2015 Northwestern football preview
Preseason predictions:
2015 Football Preview: Our staff makes its season predictions
Position group previews:
Meet Clayton Thorson, Northwestern’s new quarterback
Northwestern running backs look to maximize potential
Loaded secondary teems with veteran talent
Mature receiving corps holds potential
Linebackers’ success hinges on Anthony Walker
Offensive line seeks new footing
Defensive line anchors defense with depth
Special teams have much room to improve
Preseason news:
Football: Wildcats name Clayton Thorson starting quarterback against Stanford
Justin Jackson’s encore act and other Northwestern notes
Senior defensive tackle Sean McEvilly announces retirement due to injuries
Senior Dan Vitale riding ‘superback’ label toward the NFL
Northwestern focuses on quarterbacks ahead of season
Daily file photo by Nathan Richards
Projected Depth chart:
| Starter | Backup | |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | Clayton Thorson (R-Fr) | Matt Alviti (So) |
| Running Back | Justin Jackson (So) | Auston Anderson (R-Fr) OR Warren Long (Jr) |
| X Wide Receiver | Cameron Dickerson (Sr) | Pierre Youngblood-Ary (Sr) |
| Z Wide Receiver | Miles Shuler (Sr) | Austin Carr (Jr) |
| Y Wide Receiver | Christian Jones (Sr) | Mike McHugh (Jr) |
| Superback/Tight End | Dan Vitale (Sr) | Garrett Dickerson (So) OR Jayme Taylor (So) |
| Left Tackle | Shane Mertz (Sr) | Blake Hance (R-Fr) |
| Left Guard | Geoff Mogus (Sr) | Kenton Playko (Jr) |
| Center | Brad North (So) | Ian Park (Jr) |
| Right Guard | Matt Frazier (Sr) | Adam DePietro (Jr) |
| Right Tackle | Eric Olson (Jr) | Tommy Doles (R-Fr) |
| Right Defensive End | Dean Lowry (Sr) | Xavier Washington (So) |
| Defensive Tackle | Greg Kuhar (Jr) | Max Chapman (Sr) |
| Defensive Tackle | C.J. Robbins (Sr) | Tyler Lancaster (So) |
| Left Defensive End | Deonte Gibson (Sr) | Ifeadi Odenigbo (Jr) |
| SAM Linebacker | Drew Smith (Sr) | Brett Walsh (So) |
| MIKE Linebacker | Anothony Walker (So) | Nate Hall (R-Fr) |
| WILL Linebacker | Jaylen Prater (Jr) | Joseph Jones (Jr) |
| Cornerback | Nick VanHoose (Sr) | Parrker Westphal (R-Fr) |
| Safety | Godwin Igwebuike (So) | Kyle Queiro (So) |
| Safety | Traveon Henry (Sr) | Kyle Queiro (So) |
| Cornerback | Matthew Harris (Jr) | Marcus McShepard (So) |
| Kicker | Jack Mitchell (Jr) | Mason Weissenhofer (Fr) |
| Punter | Hunter Niswander (So) | Matt Micucci (Jr) |
| Kick Returner | Solomon Vault (So) | |
| Punt Returner | Miles Shuler (Sr) | |
| Long Snapper | Chris Fitzpatrick (Jr) |
