Northwestern football brought in 16 total transfers during the winter portal window while bringing back 27 of its 30 eligible players who logged more than 100 snaps in 2025, per Northwestern Athletics.
The Wildcat transfer class is the highest-ranked in program history, finishing ninth and 11th in On3 and 247Sports’ respective Big Ten rankings.
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Per 247Sports, it is Northwestern’s first class since 2022 not ranked last in the conference. To give some perspective as to how different the college football world looked back then, Ohio State and Penn State brought in a combined seven transfers during the 2022 cycle. In 2026, they added 53.
There are still a few notable questions for the 2026 roster despite the high portal rankings.
Head coach David Braun opted against adding a wide receiver through the portal despite inconsistent production behind Griffin Wilde in 2025, though returning junior Hayden Eligon II did put together a strong last three weeks of the season. On the defensive side, edge rusher Anto Saka transferred from Northwestern to Texas A&M, and the ‘Cats signed two potential replacements with high upside but limited previous pass rush production.
With the transfer portal officially closed (there is no longer a spring window), Northwestern’s roster is all but set for the 2026 season barring a few lingering eligibility questions.
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Here is how it stands:
Offense
Incoming transfers listed in bold and italics
Quarterbacks | Aidan Chiles (Sr.), Ryan Boe (R-Jr.), Gavin Frakes (Gr.), Sean Winton (R-So.), Marcus Romain (R-Fr.) Johnny O’Brien (Fr.)
We’ve covered Aidan Chiles in depth on this site since he committed in early January, so I’ll leave it at this: No single transfer addition will have a bigger impact on Northwestern’s success than the former Michigan State quarterback.
Running Backs | Gavin Sawchuk (Gr.), Mar’Kel Porter (R-So.), Caleb Komolafe (R-Jr.) Joseph Himon II (Gr.), Robby Preckel (So.), Daniel Anderson (R-Fr.) Sean Morris (Fr.)
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This group is incredibly interesting for a host of reasons. Caleb Komolafe will likely pace Northwestern’s backs after rushing for 941 yards on 190 carries in 2025, but the addition of Gavin Sawchuck from Florida State suggests that Kelly may opt for more of a committee approach.
Sawchuck is the real deal. The graduate transfer, who rushed for 486 yards on 109 carries, was a key cog in a 2025 Florida State rushing offense that led the ACC in the total rushing yards. Sawchuk brings an almost identical physical similar profile to Komolafe — both are listed at 5-foot-11 and between 200 and 210 lbs — and he runs like him too as a back who thrives between the tackles. PFF gave Sawchuk an 80.8 rushing grade and 52.9 receiving grade in 2025; Komolafe came in at 76.9 and 55.6 respectively.
Of course, there’s also Joseph Himon II, who rushed for 486 yards on 99 carries in 2025, both career bests. Himon II has excelled as a change of pace back throughout his collegiate career, and he also is a more prolific pass catcher than Komolafe. In 2023, Himon led the Wildcat running back room with 219 receiving yards, though an 85-yard touchdown against UTEP somewhat inflates those numbers. He’ll be a big piece of the 2026 Northwestern offense, though Sawchuk’s addition does cast some doubt as to his level of involvement
Kelly has a long track record of leading successful running back units that get multiple guys involved. As UCLA’s head coach in 2022, Kelly engineered an offense that led the Pac-12 in rushing yards and featured four running backs with over 300 all purpose yards and three with over 500. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the Bruins’ starting quarterback in 2022, rushed for 646 yards as well.
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There may be a role for Bowling Green transfer Mar’Kel Porter as well, though the redshirt sophomore is making the leap to power conference football with just 104 total rushing yards to his name. Depth was a problem for the Wildcat running back room in 2025 as each of Komolafe, Himon and Cam Porter missed time. With Komolafe and Himon II out with minor injuries and Porter out for the season, true first-year Robby Preckel led Northwestern in rushing against Illinois with 24 carries for 85 yards. Preckel should feature as a short yardage back for the ‘Cats in 2026.
The plethora of mouths to feed in the 2026 Northwestern running back room is a great problem to have. With Chiles, who rushed for 227 yards with Michigan State in 2025, at the helm, the ‘Cats will make their living on the ground.
Wide Receivers | Griffin Wilde (Sr.), Hayden Eligon II (Jr.), Drew Wagner (Jr.), Ricky Ahumaraeze (R-Jr.), Frank Covey IV (R-Jr.), Chase Farrell (R-So.), Camp Magee (R-Jr.), Carson Grove (R-So.), Cam Russell (R-So.), Dube Enongene (R-Fr.), Brennan Saxe (R-Fr.), Braden Blueitt (R-Fr.), Jaden McDuffie (Fr.) Keaton Reinke (Fr.)
As I mentioned earlier, Northwestern did not add a wide receiver through the portal. Wilde is a monster — his 2025 stat line of 71 catches for 880 yards and eight touchdowns does not do justice to the indispensable role he played for the ’Cats — but depth behind him was a problem. Though Eligon finished with solid WR2 numbers of 37 catches for 521 yards, 271 of those yards came in the final three games of the season. Northwestern is banking heavily on the third-year wideout to build off his strong finish.
