FOOTBALL My 2021 Season Preview

[lou v]

Here is the season preview I submitted to Lindy's for this season's College Football Preview magazine. There's actually two parts -- a more expansive Big Ten version and an abbreviated national version. I sort of combined both of them here because much of the national version is just an abbreviation of the Big Ten version. (It's divided into multiple posts because there's a 10K-character limit on posts on the message board.)

Lindy's has a pretty rigid template to follow and strict word counts, but please let me know your thoughts. And, even though you'd have to pay for the magazine on a newstand, you get this free of charge with your WildcatReport subscription.



FEATURE (400)

Northwestern desperately wants to take the next step as a program and win a Big Ten title for the first time since 2000. But last year, in the Big Ten championship game against eventual CFP runner-up Ohio State, the Wildcats found out just how far they have to go to reach that goal.

Northwestern’s defense played about as well as it could in Indianapolis. They held the Buckeyes’ offense to less than half its average of 46.6 points per game. Ohio State had just six points at the half and didn’t get into the end zone until the end of the third quarter. Heisman finalist and first-round NFL draft pick Justin Fields was harassed into the worst outing of his career, getting sacked three times while throwing for just 114 yards and two interceptions.

But Northwestern’s offense scored just 10 points – none after halftime – and the Wildcats fell 22-10.

The message was clear. Northwestern had an elite defense that was playing at a championship level. But if head coach Pat Fitzgerald wants to put some more hardware in the trophy case at the Walter Athletics Center, his offense needs more firepower.

That offensive transformation has already begun. It started last year with the hiring of new offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian. It was accelerated this offseason as the Wildcats added an array of new weapons through the transfer portal and recruiting.

First, they brought in a rocket-armed quarterback who can stretch the field in South Carolina transfer Ryan Hilinski. Grad transfer Stephon Robinson Jr. is a proven slot man who had 75 catches in two years at Kansas. Jordan Mosely and CJ Johnson, a pair of 2021 wide receivers from the Deep South who signed in February, add the kind of downfield playmaking ability that’s been largely missing. Workhorse running back Cam Porter is a 220-pound downhill runner, so they added grad transfer Andrew Clair, a back with some wiggle and pass-catching ability, from Bowling Green.

In the very near future, Northwestern’s offense could be unrecognizable. And that’s a good thing.

The Wildcats have finished in the Top 20 in three of the last four years, including a No. 10 final ranking in 2020, the program’s highest finish since the 1995 Rose Bowl team. But they’ve hit the ceiling with their defense-first strategy. It’s time for the offense to pull a little more weight.

 

[lou v]

SCOUTING REPORT

OFFENSE (450)

Northwestern is once again looking to add more explosiveness to an offense that is in the shadow of the team’s defense. The tricky part is that they will attempt to do it despite losing their starting quarterback and top four receivers from a year ago.

The Wildcats will trot out a new starting quarterback in the opener for the fourth straight year, as grad transfer Peyton Ramsey is gone. South Carolina transfer Ryan Hilinski looks to be the favorite in the position battle that will spill into fall camp, but he will get a push from fifth-year seniors Andrew Marty and Hunter Johnson, who both started games in 2019.

Hilinski had an eye-opening true freshman season at South Carolina in 2019, throwing for 2,357 yards, 11 TDs and five INTs while helping to engineer a road win over No. 5 Georgia. But new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo brought a QB with him from Colorado State and Hilinski lost his starting job. The former four-star prospect has big-time arm talent and will look to get his career back on track with the Wildcats.

Whomever wins the starting job will have some new faces to throw to after the Wildcats lost their top three wide receivers and starting tight end. Bryce Kirtz, who is the leading returning wideout with just six catches in 2020, and JJ Jefferson, who was sidelined for all of 2020 with injuries, will play prominent roles, as will holdovers Malik Washington and Wayne Dennis Jr. Northwestern also picked up some instant help at wide receiver with grad transfer Stephon Robinson Jr., a speedy slot man who caught 75 passes for 1,092 yards and nine touchdowns in two seasons at Kansas. Tight end Charlie Mangieri looks ready to climb into the starting spot at tight end, and he and the oft-injured Trey Pugh, should form a productive pair.

The running game is in the capable hands of Cam Porter, a punishing, 220-pound downhill runner who came on late in the season as the workhorse back. He carried the ball 73 times for 301 yards and four touchdowns over the last three games as the Wildcats finally found a rushing attack. He’ll get help from grad transfer Andrew Clair, a versatile, all-purpose back from Bowling Green.

The offensive line returns three starters from last season: stalwart center Sam Gerak, versatile guard Ethan Wiederkehr and budding superstar Peter Skoronski at left tackle. All the true freshman Skoronski did last season was start all nine games at the most demanding position on the line, earning second-team All-Big Ten and Freshman All-America honors. Look for the Cats to be more physical up front in 2021.


DEFENSE (450)

There will be a lot of new faces on Northwestern’s defense, which finished fifth in the nation in points allowed in 2020, starting with the man in charge. New defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil, who spent the last 12 years in the NFL, takes over for retired legend Mike Hankwitz. O’Neil doesn’t want to fix what isn’t broken but he will add new wrinkles to Northwestern’s scheme.

Up front, some familiar faces are returning in what is the deepest position group on the team. Samdup Miller, a three-year starter at defensive end, comes back after opting out of the 2020 season. He’ll bookend with Adetomiwa Adebawore, who led the team with seven quarterback hurries last season and has explosive power off the edge. Inside, Trevor Kent, who played in just four games in an injury-marred 2020, and Jason Gold Jr., who sustained a season-ending injury in the opener, will lead a deep defensive tackle rotation. Expect ends Sean McLaughlin, Devin O’Rourke and Jeffrey Pooler Jr., and tackles Joe Spivak and Jordan Butler to get plenty of playing time in the rotation.

At linebacker, four-year starter Paddy Fisher and three-year starter Blake Gallagher have both moved on, so the lone holdover from the famed “Irish Law Firm” is former walkon Chris Bergin. The active “super senior” outside linebacker who came back for his bonus year covers the whole field and is the team’s leading returning tackler with 78 last year. The other two spots are up for grabs, but junior Khalid Jones and senior Peter McIntyre will likely have the inside track at middle and weakside linebacker, respectively. Don’t be surprised if sophomores Cullen Coleman and Bryce Gallagher (Blake’s younger brother) also see plenty of action.

Northwestern returns one half of the starting secondary that ranked No. 1 in pass-efficiency defense in 2020. While three-year starter JR Pace has moved on, safety Brandon Joseph is a bona-fide difference maker who earned first-team All-America honors as a redshirt freshman after intercepting six passes, tied for most in the country last season. He will anchor the back half, and sophomore Coco Azema will likely join him as the other starter covering the deep middle. At cornerback, former star Greg Newsome II, a first-round selection of the Cleveland Browns, has left a void but there are some twitchy athletes ready to step in to fill it. AJ Hampton started the final three games of 2020 and will keep his starting job, and Cameron Mitchell, who picked off the first pass of his career in the Big Ten championship game and started in the Citrus Bowl, will probably man the other side. Safety Bryce Jackson and corner Rod Heard should also get plenty of playing time for the “Sky Team.”


SPECIAL TEAMS (125)

The extra year of eligibility given to all 2020 players was a godsend for Northwestern’s special teams, as both kicker Charlie Kuhbander and punter Derek Adams decided to use their bonus year and return as graduates.

Kuhbander, who already ranks seventh on NU’s all-time list with 37 field goals, went 9-for-12 on FGs last season, with a career-high 47-yarder in the Big Ten championship game. As the primary kickoff man for the first time in his career, he had 14 touchbacks on 44 kicks.

Adams averaged 41.8 yards on 44 punts. He dropped 16 inside the 20 and boomed five punts more than 50 yards.

The Wildcats are on the hunt for new return men, but look for Azema to make an impact as a punt returner.


SCHEDULE ANALYSIS (125)

The Wildcats have a score to settle in their opener, at home, against Michigan State after an ugly road loss to the Spartans in 2020. The non-conference schedule is always tricky for Northwestern and games at Duke and against Ohio will test the team’s mettle early in the year with so many new starters.

The Wildcats’ remaining two crossover games are a mixed bag: home against Rutgers and at the Big House against Michigan. In the West, they get Minnesota, Iowa and Purdue at home and go on the road to face Nebraska, Wisconsin and Illinois.

Once again, matchups with Iowa and Wisconsin loom the largest. Win those, and the Wildcats have a chance to represent the West again in Indianapolis.


OVERVIEW

2021 will be a good litmus test of where Northwestern is as a program. They lost a lot of key players on both sides of the ball but, due to improved recruiting and key transfers, they have talented newcomers ready to step in. Can the Wildcats remain in the hunt to repeat as West champions, or will the personnel losses be too much to overcome?

 

[lou v]

WILDCATS AT A GLANCE


LOCATION: Evanston, Ill.
2020: 7-2 overall, 6-1 Big Ten (1st, Big Ten West)
COACH: Pat Fitzgerald -- 106-81 overall, 15 years, all at Northwestern
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Mike Bajakian
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jim O’Neil
RETURNING STARTERS: 8; 3 offense, 3 defense, kicker, punter
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Ryan Hilinski, RB Cam Porter, T Peter Skoronski, DE Samdup Miller, DE Adetomiwa Adebawore, LB Chris Bergin, CB AJ Hampton, S Brandon Joseph
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: The Wildcats addressed their need for firepower offensively with transfers and recruits and should be more consistent in year two under Bajakian. Even though they lost a lot of top performers, the defense is as athletic as it’s ever been and figures to again spearhead the team.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Northwestern lost their quarterback and four top receivers and will be looking for ways to make big plays offensively. The defense must replace several stars and will be installing a new system under first-year coordinator O’Neil, so a drop-off is likely.
KEY LOSSES: QB Peyton Ramsey, WR Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman, WR/KR Kyric McGowan, TE John Raine, DE Earnest Brown IV, LB Paddy Fisher, LB Blake Gallagher, CB Greg Newsome II, S JR Pace
KEY NUMBER: 2 – the number of Northwestern first-round draft picks (OL Rashawn Slater and CB Greg Newsome) in the 2021 NFL Draft, the most in school history.


QUOTE

“He's been here for a few weeks, and he's already evolved my game into something I didn't even know I could do. Having Coach O'Neil here, it's going to be exciting to see what we can do on defense.” – Safety Brandon Joseph



DEPTH CHART


OFFENSE

QB Ryan Hilinski/So./Started 11 games as true freshman at South Carolina in 2019/Andrew Marty, Sr.
RB Cam Porter/So./Rushed for 301 yards and four touchdowns over the last three games in 2020/Andrew Clair, Gr.
WR Bryce Kirtz/So./Leading returning wideout had just six catches for 67 yards last season/Malik Washington, Jr.
WR JJ Jefferson/Sr./Did not play in 2020 due to injury/Wayne Dennis, So.
WR Stephon Robinson Jr./Gr./Had 75 catches for 1,092 yards and nine TDs in two years at Kansas /Berkeley Holman, Sr.
TE Charlie Mangieri/Sr./Two of his seven catches in 2020 went for touchdowns/Trey Pugh, Sr.
LT Peter Skoronski*/So./Earned second-team All-Big Ten honors after starting all nine games in 2020/Payne He’bert, So.
LG Josh Priebe/So./Appeared in eight games after choosing Northwestern over Michigan and Ohio State/Dom D’Antonio, So.
C Sam Gerak*/Sr./Has started every game over the last two seasons/Charlie Schmidt, Jr.
RG Ethan Wiederkehr*/Sr./Versatile vet has started games at both guard and tackle/Conrad Rowley, Jr.
RT Zachary Franks/So./Most likely to emerge in the battle for the starting job/Ben Wrather, So.
PK Charlie Kuhbander*/Gr./Fifth-year kicker had made 37 career field goals/Jack Olsen, So.

