2012: Saw time in four games (at Syracuse, vs. Vanderbilt, vs. South Dakota, vs. Illinois), primarily as a reserve superback and on special teams ... Did not record any statistics.
2011: Played in one game in 2011 ... Did not record any statistics.
2010: Played in two games, versus Illinois State and Rice ... Notched one tackle vs. the Owls ... Named team's defensive practice player of the week vs. Penn State.
2009: Did not see action ... Named team's defensive practice player of the week vs. Eastern Michigan and Wisconsin.
High School: SuperPrep All-Midwest and Rivals.com All-Midwest Region defensive end ... Ranked 21st overall among all Illinois players by Rivals.com and fourth-best defensive end in the state ... Ranked 91st among all players in Midwest Region (six states) by SuperPrep... Ranked 51st nationally among defensive ends by Rivals.com ... Two-time All-Catholic League Blue Conference selection ... Two-way starter for perennial state power Mount Carmel ... Named his team's Outstanding Defensive Lineman ... Totaled 56 tackles, which included 31 TFL's, his junior and senior seasons ... Had 16 TFL's (for a loss of 45 yards) in 2008 ... Team captain ... Hails from the same prep program that has produced college and NFL stars Donovan McNabb and Simeon Rice ... Student Council president ... Illinois State Scholar, High Honor Roll and National Achievement finalist ... Gold medalist in National Latin Exam ... AP Scholar ... Also lettered in wrestling ... Coached by Frank Lenti.
Personal: Born Anthony Harvey Battle Jr. ... Son of Anthony and Karen Battle ... English major.
The Battle File
Q: Name five favorite songs (and artist) on your I-Pod:
A: Brand New (Lil Wayne); Daydreaming (Lupe Fiasco); Kiss from a Rose (Seal); Killing Me Softly (Lauryn Hill); My Immortal (Evanescence)
Q: If you could dine with anyone from any period in history, who would it be and why?
A: I would dine with my father's father because he died before I was born. My father admires him greatly and I wish I could have known him.
Q: What is the greatest lesson in life that you have learned?
A: Always be true to yourself.
Q: A song that best describes you and why?
A: Chocolate High by India Arie and Musiq Soulchild, because a close female friend of mine says it reminds her of me.
Q: Something people would be surprised to know about me is:
A: I consider myself a poet
Q: My favorite place to visit is and why?
A: I like to spend time near the lake because it is calm and humbling. It is quite a sublime experience to see both the beauty and terror of nature.
Q: Which current NU football player is the biggest jokester on the team and why?
A: There are a few to choose from but I would say Mike Bolden because he always has something funny to say about someone.
Q: My favorite thing about NU is and why?
A: My favorite thing about NU is the smaller campus that makes it easier to know people and build stronger friendships.
Q: Best part about being a Northwestern football player is:
A: I stand out in a crowd
Q: Describe Coach Fitzgerald in five words or less:
A: Driven, passionate, convicted, energetic, real
Q: Describe your position coach in five words or less:
A: Funny, Strict, Dedicated, Fatherly
Q: Most humbling experience:
A: My first year on the football team.
Q: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement and why?
A: I think my greatest achievement is yet to come. I plan to write a book and I feel like there is much more to be accomplished in my life, so as of now, I haven't done anything great yet.
Q: The best book I have ever read is and why?
A: I read quite a bit, so I would have to say I learned from all of them to some degree, but I would pick between either Angels and Demons or Paradise Lost. I am partial to books that approach religious themes in unique and artistic fashion.
Q: The person that inspires me the most is:
A: Without a doubt my father. He has been through a lot and remains strong through it all.
Q: When I played football as a kid, I pretended to be:
A: I didn't start playing until freshman year of high school, so I was just focused on being the best me I can be.
Q: My favorite pregame ritual is:
A: Contemplating and visualizing help focus my mind and ignite my heart.
Q: If you could have a starring role in any film already made, which movie would you pick and why?
A: V for Vendetta is one of my favorites. I would not mind playing as V. He's a very cool character.
Q: My favorite food is:
A: My mom's macaroni and cheese.
Q: My favorite thing about playing at Ryan Field is:
A: I hope I figure that out this coming season
Q: Best thing about Northwestern is:
A: Sits right next to Lake Michigan
Q: My ultimate SportsCenter highlight would be:
A: Causing a fumble while getting a sack, then scooping and taking it to the house.
Q: My favorite television show is and why?
A: Full Metal Alchemist. I like the artistic a philosophical quality of Japanese animation.
Q: If I were not playing football, I would be:
A: Somewhere thinking about life's mysteries.
Q: The three words that best describe me:
A: Idealistic, Romantic, Free
Q: My football-related superstition is:
A: I don't believe in superstition. We win because we prepare and play hard.
Q: If the Big Ten expands in the future, pick one school you'd like to see added and why?
A: I would hope that whoever is added would give us some good competition and push us to be our greatest.
Q: Which FORMER NU football student-athlete has had the most impact on your Wildcat career and why?
A: I play the same position as Corey Wootton and I got to be his teammate for his last season. He is a great football player and human being to look up to.