# Northwestern Wildcats

Big Ten · Ryan Field, Evanston, IL
Head coach: David Braun · year 4 · 19-19 career over 4 seasons, all at NW
Offense: Spread · Defense: Multiple 4-3

## 2026 outlook

- 2025 record: 7-6 (4-5 in conference)
- National title odds: +125000 (#95 on the futures board)
- Season win total: 5.5 (over priced +112)
- Returning starter games: 60%
- Schedule difficulty: 7th-hardest of 138 FBS teams

## Returning production by unit

| Unit | Returning games | Games back | Depth back |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Skill offense | 81% | 57/70 | 11/16 |
| Offensive line | 59% | 37/63 | 8/15 |
| Defensive front | 45% | 39/87 | 14/21 |
| Secondary | 60% | 37/62 | 9/13 |

## Roster movement

- Key returning: Braden Turner (DB), Ore Adeyi (DB), Robert Fitzgerald (DB), Michael Kilbane (DL), Caleb Komolafe (RB)
- Key departures (with destination): Preston Stone (QB), Aidan Hubbard (DE), Martes Lewis (OL), Evan Beerntsen (OL), Carmine Bastone (DL)
- Key arrivals (with previous school): Aidan Chiles (QB) – MSU, Nicco Marchiol (QB) – WVU, Gavin Sawchuk (RB) – FSU, Alex Honig (TE) – CONN, Mar'Kel Porter (RB) – BGSU

## Depth chart

### Offense

- WR-X: Hayden Eligon II, Ricky Ahumaraeze, Carson Grove
- WR-Z: Griffin Wilde, Frank Covey IV, Jaden McDuffie
- WR-SL: Drew Wagner, Carson Grove, Chase Farrell
- LT: Grant Seagren, Arkel Anugwom, Leighton Burbach
- LG: Ezomo Oratokhai, Dennis Rahouski, Idrys Cotton
- C: Jackson Carsello
- RG: Anthony Birsa, Jace Borcherding, Owen Fors
- RT: Deuce McGuire, David Anchondo, Jack Fuchs
- TE: Luke Dehnicke, Alex Honig, Blake Van Buren
- QB: Aidan Chiles, Nicco Marchiol, Ryan Boe
- RB: Caleb Komolafe, Gavin Sawchuk, Joseph Himon II

### Defense

- LDE: Michael Kilbane, Dominic Kirks
- LDT: Brendan Flakes, Glory Stephen-Wangboje, Mason Mayne
- RDT: Migo Jackson, Tyler Gant, Troy Regovich
- RDE: Jamaal Johnson, Callen Campbell
- WLB: Braydon Brus, Jack Sadowsky V, Payton Roth
- MLB: Kobie McKinzie, Nigel Glover
- LCB: Ore Adeyi, Brenden Deasfernandes, Marquet Dorsey Jr.
- SS: Damon Walters, Alijah Jones
- FS: Robert Fitzgerald, Jon Jon Stevens Jr.
- RCB: Josh Fussell, Montae Pate
- NB: Braden Turner

### Special Teams

- PT: Nikola Dugandzic, Marko Dubak
- PK: Jackson Kleather, Noah Sur, Henry Helms
- KO: Nikola Dugandzic, Noah Sur, Henry Helms
- LS: Jack Florentine, Evan Boutorwick
- H: Henry Helms, Marko Dubak
- PR: Griffin Wilde, Drew Wagner
- KR: Robby Preckel, Chase Farrell

## 2026 schedule

| Week | Opponent | Site | TV | Spread |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | South Dakota State Jackrabbits (FCS) | Home | BTN | NW -13.5 |
| 3 | Colorado | Home | Fox Networks | – |
| 4 | Indiana | Away | FOX | – |
| 5 | Penn State | Home | FOX | – |
| 6 | Ball State | Home | – | – |
| 7 | Michigan State | Away | – | – |
| 8 | Rutgers | Home | – | – |
| 9 | Oregon | Away | – | – |
| 10 | Iowa | Home | – | – |
| 11 | Ohio State | Away | – | – |
| 12 | Minnesota | Away | – | – |
| 13 | Illinois | Home | – | – |

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Source: SharpData OS – https://www.sharpdataos.com/cfb/teams/northwestern
Depth chart updated 2026-08-11. Odds shown are point-in-time snapshots.