fresno State in 2025.
Niko Baumgartner
Second year in the Fresno State linebacker corps, same address the whole way. The receipt on tape: 1 tackles, 0.5 TFL against Sacramento State, Week 2, 2026.
2 TACKLES · 0 SACKS
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- season totals
- seasons on the roster
- game log
His career
2025
- Signed with Fresno State3-star out of De La Salle
Career arc
HS
Recruit
★★★
CFB
College
Fresno State
NFL
NFL Draft
—
2026 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
2 seasons under Matt Entz — 10-5 over that span.
2025Fresno State9-4HC: Matt Entz · Run-leaning
2026Fresno State1-1HC: Matt Entz · Run-leaning, slow tempo
Where this defender ranks vs the field
Box-score production percentiles vs the position cohort
Concern: tackles (0th percentile).
Box-score production (6)
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 & context
Splits
Per-game splits
Through 2 games: 1.0 TKL/g, 0.2 TFL/g, 0.0 SACK/g, 0.0 PD/g — splits start at 3 games.
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Matt Entz
Scheme reads (pass share, tempo, sack rate) need at least 3 team games — 2 games in so far.
Awards
Player standing · 2026
Backup
On the two-deep and pushing for snaps.
Roster2-deepStarterRecognizedEliteApex
Career stats
| Season | Team | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Fresno State | 2 | -- | 0.5 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- |
| 2025 | Fresno State | 1 | -- | 0.0 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- |
| Career | 3 | -- | 0.5 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- |
Signature game
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 2 · 2026
W 49–3
Game log
How he plays
2026 Outlook
Fresno State
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Linebacker · Fresno State
Returning around him
- Transfer portal: +3 net (13 in / 10 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
Fresno State · Last season: 9-4 · Talent rank #88 · 2026 recruiting class #70
Background
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 thre...
The linebacker corps · Fresno State
- #35Tytus Khajavi37 tackles · 2025
- #10K'Vion Thunderbird32 tackles · 2025
- #18Logan Studt17 tackles · 2025
- #25Justin Johnson3 tackles · 2025
- #43Niko Baumgartner1 tackle · 2025
5 more on the roster · Fresno State team page
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology