Northwestern Wildcats
81
76
OFF
84
DEF
Solid
Matchup
Big Ten7-6 (2025)#52 Recruiting89% Returning
Depth Chart· Updated Aug 17, 2026· Two-deep · Public sources
QB
  1. 0
    80
    Aidan ChilesSR/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 4
    70
    Nicco MarchiolRS SR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 2
    51
    Ryan BoeRS SO
RB
  1. 5
    83
    Caleb KomolafeRS JR
    Starter
  2. 27
    77
    Gavin SawchukGR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 6
    66
    Joseph Himon IIGR
WR-X
  1. 8
    81
    Hayden Eligon IIJR
    Starter
  2. 10
    67
    Ricky AhumaraezeRS JR
  3. 87
    52
    Carson GroveRS SO
WR-Z
  1. 17
    82
    Griffin WildeSR/TR
    Starter
  2. 3
    58
    Frank Covey IVRS JR
  3. 82
    53
    Jaden McDuffieFR
SLOT
  1. 19
    73
    Drew WagnerJR
    Starter
  2. 87
    58
    Carson GroveRS SO
  3. 20
    50
    Chase FarrellRS SO/TR
TE
  1. 84
    73
    Luke DehnickeRS SO/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 86
    73
    Alex HonigGR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 83
    53
    Blake Van BurenGR
LT
  1. 74
    79
    Grant SeagrenRS JR/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 75
    77
    Arkel AnugwomRS JR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 70
    53
    Leighton BurbachFR
LG
  1. 62
    72
    Ezomo OratokhaiRS SO
    Starter
  2. 71
    66
    Dennis RahouskiRS SO
  3. 77
    60
    Idrys CottonRS SO
C
  1. 65
    65
    Jackson CarselloGR
    Starter
RG
  1. 64
    72
    Anthony BirsaRS JR
    Starter
  2. 67
    59
    Jace BorcherdingRS SO
  3. 50
    53
    Owen ForsFR
RT
  1. 73
    72
    Deuce McGuireRS SR
    Starter
  2. 61
    66
    David AnchondoRS JR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 72
    53
    Jack FuchsFR
2026 Schedule

0 games

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

Team Analysis
WHY #43 IN WS POWER

2025 SP+: 5.8 → 5.3 after regression

65%

Roster talent: 57th percentile

18%

Recruiting class: #52 national

16%

Returning production: 89%

4%

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

Portal

16 adds in two-deep · avg 76 OVR · top add: K. McKinzie (MLB, 90, from Oklahoma)

Camp battles to watch2
Coach NorthwesternTake them from week one to the natty. You call every play.

Updated Aug 17, 2026 · Data from public sources

Who starts for Northwestern?

Northwestern Wildcats starting lineup

Aidan Chiles is the projected starting quarterback for Northwestern as of August 17, 2026. Nicco Marchiol is listed second.

Northwestern also projects Caleb Komolafe at running back, Hayden Eligon II at wide receiver and Luke Dehnicke at tight end.

The full Northwestern Wildcats two-deep was last updated August 17, 2026. Preseason depth charts are projections and change through fall camp.

Aidan Chiles · QBCaleb Komolafe · RBHayden Eligon II · WR-XLuke Dehnicke · TE

Common questions

Who is Northwestern's starting quarterback?
Aidan Chiles is the projected starting quarterback for Northwestern as of August 17, 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?
Hayden Eligon II is the projected starter at wide receiver for Northwestern, with Ricky Ahumaraeze 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 August 17, 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).