DEFENSE

DE Adetomiwa Adebawore*/Jr./Had two sacks but led team with seven QBH in 2020/Sean McLaughlin, So.
DT Trevor Kent/Sr./Former starter limited to four games in 2020 due to injury/Joe Spivak, Gr.
DT Jason Gold/Jr./Sustained season-ending knee injury in opener/Jordan Butler, So.
DE Samdup Miller/Gr./Three-year starter returns after opting out in 2020/Devin O’Rourke, Jr.
LB Peter McIntyre/Sr./Oft-injured reserve looking to make splash as a senior/Bryce Gallagher, So.
LB Khalid Jones/Jr./Favorite to win the starting job after appearing in just five career games/Cullen Coleman, So.
LB Chris Bergin*/Gr./Former walkon is leading returning tackler with 78 in 2020/Jaylen Rivers, Jr.
CB AJ Hampton/Jr./Won the starting job for the last three games of 2020/Rod Heard, So.
CB Cameron Mitchell/So./Notched first career interception in Big Ten championship game/Garnett Hollis, So.
S Brandon Joseph*/So./Named first-team All-America after co-leading nation with six INTs/Bryce Jackson, Sr.
S Coco Azema/So./Played in all nine games in 2020, recording one interception/Jaheem Joseph, So.
P Derek Adams*/Gr./Landed 16 of 44 punts inside the 20-yard line/Jake Genyk, Jr.

 

[lou v]

PLAYER PROFILE (400)

Brandon Joseph

HEADLINE
Joseph set a high bar in 2020

In retrospect, maybe Brandon Joseph shouldn’t have had such a sensational 2020 season. Now he has to follow it up.

The Northwestern safety was named a first-team All-American as a redshirt freshman in his first year as a starter. He had three interceptions in his first three games. He finished with six picks, tied for most in the nation. His last one was worthy of a SportsCenter top play: a leaping, one-handed stab in the end zone to take a touchdown away from Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson in the Big Ten championship game.

And just to prove that he wasn’t a one-dimensional player, he also had more tackles than anyone on the roster who didn’t play linebacker (52).

What will Joseph do for an encore? He’s got a pretty good idea.

"The (Jim) Thorpe (Award) was something that was on my mind last year, but really we had bigger goals," Joseph said. "We had goals to make it to the Big Ten Championship, and we had goals to win the Big Ten Championship. Last year is in the past now, so all I can do is go and try and win it this year. And that is my goal, to go and get that thing."

Joseph was an average three-star prospect coming out of College Station (Texas) in 2019, with nearly as many offers from the Ivy League (six) as the Power Five (nine). Hometown Texas A&M never offered. So very few people could have predicted the success “BJo” had last year.

While Joseph hopes to replicate, or potentially improve, his numbers this season, his role will be vastly different. Last year, he was the rookie starter in a well-seasoned unit; this year, he will be the veteran leader.

"Last year, I had all the experience in the world around me, and I'm losing a lot of that this year…,” said Joseph, referring to Greg Newsome II, a first-round draft pick in April’s NFL draft, and three-year starting safety JR Pace. “I'm going to use everything I learned from them boys last year.”

One thing that will remain the same this season, however, is the expectations for the unit that calls itself the “Sky Team”.

"(We had) one of the best DB units in the nation last year, and having the best returning corner (Cameron Mitchell) in the Big Ten and the best returning safety (Joseph) in the Big Ten, there's a new standard in this DB room."


BEST AND BRIGHTEST

MVP: S Brandon Joseph
Named a consensus first-team All-America after sensational redshirt-freshman season…Recorded two interceptions in two different games…Finished with six INTs, tied for most in the nation…Made a spectacular, leaping interception in the end zone vs. Ohio State in the Big Ten title game…Totaled 52 tackles, most on the team for a non-linebacker.

Emerging Star: RB Cam Porter
Became the Wildcats’ bell cow late in the season, rushing 73 times for 301 yards and four TDs in last three games…Had 32 total rushing yards before breaking out with a career-high 142 yards and two TDs in regular-season finale vs. Illinois…Ran for 61 yards and one TD in Big Ten title game…Toted the rock 33 times for 98 yards and one more score in Citrus Bowl.

Top Newcomer: QB Ryan Hilinski
The South Carolina transfer will battle with fifth-year senior Hunter Johnson for the starting QB job. Hilinski started 11 games as a true freshman for the Gamecocks in 2019, throwing for 2,357 yards, 11 TDs and five INTs, but he fell out of favor with new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo in 2020 and played in just two games. Hilinski was a Rivals four-star prospect and one of the top 50 players in the nation in 2019.


TEAM NOTEBOOK (350 words)

* Two Wildcats heard their names called in the first round of the NFL Draft for the first time in history on April 29.

Tackle Rashawn Slater, who opted out of the 2020 season, was selected 13th overall by the Los Angeles Chargers. A little while later, cornerback Greg Newsome II was picked by the Cleveland Browns at the No. 23 spot.

Slater was Northwestern’s highest draft choice since Chris Hinton, another offensive lineman, was picked fourth in the 1983 draft.


* While transfers are now a fact of life in college football, Northwestern has experienced fewer than any other Power Five program. Since the transfer portal was established in 2018, Northwestern has had 14 transfers, including the seven who left this year.

To put that number in perspective, as of this writing, Kansas State has had the most transfers in that span with 90. A total of 23 Power Five programs have averaged at least 14 transfers each year.


* Head coach Pat Fitzgerald is the face of Northwestern football. So when NFL teams came calling at the end of the 2020 season, after his second Big Ten West division title in three seasons, fans grew a little concerned – especially coming on the heels of the retirement of beloved defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz and the departure of long-time athletic director Jim Phillips.

