The Northwestern Wildcats defied all expectations in 2023, emerging as one of the biggest surprises in college football.
After a tumultuous offseason that saw the departure of long-time head coach Pat Fitzgerald due to a hazing scandal, the Wildcats were led by interim head coach David Braun following a dismal 1-11 record the previous year. With expectations low, few predicted anything positive for Northwestern, yet they proved everyone wrong in a big way.
The Wildcats were a win over Iowa away from earning a spot in the Big Ten Championship game. Still, Northwestern finished the regular season with an 8-5 overall record following a bowl win over Utah and a shocking 5-4 mark in the Big Ten.
Looking ahead to 2024, Northwestern has the potential to build on its surprising bowl game appearance, now under full-time head coach David Braun. With nine defensive starters returning, the Wildcats are well-positioned to capitalize on their success.
Who are the Northwestern Wildcats’ top returning players in 2024?
Northwestern Wildcats Top Returning Players
10) Mac Uihlein, LB
With nine defensive starters returning for the Wildcats, there will be a lot of defensive players on the list. Northwestern’s strength starts with its linebackers, and one of its returning backers is Mac Uihlein, who will man the weak side for the Wildcats in 2024.
Uihlein appeared in 10 games last season, recording 18 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one pass breakup. He’ll be part of an excellent linebacking corps for the Wildcats.
9) Carmine Bastone, DT
The defensive front will be essential for Northwestern, and it starts up front with Carmine Bastone, the Wildcats’ returning defensive tackle.
The 6-2, 297-pound defensive lineman is athletic and agile for his size. In 2023, he notched 23 total tackles, including a sack. The Cats will need Bastone to take a giant leap in 2023 to anchor their defensive front.
8) Aidan Hubbard, DE
A big part of Northwestern’s aggressive defense is their ability to rush the passer, which starts with Aidan Hubbard.
Coach Braun will rely on Hubbard to continue building on his impressive performance from last season. In his breakout campaign, the Ohio native led Northwestern’s defense with six sacks and earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors.
Hubbard played in all 13 games last season, totaling 27 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, a team-high 6.0 sacks, and one pass breakup. He ranked 10th in the Big Ten in sacks and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after recording three sacks in a victory over Maryland.
7) Devin Turner, SS
The Wildcats will have the most experienced secondary in the Big Ten, and it starts with Devin Turner, a playmaking safety with a nose for the football.
Turner had an excellent 2023, playing in 13 games and making 12 starts. He recorded 79 tackles, 1.0 for loss, one interception, and five passes broken up.
Turner finished fourth on the team in tackles and tied for the team lead in passes broken up. Impressively, he became the first Wildcat since JR Pace in 2018 to record over 75 tackles and break up at least five passes in a single season.
Turner finished the season with one interception, but his tape shows he had the opportunity to end with a handful. He has a chance to be a breakout performer for the Wildcats in 2024.
6) Coco Azema, FS
Joining Turner in the secondary is Coco Azema, a playmaking safety who can display serious physicality. Known for his strength and strong tackling against the run, Azema was a consistent presence in 2023.
Azema’s standout moment last season came when he secured the game-winning interception in Northwestern’s surprising victory over Maryland.
Despite missing the last three games of the season due to injury, Azema played in 10 games, made four starts, and recorded 47 tackles, one interception, and one pass breakup.
At the time of his injury, he ranked fifth on the team in tackles. Azema’s efforts earned him All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors.
As a captain again in 2024, Azema is crucial to the Wildcats’ defense.
5) Kenny Soares Jr, LB
Kenny Soares Jr. comes in as the Wildcat’s most versatile backer and can line up all over the field. He can emerge as a big-time playmaker for Northwestern’s defense in 2024.
Soares played in 12 games last season, making five starts. He totaled 37 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and broke up two passes.
With a more significant role in 2024, Soares will be critical in the success of the Wildcats defensive unit.
4) Xander Mueller, LB
Xander Mueller, a third-team All-Big Ten honoree, had an outstanding 2023 season, showcasing his versatility. Mueller will undoubtedly play a massive role on defense for the Cats in 2024.
He recorded 110 tackles, five sacks, three interceptions, and a forced fumble in 2023. Mueller ranked fourth in the Big Ten in total tackles and eighth in tackles for loss, leading Northwestern in tackles for loss for the second consecutive year.
Mueller also made history by becoming the first Wildcat since at least 2000 to achieve 100+ tackles, 5+ sacks, and 3+ interceptions in a single season—an accomplishment matched by only two other Big Ten players since 2000.
Additionally, his three interceptions were the most by a Big Ten linebacker in a season since Northwestern’s Blake Gallagher achieved the same feat in 2019.
Mueller can emerge as one of the top defenders in the Big Ten in 2024.
3) AJ Henning, WR
Northwestern’s wide receiver room looks strong, and Henning is critical to that success. After transferring from Michigan, where he spent the first three years of his college career, Henning made an immediate impact for the Wildcats in 2023.
He caught 45 passes for 418 yards and four touchdowns. Henning also contributed on special teams, returning 10 punts for 69 yards and 15 kickoffs for 330 yards, which ranked fourth in the Big Ten.
Henning’s all-around performance earned him All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors. He finished 12th in the conference with 77.3 all-purpose yards per game, accumulating 927 total all-purpose yards — the most by a Northwestern wide receiver since Austin Carr in 2016.
Henning became the first Wildcat since 2005 to record four or more receiving touchdowns and at least one rushing touchdown in the same season, joining Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. as the only Big Ten players to achieve this feat in 2023.
2) Cam Porter, RB
Cam Porter is poised to play a vital role in Northwestern’s offense in 2024. With the Wildcats breaking in a new quarterback, Porter’s ability to establish a solid running game will be essential in easing the transition and taking pressure off the offense.
Last season, Porter rushed for 651 yards and four touchdowns on 166 carries. As a starter in all 13 games, Porter led the team in rushing yards and touchdowns.
He ranked seventh in the Big Ten in plays from scrimmage (187) and 13th in rushing yards. Porter’s impressive performance has earned him a spot as a candidate for the 2024 Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s most outstanding college running back.
1) Bryce Kirtz, WR
Northwestern’s passing attack wasn’t exactly explosive in 2023, but Kirtz still managed to put up impressive numbers. He finished the year with 49 receptions for 701 yards and five touchdowns, making him the most dangerous weapon on the offense — a role he’s expected to maintain in 2024.
His performance in 2023 earned him All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors. He ranked eighth in the conference in receptions and ninth in receiving yards.
Kirtz’s 14.3 yards per catch was the highest by a Wildcat in a season (with a minimum of 49 catches) since Jeremy Ebert averaged 15.4 yards per catch in 2010.
If transfer quarterback Mike Wright is going to lead Northwestern to better passing numbers in 2024, Kirtz will have to emerge as one of the top pass catchers in the Big Ten in 2024.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!