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Jaden McDuffie is the key here. McDuffie, the highest-ranked member of Northwestern’s class of 19 incoming first-years, finished the 2025 recruiting cycle ranked as a top-150 prospect in the nation by On3. At 6-foot-3, 165 lbs, McDuffie has the size to excel on the outside, and a full offseason in the Wildcat weight room should help him put on some pounds. He has a chance to enter the 2026 season as one of Northwestern’s top three wide receivers.
Tight Ends | Alex Honig (Gr.), Luke Dehnicke (R-So.), Chris Petrucci (Gr.), Blake Van Buren (Gr.), Patrick Schaller (R-So.), Noah LaPorte (R-Fr.), Tyler Kielmeyer (R-Fr.), Tom McGlinchey (Fr.)
Northwestern did not add a transfer wideout, but Braun did sign two prolific portal tight ends.
Alex Honig caught 13 passes for 162 yards in 2025 as a part of a prolific UConn passing offense, and he has excelled as a blocker throughout his collegiate career. Luke Dehnicke, who earned FCS All-American honors with Minnesota Duluth last season, is not quite a Wilde-level FCS prospect, but his 2025 stat line of 61 catches for 1,119 yards and 14 touchdowns puts him in the conversation. He was ranked as the No. 14 tight end prospect in the portal by 247Sports when he signed with the ‘Cats on Jan. 8.
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Offensive Line | David Anchondo (R-Jr.), Grant Seagren (R-Jr.), Arkel Anugwom (R-Jr.), Ezomo Oratokhai (R-So.), Deuce McGuire (Gr.), Anthony Birsa (R-Jr.), Jace Borcherding (R-So.), Dennis Rahouski (R-So.), Idrys Cotton (R-So.), Michael O’Connell (R-Fr.), Trey Boyd (R-Fr.), Jack Fuchs (Fr.), Owen Fors (Fr.), Leighton Burbach (Fr.), Jacob Miller (Fr.), Owen Jakubczak (Fr.), Hayden Flavin (Fr.)
Outside of the running backs, the Northwestern offensive line is perhaps the team’s most intriguing unit heading into 2025. Former Oklahoma State offensive tackle Grant Seagren was a massive get for Northwestern in the portal, ranked as the No. 6 transfer tackle in the country when he committed in early January. Per Hayes Fawcett, Seagren was considering Auburn and Arkansas before choosing the ‘Cats. He did not allow a single sack for the Cowboys in 2025. Pencil Seagren in as one of Northwestern’s starting tackles in 2026.
Deuce McGuire is the leading candidate to start alongside him after appearing in 11 games in 2025 and starting two. The two other Wildcat o-line transfers — David Anchondo from Saginaw Valley State and Arkel Anugwom from Alabama — have outside shots to make a run for that spot. Anchondo was a standout at the Division II level, and Anugwom’s ‘Bama pedigree is enough to get excited about on its own, but both are raw prospects. Highly-touted true first-years Leighton Burbach and Jack Fors could see some real time at tackle as well.
At tackle, redshirt sophomore Ezomo Oratokhai is a shoo-in starter after earning an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2025. Anthony Birsa appeared in all 13 games in 2025 as a redshirt sophomore, and he will enter camp with a chance to carve out a major role for himself. True first-year Owen Fors is another name to monitor, as is redshirt sophomore Idrys Cotton. I’m also a big believer in Jace Borcherding after watching him maul guys during last year’s spring open practice, but he didn’t see game action in 2025.
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At center, the big question is Jackson Carsello’s eligibility. Carsello played in just four games as a redshirt first-year in 2022, and he has a real waiver case. He was a bona fide stud in 2025 as PFF’s fourth highest graded Big Ten center. His snub from the 2025 All-Big Ten Teams is borderline unforgivable.
If Carsello’s waiver isn’t approved, Northwestern will have some work to do to replace his production. The ‘Cats are a little thin of experienced bodies in the interior o-line, and Braun may need a tackle to slide inside. Per PFF, McGuire’s 221 snaps in 2025 all came at right tackle, but he has experience playing at guard in high school. He could make the move if newly hired offensive line coach Tim Drevno has enough confidence in someone else at tackle.
Defense
Incoming transfers listed in bold and italics
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Defensive Line | Jamaal Johnson (Gr.), Glory Stephen-Wangboje (R-Jr.), Dominic Kirks (R-So.), Brendan Flakes (Gr.), Michael Kilbane (Sr.), Tyler Gant (R-Jr.), Dylan Roberts (R-Jr.), Mason Green (R-Jr.), Callen Campbell (R-So.), Landon Lauter (R-So.), Jack Trautmann (R-So.), Braxton Strong (R-So.), Troy Regovich (R-So.), Mason Mayne (R-Fr.), Caden O’Rourke (R-Fr.), Jonah Hayes (R-Fr.), Tanner Jumpp (R-Fr.)