No need to worry. Before leaving his post, Phillips signed Fitzgerald to a contract extension that will keep him in Evanston through 2030, which will be his 25th season. Fitzgerald, who is already Northwestern’s all-time winningest coach, has been pursued by everyone from Notre Dame to the Green Bay Packers over the years, but has made it clear that he has no plans of leaving his alma mater.


* Northwestern is selling its “Top 10” proposition on the recruiting trail this year. It’s the only school to finish in the Top 10 academically (ninth in the U.S. News & World Report college rankings) and in football (10th in the final Associated Press poll). The No. 10 AP ranking was the program’s highest since the 1995 Rose Bowl team.

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

Very well done Lou. Thanks for the preview. The inclusion of Payne He’Bert as a starter was a nice surprise. Are you expecting him to be healthy come August?

 

[lou v]

Very well done Lou. Thanks for the preview. The inclusion of Payne He’Bert as a starter was a nice surprise. Are you expecting him to be healthy come August?

He’s a second-teamer. But let’s hope he’s healthy. My two-deep, as always, was “verified” by a source. But I wouldn’t put too much stock in it — a lot can change by next fall.

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

He’s a second-teamer. But let’s hope he’s healthy. My two-deep, as always, was “verified” by a source. But I wouldn’t put too much stock in it — a lot can change by next fall.

Gotcha...I see Priebe listed as the starter now. Was tough to read on my phone. Thanks for clarifying. Tough to see Hunter Johnson’s name on my phone also. 🤔

 

[corbi296]

He’s a second-teamer. But let’s hope he’s healthy. My two-deep, as always, was “verified” by a source. But I wouldn’t put too much stock in it — a lot can change by next fall.

Very nice job Lou. I assume this was put together before Carrington announced he is transferring in? Where do you think he fits on your projected two deep? Isn’t Pooler likely ahead of McLaughlin and O’rourke in the projected DE rotation?

 

[CatChatAR]

Marty is second team? Unexpected.

 

[lou v]

Marty is second team? Unexpected.

That was my biggest surprise, too -- and the only "edit" my source provided.

 

[lou v]

Very nice job Lou. I assume this was put together before Carrington announced he is transferring in? Where do you think he fits on your projected two deep? Isn’t Pooler likely ahead of McLaughlin and O’rourke in the projected DE rotation?

Yeah, this came before the last couple of transfers. I expect Pooler, for sure, to be in the rotation. Maybe in front of McLaughlin in the pecking order.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Gotcha...I see Priebe listed as the starter now. Was tough to read on my phone. Thanks for clarifying. Tough to see Hunter Johnson’s name on my phone also. 🤔

Maybe you should get one of those old man phones. Eat some carrots too. /s

On a lighter note, if we don’t beat Michigan this year, I am going to trash the dog park and knock over some dumpsters behind Chipotle.

 

[corbi296]

That was my biggest surprise, too -- and the only "edit" my source provided.

I’ll keep saying it until I am blue in the face, people on this board are underestimating Andrew Marty. Not a surprise to me.

 

[pnt16]

I'm expecting a huge year from Cam Mitchell.

 

[NorthNJCatsfan]

Agree, great stuff, Lou. Thank you. I especially liked the first sentence of the Overview : this season is a litmus test for where NU is as a program. Are the Cats a program that has arrived and can lose multiple, top caliber starters and good
( or great ) coaches , but is nevertheless then able to reload and repeat as West Champions, or—as the FBS prognosticators still believe—a program that will regularly have to rebuild? We’ll see. One question: did the Review not require a prediction for the season?

Also, I agree with Hungry: man, do I want the Cats to beat UM. On a more cautionary note: don’t sleep on Rutgers. Schiano can turn that program around quickly.

 

[lou v]

Agree, great stuff, Lou. Thank you. I especially liked the first sentence of the Overview : this season is a litmus test for where NU is as a program. Are the Cats a program that has arrived and can lose multiple, top caliber starters and good
( or great ) coaches , but is nevertheless then able to reload and repeat as West Champions, or—as the FBS prognosticators still believe—a program that will regularly have to rebuild? We’ll see. One question: did the Review not require a prediction for the season?

Also, I agree with Hungry: man, do I want the Cats to beat UM. On a more cautionary note: don’t sleep on Rutgers. Schiano can turn that program around quickly.

No, they don't require a prediction. Thankfully.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Agree, great stuff, Lou. Thank you. I especially liked the first sentence of the Overview : this season is a litmus test for where NU is as a program. Are the Cats a program that has arrived and can lose multiple, top caliber starters and good
( or great ) coaches , but is nevertheless then able to reload and repeat as West Champions, or—as the FBS prognosticators still believe—a program that will regularly have to rebuild? We’ll see. One question: did the Review not require a prediction for the season?

Also, I agree with Hungry: man, do I want the Cats to beat UM. On a more cautionary note: don’t sleep on Rutgers. Schiano can turn that program around quickly.

Schiano wasn’t good enough for Tennesee!

 

[Hungry Jack]

WILDCATS AT A GLANCE


LOCATION: Evanston, Ill.
2020: 7-2 overall, 6-1 Big Ten (1st, Big Ten West)
COACH: Pat Fitzgerald -- 106-81 overall, 15 years, all at Northwestern
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Mike Bajakian
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jim O’Neil
RETURNING STARTERS: 8; 3 offense, 3 defense, kicker, punter
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Ryan Hilinski, RB Cam Porter, T Peter Skoronski, DE Samdup Miller, DE Adetomiwa Adebawore, LB Chris Bergin, CB AJ Hampton, S Brandon Joseph
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: The Wildcats addressed their need for firepower offensively with transfers and recruits and should be more consistent in year two under Bajakian. Even though they lost a lot of top performers, the defense is as athletic as it’s ever been and figures to again spearhead the team.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Northwestern lost their quarterback and four top receivers and will be looking for ways to make big plays offensively. The defense must replace several stars and will be installing a new system under first-year coordinator O’Neil, so a drop-off is likely.
KEY LOSSES: QB Peyton Ramsey, WR Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman, WR/KR Kyric McGowan, TE John Raine, DE Earnest Brown IV, LB Paddy Fisher, LB Blake Gallagher, CB Greg Newsome II, S JR Pace
KEY NUMBER: 2 – the number of Northwestern first-round draft picks (OL Rashawn Slater and CB Greg Newsome) in the 2021 NFL Draft, the most in school history.


