I know that people are getting antsy for some good Northwestern transfer or recruiting news, so here are a handful of nuggets I picked up in talking to sources and prospects the last few days to tide you over:
- Don’t panic that South Carolina quarterback transfer Ryan Hilinski hasn’t committed to Northwestern yet. I still think it’s going to happen, but I don’t know when. Neither, apparently, do the people I talk to. One bit of advice: don’t assume that the delay in Hilinski’s announcement means that he is wavering.
- 2021 wide receiver CJ Johnson told me he is still planning to make his decision at the end of the month. NU is in very good shape with him. To me, the critical question is whether he’s planned any visits to other schools between now and then. I asked him that question but he hasn’t responded to me. It seems like NU feels like they are in a stronger position with Johnson than they are with 2021 Texas tackle Austin Uke. Uke hasn’t responded to me in quite some time.
- As I reported in another thread, running back transfer Kevin Marks of Buffalo didn’t have the grades for NU, so don’t view his decision to stay at UB as a setback for Northwestern. It’s too bad, though – he would have been a good addition to the Wildcat backfield.
- Safety transfer Makyle Sanders of North Texas is a player NU is evaluating right now. The relationship is just starting, though, so it’s too early to tell whether he will be a fit for the Cats. The first step will be looking at his grades to see if he can meet admission standards.
- I've seen speculation out there that Northwestern defensive end Eku Leota might return to Evanston based on his Instagram post. I'm not getting that sense from what I'm hearing, and I believe he will most likely wind up somewhere else next season.
- I feel like Tim McGarigle will be Northwestern’s next defensive coordinator. This isn’t as solid as an “I predict” because sources just don’t talk about coaching searches, but my gut feel is that good ol’ No. 41 will be named the DC.
I understand the anxiety associated with each passing day without news, especially since NU has had eight players announce their intention to leave, while only two have announced they are joining or staying with the program (WR Stephone Robinson Jr. from Kansas and WR Malik Washington, who will stay with NU).
But there is no real rush here, at least in terms of transfers. Johnson and Uke have to decide by Feb. 3, but all of the transfers can commit at just about any time. QB Peyton Ramsey announced his commitment to Northwestern on March 9 last year, P Derek Adams on April 24 and TE John Raine not until May 1. So it could be a while.
NU has a lot more holes to fill this year, but don’t feel like they are “behind” at this point. At least not yet.
- Don’t panic that South Carolina quarterback transfer Ryan Hilinski hasn’t committed to Northwestern yet. I still think it’s going to happen, but I don’t know when. Neither, apparently, do the people I talk to. One bit of advice: don’t assume that the delay in Hilinski’s announcement means that he is wavering.
- 2021 wide receiver CJ Johnson told me he is still planning to make his decision at the end of the month. NU is in very good shape with him. To me, the critical question is whether he’s planned any visits to other schools between now and then. I asked him that question but he hasn’t responded to me. It seems like NU feels like they are in a stronger position with Johnson than they are with 2021 Texas tackle Austin Uke. Uke hasn’t responded to me in quite some time.
- As I reported in another thread, running back transfer Kevin Marks of Buffalo didn’t have the grades for NU, so don’t view his decision to stay at UB as a setback for Northwestern. It’s too bad, though – he would have been a good addition to the Wildcat backfield.
- Safety transfer Makyle Sanders of North Texas is a player NU is evaluating right now. The relationship is just starting, though, so it’s too early to tell whether he will be a fit for the Cats. The first step will be looking at his grades to see if he can meet admission standards.
- I've seen speculation out there that Northwestern defensive end Eku Leota might return to Evanston based on his Instagram post. I'm not getting that sense from what I'm hearing, and I believe he will most likely wind up somewhere else next season.
- I feel like Tim McGarigle will be Northwestern’s next defensive coordinator. This isn’t as solid as an “I predict” because sources just don’t talk about coaching searches, but my gut feel is that good ol’ No. 41 will be named the DC.
I understand the anxiety associated with each passing day without news, especially since NU has had eight players announce their intention to leave, while only two have announced they are joining or staying with the program (WR Stephone Robinson Jr. from Kansas and WR Malik Washington, who will stay with NU).
But there is no real rush here, at least in terms of transfers. Johnson and Uke have to decide by Feb. 3, but all of the transfers can commit at just about any time. QB Peyton Ramsey announced his commitment to Northwestern on March 9 last year, P Derek Adams on April 24 and TE John Raine not until May 1. So it could be a while.
NU has a lot more holes to fill this year, but don’t feel like they are “behind” at this point. At least not yet.
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