Northwestern Wildcats College Football Preview 2021: Top Players
Best Northwestern Wildcats Offensive Player
RB Cam Porter, Soph.
Tackle Peter Skoronski should be right here in the mix, too, but it’s Porter who took over the offense late in the year – and he’s why losing good backs Drake Anderson and Isaiah Bowser to the transfer portal doesn’t hurt so much.
The 5-10, 220-pound true sophomore didn’t do too much over his first six games – just eight carries for 32 yards – and then came the 142-yard, two-touchdown day against Illinois, a decent 61-yard performance against Ohio State, and the workhorse 33-carry effort for 98 yards and a score in the bowl win over Auburn. He needs more big runs, but he’ll settle the offense.
2. OT Peter Skoronski, Soph.
3. QB Ryan Hilinski, Soph.
4. C Sam Gerak, Sr.
5. WR Stephon Robinson, Sr.
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Best Northwestern Wildcats Defensive Player
S Brandon Joseph, Soph.
One of the nation’s best all-around safeties, the 6-1, 192-pounder came up with a huge redshirt freshman season with 52 tackles, six picks and two broken up passes in his nine games of work.
He’s not a massive hitter, but he’s always around the ball – he came up with two interceptions against both Iowa and Wisconsin – and he’s rock-solid against the run.
2. LB Chris Bergin, Sr.
3. DT Joe Spivak, Sr.
4. DE Adetomiwa Adebawore, Jr.
5. CB AJ Hampton, Jr.
Top Incoming Northwestern Wildcats Transfer
QB Ryan Hilinski, Soph.
It’s debatable. Kansas WR Stephon Robinson might end up playing the biggest role if Hilinski doesn’t lock down the starting quarterback job – he’ll have to battle with Hunter Johnson and others for it.
However, the former South Carolina starter – he hit 58% of his throws for 2,391 yards and 11 touchdowns in his 13 games – has the size, the arm, and the experience to step in for Peyton Ramsey and make the new group of receivers produce.