Even though Northwestern’s opener against Ohio is 71 days away, the Wildcats already learned they will be without two starters this season.

Senior cornerback Jeff Backes elected to forgo a fifth year due to a lingering shoulder injury, while junior center Trevor Rees was suspended for the season for academic reasons.

Backes participated in NU’s spring practices, but had his contact limited most of the spring season because of a shoulder injury.

“Right now, in the offseason, part of it is just getting back healthy,” said Backes during the spring. “If you can prevent injuries, you’re going to do whatever you can to do that.”

He also said he didn’t play in the spring scrimmage as a precautionary measure to avoid further injury so he would be ready for the upcoming season.

Backes leaves NU as the Cats’ career leader in kickoff return average, gaining 26.5 yards a return. He had 99 tackles in 39 games after being recruited to NU as a running back and Ohio’s Mr. Football.�

“This was a difficult decision for Jeff, and after consulting with many doctors, none could guarantee that he would be healthy and ready to go in August,” said NU coach Randy Walker in a press release. “He’s a tremendous individual who has a bright career in medicine in front of him.”

Backes will begin classes at NU’s Feinberg School of Medicine later this summer.

Junior center Trevor Rees was suspended for the upcoming season because of academics, according to the press release.

Rees was supposed to anchor an offensive line that lost three starters from last year’s squad.

Sophomore Adam Crum was listed at second-string center before spring practice began and should be the frontrunner to replace Rees, while either junior Cory Dious or sophomore Deante Battle will likely replace Backes at cornerback.

Reach Abe Rakov at [email protected].