Northwestern Wildcats Depth Chart

82
80
OFF
84
DEF
Solid
Matchup
Big Ten1-0 (2026)#52 Recruiting89% Returning
Depth Chart· Updated Sep 16, 2026· Two-deep · Public sources
QB
  1. 0
    84
    Aidan ChilesSR/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 4
    74
    Nicco MarchiolRS SR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 2
    55
    Ryan BoeRS SO
RB
  1. 5
    87
    Caleb KomolafeRS JR
    Starter
  2. 27
    81
    Gavin SawchukGR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 6
    69
    Joseph Himon IIGR
WR-X
  1. 10
    77
    Ricky AhumaraezeRS JR
    Starter
  2. 87
    62
    Carson GroveRS SO
WR-Z
  1. 17
    86
    Griffin WildeSR/TR
    Starter
  2. 3
    62
    Frank Covey IVRS JR
  3. 82
    57
    Jaden McDuffieFR
SLOT
  1. 19
    76
    Drew WagnerJR
    Starter
  2. 87
    62
    Carson GroveRS SO
  3. 20
    54
    Chase FarrellRS SO/TR
TE
  1. 84
    77
    Luke DehnickeRS SO/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 86
    77
    Alex HonigGR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 41
    54
    Robby PreckelSO
LT
  1. 74
    85
    Grant SeagrenRS JR/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 75
    79
    Arkel AnugwomRS JR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 70
    57
    Leighton BurbachFR
LG
  1. 71
    76
    Dennis RahouskiRS SO
    Starter
C
  1. 64
    76
    Anthony BirsaRS JR
    Starter
RG
  1. 77
    76
    Idrys CottonRS SO
    Starter
  2. 67
    63
    Jace BorcherdingRS SO
  3. 50
    57
    Owen ForsFR
RT
  1. 73
    76
    Deuce McGuireRS SR
    Starter
  2. 61
    70
    David AnchondoRS JR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 72
    57
    Jack FuchsFR

Next game kickoff time

Northwestern Wildcats plays Colorado at home on Sat, Sep 19. The listed kickoff time is 07:30 PM ET.

See the schedule and scores →

Coaching Staff

Head CoachDavid Braunsince 2023
Offensive CoordinatorChip Kelly
Defensive CoordinatorTim McGarigle

What's Next

Who do they play next?vs Colorado · Sat, Sep 19 · 07:30 PM ETWho's starting at QB?Aidan Chiles — starting quarterback for NorthwesternHow do they compare?Pick an opponent for Northwestern
2026 Schedule

0 games

Tap any game for the matchup breakdown — history, projection, and a simulated result.

    Team Analysis
    WHY #41 IN WS POWER

    2025 SP+: 7.8

    85%

    Roster talent: 56th percentile

    7%

    Recruiting class: #52 national

    6%

    Returning production: 89%

    2%

    Preseason blend — SP+ weight rises when 2026 numbers publish (Aug). How we rank · not a betting line.

    Portal

    16 adds in two-deep · avg 79 OVR · top add: K. McKinzie (MLB, 91, from Oklahoma)

    Camp battles to watch3
    Coach NorthwesternTake them from week one to the natty. You call every play.

    Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Data from public sources

    Who starts for Northwestern?

    Northwestern Wildcats starting lineup

    Aidan Chiles is the projected starting quarterback for Northwestern as of September 16, 2026. Nicco Marchiol is listed second.

    Northwestern also projects Caleb Komolafe at running back, Ricky Ahumaraeze at wide receiver and Luke Dehnicke at tight end.

    The full Northwestern Wildcats two-deep was last updated September 16, 2026. Preseason depth charts are projections and change through fall camp.

    Aidan Chiles · QBCaleb Komolafe · RBRicky Ahumaraeze · WR-XLuke Dehnicke · TE

    Common questions

    Who is Northwestern's starting quarterback?
    Aidan Chiles is the projected starting quarterback for Northwestern as of September 16, 2026. Nicco Marchiol is listed second.
    Who starts at running back for Northwestern?
    Caleb Komolafe is the projected starter at running back for Northwestern, with Gavin Sawchuk listed second.
    Who starts at wide receiver for Northwestern?
    Ricky Ahumaraeze is the projected starter at wide receiver for Northwestern, with Carson Grove listed second.
    Who starts at tight end for Northwestern?
    Luke Dehnicke is the projected starter at tight end for Northwestern, with Alex Honig listed second.
    When was the Northwestern Wildcats depth chart last updated?
    The Northwestern Wildcats depth chart on Who's Starting was last updated September 16, 2026. It refreshes daily through the season.
    What was Northwestern's record last season?
    Northwestern Wildcats finished 7-6 (4-5 in Big Ten play).
    When does Northwestern Wildcats play next?
    Northwestern Wildcats plays Colorado at home on Sat, Sep 19. The listed kickoff time is 07:30 PM ET.

    Full Northwestern roster

    Every player on the Northwestern Wildcats depth chart, by position.

    Offense

    WR: Ricky Ahumaraeze, Carson Grove

    WR: Griffin Wilde, Frank Covey IV, Jaden McDuffie

    WR: Drew Wagner, Carson Grove, Chase Farrell

    LT: Grant Seagren, Arkel Anugwom, Leighton Burbach

    LG: Dennis Rahouski

    C: Anthony Birsa

    RG: Idrys Cotton, Jace Borcherding, Owen Fors

    RT: Deuce McGuire, David Anchondo, Jack Fuchs

    TE: Luke Dehnicke, Alex Honig, Robby Preckel

    QB: Aidan Chiles, Nicco Marchiol, Ryan Boe

    RB: Caleb Komolafe, Gavin Sawchuk, Joseph Himon II

    Defense

    DE: Callen Campbell, Caden O'Rourke, Jack Trautmann

    DT: Brendan Flakes, Mason Mayne

    DT: Tyler Gant, Dylan Roberts, Troy Regovich

    DE: Jamaal Johnson, Dominic Kirks, Jonah Hayes

    WLB: Braydon Brus, Jack Sadowsky V, Payton Roth

    MLB: Kobie McKinzie, Nigel Glover

    CB: Ore Adeyi, Montae Pate, Marquet Dorsey Jr.

    SS: Damon Walters, Alijah Jones

    FS: Robert Fitzgerald, Jon Jon Stevens Jr.

    CB: Josh Fussell, Brenden Deasfernandes

    NB: Braden Turner

    RES: Blake Van Buren, Glory Stephen-Wangboje, Jackson Carsello, Hayden Eligon II, Migo Jackson

    RES: Michael Kilbane, Ezomo Oratokhai

    Special Teams

    PT: Nikola Dugandzic, Marko Dubak

    PK: Jackson Kleather, Noah Sur, Henry Helms

    KO: Noah Sur, Nikola Dugandzic, Henry Helms

    LS: Jack Florentine, Evan Boutorwick

    H: Henry Helms, Marko Dubak

    PR: Griffin Wilde, Drew Wagner

    KR: Robby Preckel, Chase Farrell