QUOTE

“He's been here for a few weeks, and he's already evolved my game into something I didn't even know I could do. Having Coach O'Neil here, it's going to be exciting to see what we can do on defense.” – Safety Brandon Joseph



DEPTH CHART


OFFENSE

QB Ryan Hilinski/So./Started 11 games as true freshman at South Carolina in 2019/Andrew Marty, Sr.
RB Cam Porter/So./Rushed for 301 yards and four touchdowns over the last three games in 2020/Andrew Clair, Gr.
WR Bryce Kirtz/So./Leading returning wideout had just six catches for 67 yards last season/Malik Washington, Jr.
WR JJ Jefferson/Sr./Did not play in 2020 due to injury/Wayne Dennis, So.
WR Stephon Robinson Jr./Gr./Had 75 catches for 1,092 yards and nine TDs in two years at Kansas /Berkeley Holman, Sr.
TE Charlie Mangieri/Sr./Two of his seven catches in 2020 went for touchdowns/Trey Pugh, Sr.
LT Peter Skoronski*/So./Earned second-team All-Big Ten honors after starting all nine games in 2020/Payne He’bert, So.
LG Josh Priebe/So./Appeared in eight games after choosing Northwestern over Michigan and Ohio State/Dom D’Antonio, So.
C Sam Gerak*/Sr./Has started every game over the last two seasons/Charlie Schmidt, Jr.
RG Ethan Wiederkehr*/Sr./Versatile vet has started games at both guard and tackle/Conrad Rowley, Jr.
RT Zachary Franks/So./Most likely to emerge in the battle for the starting job/Ben Wrather, So.
PK Charlie Kuhbander*/Gr./Fifth-year kicker had made 37 career field goals/Jack Olsen, So.

DEFENSE

DE Adetomiwa Adebawore*/Jr./Had two sacks but led team with seven QBH in 2020/Sean McLaughlin, So.
DT Trevor Kent/Sr./Former started limited to four games in 2020 due to injury/Joe Spivak, Gr.
DT Jason Gold/Jr./Sustained season-ending knee injury in opener/Jordan Butler, So.
DE Samdup Miller/Gr./Three-year starter returns after opting out in 2020/Devin O’Rourke, Jr.
LB Peter McIntyre/Sr./Oft-injured reserve looking to make splash as a senior/Bryce Gallagher, So.
LB Khalid Jones/Jr./Favorite to win the starting job after appearing in just five career games/Cullen Coleman, So.
LB Chris Bergin*/Gr./Former walkon is leading returning tackler with 78 in 2020/Jaylen Rivers, Jr.
CB AJ Hampton/Jr./Won the starting job for the last three games of 2020/Rod Heard, So.
CB Cameron Mitchell/So./Notched first career interception in Big Ten championship game/Garnett Hollis, So.
S Brandon Joseph*/So./Named first-team All-America after co-leading nation with six INTs/Bryce Jackson, Sr.
S Coco Azema/So./Played in all nine games in 2020, recording one interception/Jaheem Joseph, So.
P Derek Adams*/Gr./Landed 16 of 44 punts inside the 20-yard line/Jake Genyk, Jr.

Lou,

Any insights on Priebe? Has he won the job by exerting his inexorable manliness, or is he the best of a mediocre group? Our interior line is waiting for these promising young pups to grow into the role, and it cannot happen soon enough for this crusty old fan. Tell me something good!

 

[1830sherman]

That was my biggest surprise, too -- and the only "edit" my source provided.

Wow. Good info there. Somewhat belied by the text in the "Top Newcomer" section.

Meantime, excuse my OCD about this, but it should be "Whoever wins the starting job...." not "Whomever."

Anyway, thanks for sharing.

 

[lou v]

Lou,

Any insights on Priebe? Has he won the job by exerting his inexorable manliness, or is he the best of a mediocre group? Our interior line is waiting for these promising young pups to grow into the role, and it cannot happen soon enough for this crusty old fan. Tell me something good!

Not really sure about Priebe. I think that he's the guy they would like to see win the job, I can tell you that. But I don't know if he's a starter based on performance or being the best of a so-so group.

And remember: these are not etched in stone. Or even wet cement. More like Dry Erase.

 

[lou v]

Wow. Good info there. Somewhat belied by the text in the "Top Newcomer" section.

Meantime, excuse my OCD about this, but it should be "Whoever wins the starting job...." not "Whomever."

Anyway, thanks for sharing.

You might be right. But this will get edited by the folks at Lindy's before publication, so it's on them to catch all the grammar errors or typos.

 

[mickbula]

Sporting news is picking Wis or iowa to win our division. Both are preseason ranked top 25. This season may be the best chance for any of the west to break thru and beat osu (who sn picks again to win east). If ryan is as advertised and our wrs play well, I think we have a great shot of being right at the top again. Depends as well if we can reload defense too

 

[Rebel_]

WILDCATS AT A GLANCE


LOCATION: Evanston, Ill.
2020: 7-2 overall, 6-1 Big Ten (1st, Big Ten West)
COACH: Pat Fitzgerald -- 106-81 overall, 15 years, all at Northwestern
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Mike Bajakian
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jim O’Neil
RETURNING STARTERS: 8; 3 offense, 3 defense, kicker, punter
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Ryan Hilinski, RB Cam Porter, T Peter Skoronski, DE Samdup Miller, DE Adetomiwa Adebawore, LB Chris Bergin, CB AJ Hampton, S Brandon Joseph
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: The Wildcats addressed their need for firepower offensively with transfers and recruits and should be more consistent in year two under Bajakian. Even though they lost a lot of top performers, the defense is as athletic as it’s ever been and figures to again spearhead the team.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Northwestern lost their quarterback and four top receivers and will be looking for ways to make big plays offensively. The defense must replace several stars and will be installing a new system under first-year coordinator O’Neil, so a drop-off is likely.
KEY LOSSES: QB Peyton Ramsey, WR Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman, WR/KR Kyric McGowan, TE John Raine, DE Earnest Brown IV, LB Paddy Fisher, LB Blake Gallagher, CB Greg Newsome II, S JR Pace
KEY NUMBER: 2 – the number of Northwestern first-round draft picks (OL Rashawn Slater and CB Greg Newsome) in the 2021 NFL Draft, the most in school history.


