NFL
By Bill Carroll
After a turbulent 2024 season (4–8), Northwestern enters 2025 with cautious optimism. Head Coach David Braun, who led the team to an 8–5 record and a bowl win in 2023, the collapse in 2024 makes 2025 a pivotal year. David Braun is a native of Wales, Wisconsin, near Chicago. His family moved to Wisconsin when he was in grade school. He played football at Kettle Moraine.
In college, he played on the defensive line at Winona State (2004-2007). His coaching career started in 2008 as a graduate assistant at Winona State.e In 2015, he became the defensive line coach at UC Davis until the end of the 2016 season. He was the defensive line coach and run game coordinator at Northern Iowa and was made the outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator before arriving at North Dakota State in 2019. His current record is 12-13.
Emerging Players & Key Returnees
Preston Stone (QB, SMU Transfer) is the centerpiece of Northwestern’s offensive hopes. His 2023 stats at SMU were elite: 3,197 yards, 28 TDs, 6 INTs, 161.3 passer rating. He’s already earned praise for leadership and chemistry with teammates.
Griffin Wilde (WR, SDSU Transfer) Wilde, who had 70 catches and 12 TDs last season, is expected to be WR #1. His vertical threat complements Stone’s deep-ball ability.
Aidan Hubbard (EDGE) Hubbard is returning after a 6-sack, 7-TFL season, and is the defensive anchor. His chemistry with Anto Saka (3.5 sacks, 5 TFLs) gives Northwestern a formidable pass rush.
Damon Walters (S) With the departure of top interceptors Devin Turner and Theran Johnson, Walters becomes the leader of a thin secondary. He had 42 tackles and 1 INT in 2024.
Joseph Himon II (RB) With Cam Porter gone, Himon steps into the starting role. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry on 57 attempts last season.
Injury & Roster Updates
Jack Lausch (QB) left the team to pursue baseball. DL Henry Fioriglio and Logan Uihlein are no longer on the roster. LB Nathaniel Campbell (Yale transfer) adds depth to the linebacker corps.
Defensive Line: A Strength
The defensive line returns nearly intact: Carmine Bastone, Najee Story, Richie Hagarty, and Miguel Jackson join Hubbard and Saka. Anto Saka praised the unit’s continuity and film-room culture.
Secondary: A Riddle Wrapped In Question Marks
Losses of Turner and Johnson leave the secondary vulnerable. Walters and transfer Fred Davis II must step up immediately. Depth remains a concern, especially against elite Big Ten passing attacks.
Coaching & Culture
Braun’s leadership remains a bright spot. His portal strategy and staff additions (like offensive line coach Ryan Olson) show a commitment to fixing past weaknesses. The offensive line, which allowed 23 sacks last year, has been rebuilt with transfers like Xavier Gray and Zach Beernsten.
🏈 Here’s a look at the 2025 Northwestern Wildcats football schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (CT) |
| Aug 30 | Tulane | New Orleans, LA | 11:00 AM |
| Sep 5 | Western Illinois | Evanston, IL | 6:30 PM |
| Sep 13 | Oregon | Evanston, IL | 11:00 AM |
| Sep 27 | UCLA | Evanston, IL | TBA |
| Oct 4 | UL Monroe (Homecoming) | Evanston, IL | 11:00 AM or 2:30 PM |
| Oct 11 | Penn State | University Park, PA | TBA |
| Oct 18 | Purdue | Evanston, IL | TBA |
| Oct 25 | Nebraska | Lincoln, NE | TBA |
| Nov 7 (Fri) | USC | Los Angeles, CA | 6:00 PM |
| Nov 15 | Michigan | Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL | TBA |
| Nov 22 | Minnesota | Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL | TBA |
| Nov 29 | Illinois | Urbana-Champaign, IL | TBA |
Key Games & Bowl Outlook
Toughest Match-ups: Oregon, Penn State, USC, Michigan, Illinois
Winnable Games: Western Illinois, ULM, Purdue, Tulane, UCLA, Minnesota
Projected Win Total: 5.5
Best Case: 7–5 with strong QB play and OL cohesion
Most Likely: 6–6, earning bowl eligibility
Worst Case: 4–8 if injuries or OL struggles persist
First Game Xs and Os Breakdown: Northwestern vs. Western Illinois
🧠 Coaching Philosophy
David Braun emphasizes:
- Defensive toughness: Gap integrity, disciplined pursuit, and situational awareness.
- Offensive adaptability: Under OC Zach Lujan, expect tempo-based spread concepts with vertical passing and RPO elements.
- Special teams’ aggression: Field position is a weapon, especially with Drew Wagner returning punts.
📐 Offensive Scheme
Base Formation: Spread 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR)
Key Concepts:
- RPOs: Preston Stone reads edge defenders to decide between handoff or quick slant.
- Verticals: Griffin Wilde stretches the field deep, opening underneath routes.
- Zone runs: Joseph Himon II operates behind a rebuilt OL using inside/outside zone.
Match-up Advantage:
- Western Illinois lacks speed in the secondary. Expect NU to test them early with deep shots and tempo.
🛡️ Defensive Scheme
Base Formation: 4–2–5 nickel
Key Concepts:
- Edge pressure: Hubbard and Saka will attack off the edge.
- Zone coverage: Safeties like Walters will rotate post-snap to confuse reads.
- Interior stunts: Bastone and Jackson will loop to disrupt run lanes.
Match-up Advantage:
- WIU’s offensive line is undersized. Expect NU to dominate the trenches and force early third-and-longs.
The Judge’s Verdict
Northwestern is better positioned than last year, thanks to:
- A proven QB in Stone
- A deep and experienced defensive line
- Strategic portal additionsHowever, the secondary depth, offensive line chemistry, and brutal schedule mean bowl eligibility will require near-perfect execution and a few upsets.
Prediction: 6–6 regular season, earning a lower-tier bowl berth
