Northwestern Team Profile
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Northwestern Wildcats (@NUFBFamily)
David Braun (1st year) (9-7) #1
Record: 8 - 5 (5 - 4)  |  Proj: 6 - 6 (#)  |  SOS: (#60)
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Northwestern's 2023 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sun 9/3 Northwestern at Rutgers+5.039.0L 7 - 24UN
Sat 9/9 Northwestern vs UTEP-1.040.0W 38 - 7OY
Sat 9/16 Northwestern at Duke+17.048.0L 14 - 38ON
Sat 9/23 Northwestern vs Minnesota+11.539.5W 37 - 34OY
Sat 9/30 Northwestern vs Penn State+27.048.0L 13 - 41ON
Sat 10/7 Northwestern vs Howard-23.051.0W 23 - 20UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/21 Northwestern at Nebraska+10.540.0L 9 - 17UY
Sat 10/28 Northwestern vs Maryland+14.048.5W 33 - 27OY
Sat 11/4 Northwestern vs Iowa+4.530.5L 7 - 10UY
Sat 11/11 Northwestern at Wisconsin+9.543.5W 24 - 10UY
Sat 11/18 Northwestern vs Purdue-2.547.5W 23 - 15UY
Sat 11/25 Northwestern at Illinois+5.046.5W 45 - 43OY
Sat 12/23 Northwestern vs Utah+6.544.5W 14 - 7UY

Record Prediction: 6 - 6 NR
Schedule Rating:  #60
Future 2027 Schedule

Northwestern's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Northwestern at Tulane+6.547.5L 3 - 23UN
Fri 9/5 Northwestern vs Western Illinois-30.548.5W 42 - 7OY
Sat 9/13 Northwestern vs Oregon+25.550.5L 14 - 34UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Northwestern vs UCLA-6.045.5W 17 - 14UN
Sat 10/4 Northwestern vs UL Monroe-12.543.5W 42 - 7OY
Sat 10/11 Northwestern at Penn State+20.546.5W 22 - 21UY
Sat 10/18 Northwestern vs Purdue-3.047.5W 19 - 0UY
Sat 10/25 Northwestern at Nebraska+7.544.5L 21 - 28OY
BYE WEEK
Fri 11/7 Northwestern at USC+14.554.5L 17 - 38ON
Sat 11/15 Northwestern vs Michigan+10.041.5L 22 - 24OY
Sat 11/22 Northwestern vs Minnesota-4.041.0W 38 - 35ON
Sat 11/29 Northwestern at Illinois+7.044.5L 13 - 20UY
Fri 12/26 Northwestern vs Central Michigan-13.543.5W 34 - 7UY

2022 Schedule Rating: NR
2025 Record: 7 - 6 (B1G: 4 - 5)
Spread Record 8 - 4 - 1 | O/U 6 - 7


Opponents: Elite, Good, Avg, Bad, Poor
Reg Season Opponents: 3 Elite, 3 Good, 2 Avg, 1 Bad, 2 Poor

Show Past Schedules
2026 class: 205 points   #52
2025 class: 188 points   #65
2024 class: 169 points   #73
2023 class: 200 points   #42
2022 class: 192 points   #44

Average Class Ranking:   #55
Average Recruiting Points: 191

Four Year Crootin Profile
Consistent Average P4
4 Year Class:  #46 - Best:  #42 Worst:  #55



CFB Crootin Averages
Big Ten Class: 222  #35
Power 4 Class: 222  #35
FBS Class: 171  #72


2021 class: 188 points   #55
2020 class: 194 points   #48
2019 class: 192 points   #49
2018 class: 180 points   #61
2017 class: 182 points   #52

Average Class Ranking:   #53
Average Recruiting Points: 187
 
Transfer Portal Classes
2023 Portal Class  #73 - 5 players, 87 Avg
2025 Portal Class  #69 - 15 players, 85 Avg
2024 Portal Class  #119 - 6 players, 85 Avg
2023 Portal Class  #73 - 5 players, 87 Avg
Transfer Portal Classes
Transfer Portal Classes
2022 Portal Class  #96 - 6 players, 82 Avg
2021 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
2020 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
2019 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
Offensive Coordinator Mike Bajakian (been OC for 3 years) #1
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Aidan Chiles12820363%13921036.9
Ryan Boe2729%17012.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Caleb Komolafe190941115.056
Gavin Sawchuk10948684.540
Joseph Himon II9948614.937
Aidan Chiles8122762.864
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Griffin Wilde71880812.449
Hayden Eligon Ii37521314.138
Ricky Ahumaraeze10200020.035
Drew Wagner2217227.840
(Tr) - new transfer in 2026

