Playing a Friday night game is a bit of a double-edged sword for Northwestern recruiting.
On the one hand, it's great exposure. It's the only Big Ten game and one of just two Power Five contests that night. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. A big crowd is expected at Ryan Field.
On the other, the overwhelming majority of high school prospects play on Friday night, including virtually everyone in Chicagoland. As a result, there will only be a few targets on hand to watch the Wildcats take on Michigan State.
WildcatReport has learned that the following three players will be in the stands as guests of the program. We will revisit this list later in the week to see if any more are added.
2022 QB AJ Simpkins
If Simpkins' name sounds familiar, it should: the 6-foot-3 North Carolinian attended Northwestern's quarterback camp at the end of July. Simpkins didn't earn an offer at the camp -- none of the 2022 prospects in attendance did -- but the Wildcats are continuing to evaluate him this fall.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder currently holds eight offers. He has yet to draw one from a Power Five program, but he has two from the MAC and one from the Ivy League. He has been in touch with and camped at several P5 programs.
northwestern.rivals.com
2023 RB Cole Cabana
Cabana is a small, quick, all-purpose player who could be employed as a running back or in the slot, a la Venric Mark. The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder has impressive speed: he finished fourth in the 100 meters at the Michigan high school track finals as a sophomore, and also qualified in the 200 and the 4x400 relay.
The Dexter (Mich.) standout currently has 12 offers, including three from the Power Five (Louisville, Syracuse and West Virginia), five from the MAC and Cincinnati.
2023 OL Dylan Senda
Northwestern just offered Senda in mid-August, and he told WildcatReport that he has built a strong bond with OL coach Kurt Anderson. Senda is listed as a center but, at 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, has the versatility to play different positions on the offensive line.
Senda already holds 19 offers, including a dozen from Power Five programs. Anderson has done very well recruiting in Michigan, where he played and coached: three of the Wildcats' six OL in the last two classes (Josh Priebe, Caleb Tiernan and Josh Thompson) come from the Great Lake State.
northwestern.rivals.com
On the one hand, it's great exposure. It's the only Big Ten game and one of just two Power Five contests that night. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. A big crowd is expected at Ryan Field.
On the other, the overwhelming majority of high school prospects play on Friday night, including virtually everyone in Chicagoland. As a result, there will only be a few targets on hand to watch the Wildcats take on Michigan State.
WildcatReport has learned that the following three players will be in the stands as guests of the program. We will revisit this list later in the week to see if any more are added.
2022 QB AJ Simpkins
If Simpkins' name sounds familiar, it should: the 6-foot-3 North Carolinian attended Northwestern's quarterback camp at the end of July. Simpkins didn't earn an offer at the camp -- none of the 2022 prospects in attendance did -- but the Wildcats are continuing to evaluate him this fall.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder currently holds eight offers. He has yet to draw one from a Power Five program, but he has two from the MAC and one from the Ivy League. He has been in touch with and camped at several P5 programs.
WildcatReport - Simpkins takes advantage of opportunity at Northwestern QB camp
2022 North Carolina QB AJ Simpkins talks about his experience in Evanston last Friday.
northwestern.rivals.com
2023 RB Cole Cabana
Cabana is a small, quick, all-purpose player who could be employed as a running back or in the slot, a la Venric Mark. The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder has impressive speed: he finished fourth in the 100 meters at the Michigan high school track finals as a sophomore, and also qualified in the 200 and the 4x400 relay.
The Dexter (Mich.) standout currently has 12 offers, including three from the Power Five (Louisville, Syracuse and West Virginia), five from the MAC and Cincinnati.
2023 OL Dylan Senda
Northwestern just offered Senda in mid-August, and he told WildcatReport that he has built a strong bond with OL coach Kurt Anderson. Senda is listed as a center but, at 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, has the versatility to play different positions on the offensive line.
Senda already holds 19 offers, including a dozen from Power Five programs. Anderson has done very well recruiting in Michigan, where he played and coached: three of the Wildcats' six OL in the last two classes (Josh Priebe, Caleb Tiernan and Josh Thompson) come from the Great Lake State.
WildcatReport - 2023 OL Dylan Senda feels connection to Anderson, Northwestern
The Wildcats are after another coveted Michigan O-lineman, three-star Dylan Senda, the No. 2 center in the nation.
northwestern.rivals.com
