Keep up with the latest moves throughout the offseason.
Let the frenzy begin.
With the 2023 season officially over, all the attention turns to the offseason, more specifically the transfer portal. Throughout the offseason, Inside NU will keep you updated on all things regarding the portal. This story will continue to be updated throughout the winter and spring.
Outgoing Transfers
LG Josh Priebe
Priebe was the first starter to enter his name in the transfer portal, announcing his departure from Evanston before the Las Vegas Bowl. Priebe played in all 12 regular season games in 2023 after missing time in 2022 with a torn ACL, and he earned Third Team All-Big Ten honors. In a statement posted to Twitter, Priebe cited uncertainty regarding OL coach Kurt Anderson’s job security as a reason for leaving Northwestern. On Dec. 28, Priebe — a native Michigan resident — announced his commitment to U of M.
DB Rod Heard II
Heard became Northwestern’s second major transfer exit, announcing the move on Dec. 28. The grad transfer was a linchpin of the Wildcats’ defense for several years as a nickel/slot cornerback, earning a team-best 82.3 Pro Football Focus grade and accumulating four TFLs, an interception, a sack, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and 85 tackles this year.
Per source, Heard has already garnered interest from incredibly high-level programs, including Michigan, Ohio State and Notre Dame.
DT Matt Lawson
Lawson played only 16 snaps in NU’s opener at Rutgers after suffering a season-ending knee injury. Otherwise, he would’ve figured to be a starter on the inside of Christian Smith’s revamped defensive line. Now, he’ll hit the portal for a second straight offseason.
OL Alexander Doost
The first-year offensive lineman announced on Dec. 27 via Twitter that he would be entering the portal.
DB Nigel Williams
Williams entered the portal at the end of November. With two years of eligibility, the Virginia native will look for a new home after playing four games in 2023.
QB Cole Freeman
Freeman entered the portal on Dec. 4, per On3. He’ll look for a chance at more playing time after providing depth at the back of the quarterback room during his three seasons in Evanston. The junior QB started the final two games of the 2022 season against Purdue and Illinois.
Players Staying
ILB Xander Mueller
So far, Mueller is the only Wildcat to announce his intentions to stay for his fifth season, which he did Thursday afternoon on Instagram. Mueller was the centerpiece of Northwestern’s upstart defense this past season, earning Third Team All-Big Ten plaudits by posting three interceptions, 10.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, 110 tackles and a forced fumble. His NFL stock was already on the upswing, but Mueller will look to (if it’s even possible) have an even better 2024 in purple and white.
WR A.J. Henning
After Henning responded to and liked tweets to indicate that he’ll be back in 2024, he announced on Twitter that he would return to Evanston in 2024 on Dec. 29. Without Cam Johnson and possibly Kirtz, he’ll have the chance to have a more feature role as potentially the ‘Cats’ top pass-catcher next year.
To Be Determined
ILB Bryce Gallagher
WR Bryce Kirtz
Despite being fifth-years in 2023, both Gallagher and Kirtz possess an extra year of eligibility awarded to players on rosters of teams playing during the COVID-19 pandemic (both redshirted in 2019). However, each could decide to turn pro after relatively solid seasons and careers.
S Coco Azema
Azema redshirted his first season in 2019 and spent five total seasons in Evanston. He has one more year left due to COVID.
CB Garnett Hollis Jr.
Hollis capped a standout 2023 with a marquee showing in the Las Vegas Bowl, racking up a critical pass deflection and three stops. He would definitely attract interest at the next level if he elects to declare for the draft, but he also could remain with Northwestern for 2024.
EDGE Jaylen Pate
EDGE Richie Hagarty
Both Pate and Hagarty are college football veterans, with Northwestern being their second stops. Yet, both have a year of eligibility left on the docket, according to their Twitter pages. The two combined for 35 pressures, 5.5 sacks and seven TFLs in 2023, with Pate becoming the Wildcats’ top regular EDGE player. It would certainly provide a critical add to a deeper group if the two stay; if not, look for EDGE to be a position to target in the portal with Anto Saka, Aidan Hubbard and Michael Kilbane returning.
RB Cam Porter
Porter has two years left of eligibility due to COVID and a medical redshirt when he tore his ACL in fall camp in 2021. In 2023, Porter served as the bell cow for the Wildcats, racking up 651 rushing yards and four touchdowns, adding 121 and a score in the passing game. No. 4 started to find his groove in the back half of the season, having strong performances against Wisconsin and Purdue. In 2024, the ‘Cats may take a back-by-committee approach with Joseph Himon II, Tre Tyus II, and Caleb Komolafe showing flashes in 2023.
EDGE Sean McLaughlin
RG Dom D’Antonio
OC Ben Wrather
Players Out of Eligibility
QB Ben Bryant
WR Cam Johnson
TE Charlie Mangieri