Offense
The quarterback position will belong to Michigan State transfer Aidan Chiles. It will be interesting to see him in new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s offense. I could see him producing strong numbers. West Virginia transfer Nicco Marchiol and returner Gavin Franks also have starting experience.
The running back room returns experience in Caleb Komolafe and Joseph Himon II. Komolafe rushed for nearly 1,000 yards last season. Watch out for redshirt freshman Marcus Romain. The additions of Mar’Kel Porter (Bowling Green) and Gavin Sawchuk (Florida State) help make this a very deep and underrated unit nationally.
The wide receiver room production in Griffin Wilde (All-Big 10), Hayden Eligan, Drew Wagner, Ricky Ahumaraeze, and Frank Covey. Wilde is one of the most reliable receivers in college football. The additions of tight ends Alex Honig (UConn) and Luke Dehnicke (D2 Minnesota-Duluth) provide valuable weapons for this offense.
The offensive line room returns experience in Ezomo Oratokhai, Anthony Birsa, and Deuce McGuire. The additions of Arkel Anugwom (Alabama), David Anchondo 9D2 Saginaw Valley State), and Grant Seagren (Oklahoma State) provide much needed experience. Young players will need to emerge to build depth.
Defense
The defensive line returns experience in Brendan Flakes, Michael Kilbane, Collen Campbell, Migo Jackson, and Tyler Gant. Watch out for redshirt freshman Mason Mayne. The additions of Glory Stephen-Wangboje (Sacred Heart), Dominic Kirks (Ohio State), and Jamaal Johnson (UCF) are massive for this unit.
The linebacker room returns experience in Braydon Brus, Nigel Glover, Payton Roth, and Jack Sadowsky. Brus has the most production by a mile though. The addition of Kobie McKinzie (Oklahoma) provides a valuable piece with high level starting experience.
The secondary will be one of the best in the Big 10. Robert Fitgerald (All-Big 10), Braden Turner, Josh Fussell, Ore Adeyi, Alijah Jones, Damon Walters, and Jon Stevens all have experience. The additions of Montae Pate (Weber State) and Brenden Deasfernandes (Central Michigan) provide even more depth.
Specialists
Kicking duties should belong to Bowling Green transfer Jackson Kleather. He was an All-MAC performer last season. Punting duties should belong to highly recruited redshirt freshman Nikola Dugandzic.
2026 Schedule
- 9/5 South Dakota State
- 9/19 Colorado
- 9/25 at Indiana
- 10/2 Penn State
- 10/10 Ball State
- 10/17 at Michigan State
- 10/24 Rutgers
- 10/31 at Oregon
- 11/7 Iowa
- 11/14 at Ohio State
- 11/21 at Minnesota
- 11/28 Illinois
Final Analysis
Northwestern means business. David Braun hired Chip Kelly at offensive coordinator and the new $862 million dollar Ryan Field opens in October. The conference schedule does the Wildcats no favors this season, but this absolutely should be a bowl team. With a much more exciting offense than last season.