Defensive Coordinator Vacant (in his first season) #1
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Robert Fitzgerald1066014
Braydon Brus815344
Braden Turner522012
Michael Kilbane428481
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Michael Kilbane428481
Braydon Brus815344
Mason Green11100
Kobie McKinzie327140
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Josh Fussell291009
Brenden Deasfernandes250008
Robert Fitzgerald1066014
Returning Production
Overall Returning Production: % NR
Offense Returning Production: % NR
Defense Returning Production: % NR
Northwestern's Official Roster

Transfer Portal
2023 Portal Class  #73
5 Commits, 87 Avg Rating
NAN% of 2023 Roster from Portal, NAN% TY
Team Talent
2023 Talent Rating: 657.88  #52
Offense Talent NR | Defense Talent NR
2025  #41 | 2024  #52 | 2023  #52 | 2022  #46


2023 - 2023 Records
2023 Record: 8 - 5
2023 Conf Record: 5 - 4
Spread: 9 - 4 - 0 | Totals: 6 - 7

2025 Record: 7 - 6
2025 Conf Record: 4 - 5
Spread: 8 - 4 - 1 | Totals: 6 - 7

2024 Record: 4 - 8
2024 Conf Record: 2 - 7
Spread: 4 - 8 - 0 | Totals: 7 - 5

2023 Record: 8 - 5
2023 Conf Record: 5 - 4
Spread: 9 - 4 - 0 | Totals: 6 - 7

Four Year Record: 27 - 24
Four Year Record vs. Spread: 30 - 20 - 1
Four Year Conference Record: 16 - 20
2022 - 2019 Records
2022 Record: 1 - 11
2022 Conf Record: 1 - 8
Spread: 5 - 7 - 0 | Totals: 5 - 7

2021 Record: 3 - 9
2021 Conf Record: 1 - 8
Spread: 3 - 9 - 0 | Totals: 6 - 6

2020 Record: 7 - 2
2020 Conf Record: 6 - 2
Spread: 8 - 1 - 0 | Totals: 2 - 7

2019 Record: 3 - 9
2019 Conf Record: 1 - 8
Spread: 3 - 9 - 0 | Totals: 5 - 7

Eight Year Record: 41 - 55
Eight Year Record vs. Spread: 49 - 46 - 1
Eight Year Conference Record: 30 - 46

Northwestern Recent Bowl History
DateBowlMatchupSpreadTotalResult
2023Vegas Bowl Northwestern vs Utah+6.544.5W 14 - 7
2020Citrus Bowl Northwestern vs Auburn-3.543.5W 35 - 19
2018N/A Northwestern vs Utah+7.043.0W 31 - 20
2017N/A Northwestern vs Kentucky-7.550.5W 24 - 23
2016Pinstripe Bowl Northwestern vs Pittsburgh+3.063.0W 31 - 24
2015Outback Bowl Northwestern vs Tennessee+9.0L 6 - 45
Power Ranking Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Offense PPAOffense ExplOffense SuccessOffense Pts Per OppAvg Start FP3rd Down %4th Down %Defense PPADefense ExplDefense SuccessDefense Pts Per OppOpponent FP
2025.15 (83)1.18 (108)43% (57)3.21 (116)28.5 (82)43%59%.17 (72)1.15 (12)45% (117)3.37 (41)28.9 (74)
 Teams                  Offense PPAOffense ExplOffense SuccessOffense Pts Per OppAvg Start FP3rd Down %4th Down %Defense PPADefense ExplDefense SuccessDefense Pts Per OppOpponent FP
2024.02 (129)1.22 (101)37% (123)3.02 (127)28 (92)33%50%.15 (57)1.14 (16)45% (106)3.74 (64)33.6 (131)



More Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDs
20251332:1819.743%59%4.233.81.61.541.80
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDs
20241229:491633%50%4.838.81.51.34.81.93



Overall Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPPGHomeRoadSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun Rate  Pass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
2025 Offense1323.426.815.243.2% (57)3.21 (116)1.6203471611864.751% (57)47% (81)46% (46)42% (66)17% (94).15 (83)
2025 Defense1319.812.42645.3% (117)3.37 (41)1.5 - - - - - 52% (91)46% (38)47% (119)44% (101)15% (83).17 (72)
 Teams                  GamesPPGHomeRoadSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun Rate  Pass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
2024 Offense1217.8017.637.1% (123)3.02 (127)1.516285991863.445% (106)54% (31)39% (113)36% (116)19% (118).02 (129)
2024 Defense1226.3028.845% (106)3.74 (64)1.3 - - - - - 47% (26)53% (110)44% (80)46% (117)15% (77).15 (57)



Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
2025 Offense1351% (57)46% (46)34.5160.94.716 (99).14 (58)2.97 (64)76% (41)8% (33)0.91 (92)
2025 Defense1352% (91)47% (119) - - - - .18 (108)3.16 (113)71% (63)9% (93)0.99 (85)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
2024 Offense1245% (106)39% (113)29.398.63.412 (114).07 (102)2.63 (124)66% (112)11% (98)1.1 (20)
2024 Defense1247% (26)44% (80) - - - - .07 (42)2.99 (63)69% (47)8% (107)0.86 (15)



Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs     Ints     PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
2025 Offense1347% (81)42% (66)17.229.1185.96.410.817 (75)13 (108).21 (85)1.5 (97)30% (46)33% (33).31 (66)9% (130)1.8 (128)
2025 Defense1346% (38)44% (101) - - - - - - 9 (75).24 (63)1.4 (6)28% (119)34% (120).32 (82)6% (62)1.8 (20)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs     Ints     PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
2024 Offense1254% (31)36% (116)17.632.7186.15.710.67 (130)11 (72).02 (132)1.3 (134)35% (119)31% (79).2 (109)8% (121)1.8 (119)
2024 Defense1253% (110)46% (117) - - - - - - 10 (66).25 (77)1.4 (13)27% (128)35% (116).28 (55)7% (33)1.8 (24)




Team Notes


Injury Notes


Staff/Schedule Notes

 

Overall

Team Info

Power #66SP+ #51
Coaching staff Rank  #1

Record

8 - 5
B1G 5 - 4

Vs Spread9 - 4 - 0Totals6 - 7
One Score Games '25: (3-3)(11-6 under D.B.)

5 Year Profile

Improving Top G5

'26 Profile

Up to Below Avg P4
Performance #44
Special Teams #97

Returning Production

From 2025

0%NR
NW lost their 25 starting QB
Offense %NR
Defense %NR
Returning Starters: (Off: ) - (Def: )
Proj Portal Starters: (Off: ) - (Def: )
Exp'd Depth: (Off: ) - (Def: )
OL Prod: 0%NR starters, exp'd depth
OL Snaps: 0 NRFrom Portal: NR
Rush Prod: %NR
Rec Prod: %NR
Front Seven: %NR
Secondary: %NR

Roster

Talent Info

Talent #52
Blue Chips (10%) #49
Portal Class  #735 players (87 Avg)
Crootin '26 Class  #524 YR Class Rating #46

Talent Profile

Consistent Average P4
NAN% of Roster from Portal, NAN% TY
NAN% of '26 Roster are New (Fr + Portals)

(OC) Mike Bajakian 3

 #1

(DC) Vacant 1

 #1

2023 Schedule

Information

SOS #60

Northwestern plays 4 opps off a byeHOW & NEB & MD & IOWA
OppsElite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
2025 Record: 7 - 6 (8 - 4 - 1) (B1G: 4 - 5)
2024 Record: 4 - 8 (4 - 8 - 0) (B1G: 2 - 7)

Win History

Past 5 years 4

Avg under David B 8
4 Yr Record (27 - 24)
8 Yr Record (41 - 55)

Notes

Live Team Notes

Roster Experience

Snaps & Starter Info

Snaps Returning

0 (0%)NR

%of Snaps by Upperclass
Offense: 0NR
Defense: 0NR
Players with Starting Exp () on Off, on Def

Upperclass

Starters of (%)2-Deep of (%)
Senior/Gr starters: (%) (Off: , Def: )
Upperclass Two-Deep: of (%)
Upperclass on Roster: %( of 0)

Portals

Top '23 Incoming Portals

A.J. Henning (WR)3★ (.87)
Cam Johnson (WR)3★ (.86)

Top Players

Top Performers on Roster

Top Players N/A Before 2025

Recruits

Top '23 Incoming Recruits

Nigel Glover (LB)4★ (.90)
Dylan Senda (IOL)3★ (.89)
Damon Walters (S)3★ (.88)
Michael Kilbane (EDGE)3★ (.88)
Anthony Birsa (IOL)3★ (.88)
Tyler Gant (DL)3★ (.88)
Chico Holt (TE)3★ (.88)
Camp Magee (TE)3★ (.87)

Overall

Four Year Ratings Profile

#71 #101 #54 #59

Offense

Four Year Ratings Profile

#104 #125 #80 #85

Defense

Four Year Ratings Profile

#30 #67 #40 #48