The losses of Saka and Aidan Hubbard leave the ‘Cats a tad thin on the defensive line as well. Senior Michael Kilbane is a relatively surefire bet to start at EDGE after earning an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2025. Kilbane played in all 13 games but started only when Saka was out with an injury, racking up 3.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles-for-loss (TFLs) across the campaign.
Ohio State transfer and former four-star recruit Dominic Kirks will likely compete with UCF transfer Jamaal Johnson and sophomore Callen Campbell for Northwestern’s second starting EDGE role. Johnson earned a 78.5 PFF grade for his work as a run defender in 2025, but his pass rushing leaves a little to be desired. The former UCF Knight did not record a sack last season, and his 59.5 PFF pass rush grade could use some work. Kirks appeared in just six games across his two seasons in Columbus.
On the inside, graduate student Brendan Flakes started all 13 games in 2025, but the ‘Cats lack experience behind him. Tyler Gant appeared in nine games last season, registering four tackles, and he looked solid in an extended audition against Central Michigan. The ‘Cats also brought in Glory Stephen-Wangboje from Sacred Heart, who racked up 23 tackles and 2.5 TFLs in 2025 playing in the FCS.
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Linebackers | Kobie McKinzie (Gr.), Braydon Brus (Gr.), Jack Sadowsky V (Sr.), Nigel Glover (R-Jr.), Jason Reynolds II (Gr.), Miles Crutchley (Gr.), Payton Roth (R-Jr.), Matthew Smith (R-So.), Lincoln Creager (R-Fr.), Josh Veldman (R-Fr.), Amare Jordan (Fr.), Max Mohring (Fr.)
Northwestern’s linebacker group is in great shape headed into 2026. Speed-demon Brayden Brus is the heir apparent to the Wildcat tradition of stellar fifth-year linebackers (Mac Uihlein, Xander Mueller, Bryce Gallagher) after notching career highs in every meaningful statistical category in 2025. Kobie McKinzie, who transferred in from Oklahoma, is a plug-and-play starter alongside him. McKinzie racked up 32 tackles and a sack with the Sooners in 2025, and he is Northwestern’s second-highest rated transfer behind Chiles by On3.
Jack Sadowsky V should be more involved this year after transferring in from Iowa State in 2025. He started 17 games across two seasons with the Cyclones, accumulating 62 total tackles and a sack, but featured sparingly in his first year in Evanston. Nigel Glover, a former four-star recruit out of high school, has the chance to earn a larger role as well.
Secondary | Montae Pate (Gr.), Brenden Deasfernandes (Gr.), Robert Fitzgerald (Gr.), Josh Fussell (R-Jr.) Braden Turner (Gr.), Damon Walters (R-Jr.), Jack Oyola (Gr.), Jon Jon Stevens Jr. (So.), J.J. Lewis (R-Jr.), Marquet Dorsey Jr. (So.), Cole Shivers (R-Jr.), Jalen Lewis (R-Jr.), Alijah Jones (So.), Terrion Curry-Hicks (R-So.), Timi Oke (R-So.), Tito Williams Jr. (R-So.), Sean Martin (R-So.), Seth Valeri (R-Fr.), Jaden Vaughn (Fr.), Gabe Davis-Ray (Fr.), Nate Dawson (Fr.)
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This group is fun, man.
Retaining Second Team All-Big Ten safety Robert Fitzgerald is as big a win as any transfer portal addition for the ‘Cats. Fitzgerald, who led the Big Ten in the solo tackles in 2025, is perhaps Northwestern’s best individual player. Redshirt junior Damon Walters should slot in alongside him after an injury-plagued 2025 campaign. Walters was a Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2024 with 42 tackles, four TFLs, two pass breakups and one interception.
The cornerback room is slightly more intriguing with the transfer additions of Montae Pate from Weber State and Brenden Deasfernandes from Central Michigan. I’d give them both an equal shot to start alongside Josh Fussell in 2026. Pate earned First-Team All-Big Sky honors in 2025, and his 6-foot-3 frame gives him the frame to translate that success to the Big Ten. Deasfernandes may have earned himself a Northwestern offer in the GameAbove Sports Bowl after recording four pass breakups against his current team. Deasfernades rates slightly higher than Pate in PFF’s coverage grade (74.7 to 71.5), but Pate has a more than 20-point advantage as a run defender.
Jon Jon Stevens Jr. could see real time as well after playing in all 13 games a true first-year in 2025. He featured primarily as a box and a free safety.
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Braden Turner has the slot corner and box role on lock after earning an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention for a 2025 campaign that saw him set career-highs in tackles, forced fumbles, interceptions and pass breakups.
Both Alijah Jones and Marquet Dorsey Jr. burned their redshirts as well in 2025. Dorsey Jr. was perhaps the most sought after prospect in Northwestern’s 2024 recruiting class, choosing Northwestern over Florida, Penn State and Wisconsin. He featured as an outside corner when he saw time on defense in 2025. Jones, who chose Northwestern over Michigan State and Boston College out of high school, saw snaps at box and free safety in 2025.