QUOTE

“He's been here for a few weeks, and he's already evolved my game into something I didn't even know I could do. Having Coach O'Neil here, it's going to be exciting to see what we can do on defense.” – Safety Brandon Joseph



DEPTH CHART


OFFENSE

QB Ryan Hilinski/So./Started 11 games as true freshman at South Carolina in 2019/Andrew Marty, Sr.
RB Cam Porter/So./Rushed for 301 yards and four touchdowns over the last three games in 2020/Andrew Clair, Gr.
WR Bryce Kirtz/So./Leading returning wideout had just six catches for 67 yards last season/Malik Washington, Jr.
WR JJ Jefferson/Sr./Did not play in 2020 due to injury/Wayne Dennis, So.
WR Stephon Robinson Jr./Gr./Had 75 catches for 1,092 yards and nine TDs in two years at Kansas /Berkeley Holman, Sr.
TE Charlie Mangieri/Sr./Two of his seven catches in 2020 went for touchdowns/Trey Pugh, Sr.
LT Peter Skoronski*/So./Earned second-team All-Big Ten honors after starting all nine games in 2020/Payne He’bert, So.
LG Josh Priebe/So./Appeared in eight games after choosing Northwestern over Michigan and Ohio State/Dom D’Antonio, So.
C Sam Gerak*/Sr./Has started every game over the last two seasons/Charlie Schmidt, Jr.
RG Ethan Wiederkehr*/Sr./Versatile vet has started games at both guard and tackle/Conrad Rowley, Jr.
RT Zachary Franks/So./Most likely to emerge in the battle for the starting job/Ben Wrather, So.
PK Charlie Kuhbander*/Gr./Fifth-year kicker had made 37 career field goals/Jack Olsen, So.

DEFENSE

DE Adetomiwa Adebawore*/Jr./Had two sacks but led team with seven QBH in 2020/Sean McLaughlin, So.
DT Trevor Kent/Sr./Former starter limited to four games in 2020 due to injury/Joe Spivak, Gr.
DT Jason Gold/Jr./Sustained season-ending knee injury in opener/Jordan Butler, So.
DE Samdup Miller/Gr./Three-year starter returns after opting out in 2020/Devin O’Rourke, Jr.
LB Peter McIntyre/Sr./Oft-injured reserve looking to make splash as a senior/Bryce Gallagher, So.
LB Khalid Jones/Jr./Favorite to win the starting job after appearing in just five career games/Cullen Coleman, So.
LB Chris Bergin*/Gr./Former walkon is leading returning tackler with 78 in 2020/Jaylen Rivers, Jr.
CB AJ Hampton/Jr./Won the starting job for the last three games of 2020/Rod Heard, So.
CB Cameron Mitchell/So./Notched first career interception in Big Ten championship game/Garnett Hollis, So.
S Brandon Joseph*/So./Named first-team All-America after co-leading nation with six INTs/Bryce Jackson, Sr.
S Coco Azema/So./Played in all nine games in 2020, recording one interception/Jaheem Joseph, So.
P Derek Adams*/Gr./Landed 16 of 44 punts inside the 20-yard line/Jake Genyk, Jr.

Really outstanding work. I will buy the magazine issue, as I have for many years, to see the full write up. Excellent job!

 

[NU Houston]

Sporting news is picking Wis or iowa to win our division. Both are preseason ranked top 25.

Isn't that the case every year? 🚮

 

[eastbaycat99]

Isn't that the case every year? 🚮

Since 2015, Wisconsin and Iowa have finished in the top 3 in the division every year. Cats have been in that group 4 of 6 years. In that time Wisconsin won the division 3 time, the Cats twice and Iowa once. A sane handicapper might pick some permutation of those three every year until some other team emerges.

 

[Deeringfish]

Not really sure about Priebe. I think that he's the guy they would like to see win the job, I can tell you that. But I don't know if he's a starter based on performance or being the best of a so-so group.

And remember: these are not etched in stone. Or even wet cement. More like Dry Erase.

I know this is kind of funny logic but as excited as were are about Slater's first round pick, we didn't lose him this year. We have some solid experienced O Linemen returning with experience because Slater didn't play. I think we can expect the Line to be improved from 2020 and maybe the best we have had i a decade.

 

[NU Houston]

Since 2015, Wisconsin and Iowa have finished in the top 3 in the division every year. Cats have been in that group 4 of 6 years. In that time Wisconsin won the division 3 time, the Cats twice and Iowa once. A sane handicapper might pick some permutation of those three every year until some other team emerges.

And yet even though NU won the West last season, Iowa and Wisconsin (but not NU) show up in preseason top 25 lists this year. Those two teams, along with perpetual disappointments like Michigan and Texas, get the benefit of the doubt, while NU has to fight for respect every year. It's annoying.

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

And yet even though NU won the West last season, Iowa and Wisconsin (but not NU) show up in preseason top 25 lists this year. Those two teams, along with perpetual disappointments like Michigan and Texas, get the benefit of the doubt, while NU has to fight for respect every year. It's annoying.

