Northwestern overhauled its roster after a rough 2024 season, but will it be enough to challenge Michigan in Week 12? Here’s everything you need to know about the new-look Wildcats:
Northwestern’s 2024 season ended in familiar territory, to say the least.
The 4-8 finish wasn’t shocking on paper — the Wildcats struggled in Big Ten play, found little consistency on offense and were blown out more often than not. Still, optimism for 2025 has quietly emerged in Evanston, where head coach David Braun hit the transfer portal harder than just about anyone in the country. The result? A vastly different-looking roster and a program hoping to take a tangible step forward.
Whether that hope materializes into actual wins remains to be seen. Northwestern still has massive question marks on both sides of the ball and will navigate a brutal schedule that includes visits from Oregon, UCLA, and Michigan, and road trips to Penn State, Nebraska and USC. The Wildcats might be better, but they could also have an even worse record than from a season ago.
The Basics
Game information: Saturday, Nov. 15 (Time TBD), Wrigley Field
2024 record: 4-8 (2-7 Big Ten)
2025 projected wins: 3.5 (per FanDuel)
Last meeting: 2024, Michigan won, 50-6
Roster Moves
Notable portal additions: QB Preston Stone (SMU), WR Griffin Wilde (South Dakota State), OL Xavior Gray (Liberty), OL Martes Lewis (Minnesota), OL Evan Beerntsen (SDSU), LB Yanni Karlaftis (Purdue), S Dillon Tatum (Michigan State ), CB Fred Davis (Jacksonville State), DE Richie Hagarty (Jacksonville State)
Notable losses: S Coco Azema (NFL), QB Jack Lausch (baseball priority), CB Theran Johnson (Oregon), WR AJ Henning (grad), DT Jaylen Pate (grad)
State of the Program
Northwestern landed 14 transfers, with as many as 11 expected to start. Most notable is quarterback Preston Stone, a former four-star recruit from SMU who is hoping to elevate the Wildcats’ offense. Behind a rebuilt offensive line anchored by returning starter Caleb Tiernan and new additions like All-CUSA tackle Xavior Gray, Stone will have a chance to lead what could be a much-improved unit if the pieces click.
Returning running back Cam Porter should get the bulk of the carries, but Joseph Himon II, who averaged nearly five yards per carry last year, could see more work. The wide receiver room is still thin, but South Dakota State transfer Griffin Wilde — who torched Oklahoma State for 150 yards last year — gives the group a legitimate downfield threat.
On defense, Northwestern’s strength might lie in its versatility. Linebacker Mac Uihlein returns after leading the team in tackles, while Purdue transfer Yanni Karlaftis slots in at the WILL spot. The secondary took a hit with Theran Johnson’s departure, but gets a boost with Fred Davis and Dillon Tatum joining the fold.
The defensive line should rotate heavily, with familiar names like Najee Story and Carmine Bastone returning, and a few new faces like Richie Hagarty and Miguel Jackson expected to factor in. Overall, Northwestern should end up pretty deep in the trenches.
Special teams is also expected to be a bright spot. Freshman punter Niki Dugandzic was the top ranked prospect at his position nationally, while kicker Jack Olsen returns after missing most of last season with an injury. Add in Drew Wagner (who returned a punt for a touchdown in 2024) and Himon on kick returns, and the Wildcats could quietly have one of the more reliable special teams units in the Big Ten.
Still, the road ahead is steep. Northwestern’s schedule is loaded with playoff contenders and emerging powers. ESPN’s FPI gives the Wildcats less than a 20 percent chance to reach bowl eligibility, and Phil Steele ranked them 16th out of the 18 Big Ten teams. Even a more talented version of this squad could struggle to match last season’s win total.
If the offense clicks early, Stone stays healthy and the defense can hold up against the Big Ten’s best, Northwestern might at least be feisty. If not, it could be another long fall in Evanston — and a routine win for Michigan.