Caden O'Rourke is a 6'5", 230-pound defensive lineman from Mokena, Illinois, who attends Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort. A three-star recruit ranked No. 891 nationally, O'Rourke recorded 13 sacks and 10 tackles for loss during his senior season in 2024, earning Class 8A All-State First Team honors from the IHSFCA and the News-Gazette. He was named Kevin Molloy Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024 and captained a team that reached consecutive state title games in 2022 and 2023. O'Rourke committed to Northwestern on January 29, 2024, choosing the Wildcats over Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan State. In his 2025 collegiate debut against ULM on October 4, he recorded two total tackles, including one solo tackle and 0.5 tackles for loss across two games.