It’s not about where you start; it’s about where you finish. That’s all that matters in my mind.

 

[NU Houston]

And yet even though NU won the West last season, Iowa and Wisconsin (but not NU) show up in preseason top 25 lists this year. Those two teams, along with perpetual disappointments like Michigan and Texas, get the benefit of the doubt, while NU has to fight for respect every year. It's annoying.

It’s not about where you start; it’s about where you finish. That’s all that matters in my mind.

Of course. I'd much rather be NU than Michigan, who in recent years has typically been ranked in the preseason top 10-15, only to disappoint as the seasons played out. I love that NU has been to Indy twice and Harbaugh has been....never.

 

[phatcat]

Since 2015, Wisconsin and Iowa have finished in the top 3 in the division every year. Cats have been in that group 4 of 6 years. In that time Wisconsin won the division 3 time, the Cats twice and Iowa once. A sane handicapper might pick some permutation of those three every year until some other team emerges.

Let me know the first time a sane handicapper picks us.

Have to be careful what I wish for. My previous sure-thing years were 01, 13 and 19.

This is my favorite part of the article:

“He's been here for a few weeks, and he's already evolved my game into something I didn't even know I could do. Having Coach O'Neil here, it's going to be exciting to see what we can do on defense.” – Safety Brandon Joseph

Hank was/is, deservedly, a demi-god for us. If O'Neil is as advertised by our all-american safety, we will be in good shape, defensively.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Let me know the first time a sane handicapper picks us.

Have to be careful what I wish for. My previous sure-thing years were 01, 13 and 19.

This is my favorite part of the article:

“He's been here for a few weeks, and he's already evolved my game into something I didn't even know I could do. Having Coach O'Neil here, it's going to be exciting to see what we can do on defense.” – Safety Brandon Joseph

Hank was/is, deservedly, a demi-god for us. If O'Neil is as advertised by our all-american safety, we will be in good shape, defensively.

All I know is the first time NU has a subpar D game, the Hank love will be all over the board. Let’s give the man a chance. I saw many a game where Doc’s D struggled. It happens.

 

[Hungry Jack]

All I know is the first time NU has a subpar D game, the Hank love will be all over the board. Let’s give the man a chance. I saw many a game where Doc’s D struggled. It happens.

My concern about the change is a potential change in philosophy that has our defense taking more risks, and getting burned. Hank's philosophy of making the other team put together a string of plays without a mistake in order to get points was a great fit for our personnel. We have smart players who can play with great discipline, but sometimes can be outmatched physically (even a half-step makes all the difference). Hank's conservative, avoid-the-big-play philosophy was a great scheme, and he coached it up very well. Our players seemed to love playing for him.

O'Neil's fingerprint is already on this class. He's looking to bring in fast hybrid-like guys to work the edges of the back 7. Does this mean more blitzing? Seems to. Maybe not so much this season, but soon enough. If you blitz from the edge, you often have to drop a DE into coverage. Do we have the athletes to handle that? And do we have interior guys who can exploit a single matchup and pressure the QB?

I know I am just rambling, but I think it will be very interesting to watch the defensive play calling this year. It won't always be pretty. But the good news is that I don't think there is great quarterbacking in the B1G right now (aside from NU!).

 

[torque-cat]

My concern about the change is a potential change in philosophy that has our defense taking more risks, and getting burned. Hank's philosophy of making the other team put together a string of plays without a mistake in order to get points was a great fit for our personnel. We have smart players who can play with great discipline, but sometimes can be outmatched physically (even a half-step makes all the difference). Hank's conservative, avoid-the-big-play philosophy was a great scheme, and he coached it up very well. Our players seemed to love playing for him.

O'Neil's fingerprint is already on this class. He's looking to bring in fast hybrid-like guys to work the edges of the back 7. Does this mean more blitzing? Seems to. Maybe not so much this season, but soon enough. If you blitz from the edge, you often have to drop a DE into coverage. Do we have the athletes to handle that? And do we have interior guys who can exploit a single matchup and pressure the QB?

I know I am just rambling, but I think it will be very interesting to watch the defensive play calling this year. It won't always be pretty. But the good news is that I don't think there is great quarterbacking in the B1G right now (aside from NU!).

O'Neil is in a tough spot as Hank is a legend and it's hard to imagine anyone doing better. The only area that I think O'Neil could improve is recruiting and further upgrading talent--though our talent was already getting to be pretty impressive. If O'Neil can replicate Hank's brilliance with X's and O's and upgrade talent we have a top 5-10 defense nationally year after year.

 

[Jonny2TheP]

All I know is the first time NU has a subpar D game, the Hank love will be all over the board. Let’s give the man a chance. I saw many a game where Doc’s D struggled. It happens.

Yep, this is what I said after O'Neil was first hired. We need to give him a chance. Our defense was elite last year and we lost a lot- even if Hank were still here, it is VERY likely that we would go backwards this year on defense. That's not to say our defense would/should be bad, but a step backwards is natural after a season like we just had and looking at what we lost.

It's going to be painful watching certain people rip O'Neil apart the first time our defense has a bad game. For example, imagine the MSU game last year happened in the first game this year. You think some of our fans would be reasonable about slow footed Rocky Lombardi continuously scrambling for first downs? Give me a break.

It's football. No one is perfect. Guys make mistakes. Teams have bad games (see Alabama giving up 650 yards and 48 points to Ole Miss last season). We have to give O'Neil some time to put his fingerprints on this defense and learn his personnel from game experience. It could take a year or two.

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

Yep, this is what I said after O'Neil was first hired. We need to give him a chance. Our defense was elite last year and we lost a lot- even if Hank were still here, it is VERY likely that we would go backwards this year on defense. That's not to say our defense would/should be bad, but a step backwards is natural after a season like we just had and looking at what we lost.

It's going to be painful watching certain people rip O'Neil apart the first time our defense has a bad game. For example, imagine the MSU game last year happened in the first game this year. You think some of our fans would be reasonable about slow footed Rocky Lombardi continuously scrambling for first downs? Give me a break.

