The 2018 Northwestern Wildcats are just 16 days away from their season opener at Purdue. So that means they are stepping up the intensity in training camp, they’re getting into the fully padded practices, they’re getting deeper into their playbook, and we’re getting a clearer picture of the depth chart. Most of this year’s starters were already set in stone, but others needed to be decided in camp due to departures from last season. But as the lineups begin to unfold, head coach Pat Fitzgerald gets a better idea of who will lead his team this season.
So here are the five most important players for the 2018 Northwestern Wildcats…..
Senior quarterback Clayton Thorson-
Heading into his final season in Evanston, Thorson is the Wildcats potential Heisman Trophy candidate this year. He’s proven himself in big games, he’s not afraid of the spotlight, national television doesn’t phase him, and statistically he’s one of the best signal callers in program history (7,548 career passing yards, 518 career rushing yards, 62 total touchdowns). The only concern is for his health after having reconstructive knee surgery after tearing his ACL in last season’s Music City Bowl. If he’s 100-percent and doesn’t skip a beat then the Cats’ have a fighting chance. Any success that Northwestern has this year will start and end with Thorson.
Sophomore running back Jeremy Larkin-
Based on his performance in training camp, the Ohio native appears to be the leading candidate to be the starter and replace Justin Jackson. He was Northwestern’s second leading rusher last year (503 yards, 5 touchdowns), and he tacked on 115 receiving yards with 89 kick return yards for good measure. Considering the pace at which NU runs it’s up-tempo spread offense, Larkin’s multiple skills will be an excellent compliment for Thorson and take the pressure off of his injured knee. While he may never touch any of Jackson’s school records, Larkin can still become one of the best backs in the country if he gets enough touches.
Senior wide receiver Solomon Vault-
After being limited by injuries over the last couple of seasons (missed all of last season), Vault is eager to contribute and show that he is capable of being the number one receiver that everyone had hoped that he could have been last year. He only has 31 career catches in a Wildcat uniform (with 290 receiving yards and two touchdown catches), and he’s looking to double that in 2018.
Sophomore linebacker Paddy Fisher-
He worked his way into the starting lineup as a freshman last year and had quite a season. Fisher would go on to lead the Wildcats in tackles (111), was second in tackles for loss (9), he also pitched in an interception, three pass deflections, and four forced fumbles. This year he’ll be asked to take on more of a leadership role as the Northwestern defense will be slightly younger as many of last year’s stars are now in the NFL. But Fisher can take on that responsibility as he’s proven that he can shine in the big games.
Senior cornerback Montre Hartage-
Over the previous two seasons, this Georgia native has established himself as a playmaker in Northwestern’s secondary. Now he has the chance to lead this unit thanks to last year’s departures. He has 121 total career tackles, 7 career interceptions, a tackle for loss, 15 career pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery (both of which came in 2017). If can have another outstanding season this year, he could follow in the footsteps of Kyle Queiro and Godwin Igwebuike as the next Wildcats defensive back NFL prospect.
It’ll be fun to watch these players take the field in 16 days.