It's football. No one is perfect. Guys make mistakes. Teams have bad games (see Alabama giving up 650 yards and 48 points to Ole Miss last season). We have to give O'Neil some time to put his fingerprints on this defense and learn his personnel from game experience. It could take a year or two.

“Certain people” 😜

 

[eastbaycat99]

Yep, this is what I said after O'Neil was first hired. We need to give him a chance. Our defense was elite last year and we lost a lot- even if Hank were still here, it is VERY likely that we would go backwards this year on defense. That's not to say our defense would/should be bad, but a step backwards is natural after a season like we just had and looking at what we lost.

It's going to be painful watching certain people rip O'Neil apart the first time our defense has a bad game. For example, imagine the MSU game last year happened in the first game this year. You think some of our fans would be reasonable about slow footed Rocky Lombardi continuously scrambling for first downs? Give me a break.

It's football. No one is perfect. Guys make mistakes. Teams have bad games (see Alabama giving up 650 yards and 48 points to Ole Miss last season). We have to give O'Neil some time to put his fingerprints on this defense and learn his personnel from game experience. It could take a year or two.

I have a lot of faith in Fitz in general, and agree that patience is warranted regarding O’Neil’s unenviable position in taking over for a truly great coordinator. Having said that, a coordinator change on a team that has good but not elite talent can clearly make a huge difference in performance (think of Rossi replacing Smith during the season at Minnesota in 2018.)
Cat fans are particularly vulnerable here, as we suffer PTSD like symptoms from the Colby and McCall eras and are likely to be triggered the first time half the defense is out of position and a not very good QB throws for an 80 yard TD.
I will do my best to make sure my dog is a safe distance away the first several games which I will watch barefoot to avoid injury to him from being kicked accidentally when bad stuff happens.

 

[Deeringfish]

I have a lot of faith in Fitz in general, and agree that patience is warranted regarding O’Neil’s unenviable position in taking over for a truly great coordinator. Having said that, a coordinator change on a team that has good but not elite talent can clearly make a huge difference in performance (think of Rossi replacing Smith during the season at Minnesota in 2018.)
Cat fans are particularly vulnerable here, as we suffer PTSD like symptoms from the Colby and McCall eras and are likely to be triggered the first time half the defense is out of position and a not very good QB throws for an 80 yard TD.
I will do my best to make sure my dog is a safe distance away the first several games which I will watch barefoot to avoid injury to him from being kicked accidentally when bad stuff happens.

There are good reasons to expect that O'Neil will be a good hire. There was no surprise in Hanks leaving, NU had plenty of time to be thoughtful about what and who they wanted in a DC. Unless I'm wrong Phillips was involved in the process and he has been well known to make good hires. NU has become a very attractive coaching destination; Fitz has negotiated good salaries for his staff, the program has been highly competitive for a decade and the facilities are rarely rivaled anywhere.
On balance O'Neil will be different than Hank but potentially brings some fresh skills.

 

[mikero3]

Yep, this is what I said after O'Neil was first hired. We need to give him a chance. Our defense was elite last year and we lost a lot- even if Hank were still here, it is VERY likely that we would go backwards this year on defense. That's not to say our defense would/should be bad, but a step backwards is natural after a season like we just had and looking at what we lost.

It's going to be painful watching certain people rip O'Neil apart the first time our defense has a bad game. For example, imagine the MSU game last year happened in the first game this year. You think some of our fans would be reasonable about slow footed Rocky Lombardi continuously scrambling for first downs? Give me a break.

It's football. No one is perfect. Guys make mistakes. Teams have bad games (see Alabama giving up 650 yards and 48 points to Ole Miss last season). We have to give O'Neil some time to put his fingerprints on this defense and learn his personnel from game experience. It could take a year or two.

Part of the problem will be many on this board undervaluing the players we lost on defense and immediately assuming the guys that take their place will be good...right away! forgetting the way some of the past players played as young players.

The amount of mistakes with the new defense and inexperienced players will probably be a problem especially at the beginning of the season.

I didn't criticize the OC last year because I think he did as well as he could do, with the very limited talent he had to work with.

I think we are deep on defense with the exception of safety, but not sure who the impact players will be outside of Joseph, Bergin and Tommy A.
I think it will take time to figure out the starters and youth can be and probably will be an issue. I also only have seen one above average pass rusher on last years team returning and that is Tommy A, so O'neil may have to rely on the blitz more than Hank because of a lack of pass rushers on the D line. Leaving Mitchell(whom I like a lot) and Hampton(not sold on him) on an island more than in the past.

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

Part of the problem will be many on this board undervaluing the players we lost on defense and immediately assuming the guys that take their place will be good...right away! forgetting the way some of the past players played as young players.

The amount of mistakes with the new defense and inexperienced players will probably be a problem especially at the beginning of the season.

I didn't criticize the OC last year because I think he did as well as he could do, with the very limited talent he had to work with.

I think we are deep on defense with the exception of safety, but not sure who the impact players will be outside of Joseph, Bergin and Tommy A.
I think it will take time to figure out the starters and youth can be and probably will be an issue. I also only have seen one above average pass rusher on last years team returning and that is Tommy A, so O'neil may have to rely on the blitz more than Hank because of a lack of pass rushers on the D line. Leaving Mitchell(whom I like a lot) and Hampton(not sold on him) on an island more than in the past.

Sandup Miller should help in the pass rush dept…also hearing good things about Rod Heard in the secondary. Don’t be surprised if he starts at corner in game number one.

 

[SLUCATS210]

Sandup Miller should help in the pass rush dept…also hearing good things about Rod Heard in the secondary. Don’t be surprised if he starts at corner in game number one.

The Rod Heard news is very exciting considering I was very excited about how Cameron Mitchell held up when playing for Greg Newsome in the Ohio state game. If he has surpassed Mitchell that is very telling!