Which Northwestern players have the most to prove in 2024?

Last season, under first-year head coach David Braun, Northwestern showed its ability to compete with the most formidable teams in the Big Ten, finishing with an 8-5 record. The Wildcats’ impressive season culminated in a 14-7 victory over Utah in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl. However, despite Northwestern’s success last season, several players on Braun’s roster have yet to prove themselves under the 2023 Big Ten Coach of the Year. With that said, here are three players with the most to prove on the gridiron this coming fall.

Ryan Hilinski, QB

During his freshman season in 2019 at South Carolina, Hilinski appeared to be blossoming into a long-term starter. He earned the starting job just two weeks into the season and led the Gamecocks to a stunning 20-17 double overtime road victory over (at the time) #3 Georgia, bringing his record as a starter to 3-2.

However, after his storybook triumph over the Bulldogs, Hilinski struggled to find his footing for the rest of the season, going 1-5 in the final stretch. He consequently lost South Carolina’s starting quarterback position in 2020 to Colorado State transfer Collin Hill, and after spending the entire COVID-riddled season on the sidelines, the former four-star recruit transferred to Northwestern in 2021.

Throughout the 2021 and 2022 campaigns, Hilinski showed glimpses of potential, including a 435-yard passing performance with two touchdown passes in a 31-23 loss against Duke. Yet, the South Carolina transfer’s inconsistency prevented him from maintaining the starting job for an extended period under former head coach Pat Fitzgerald.

In 2023, Hilinski was completely out of the mix as Braun had him stashed behind Ben Bryant and Brendan Sullivan as Northwestern’s third-string quarterback.

Now, as the former four-star recruit enters his likely final collegiate season, he has one last chance to revive his underwhelming career. Despite Sullivan transferring to Iowa and Bryant pursuing a pro career, Hilinski still faces an uphill battle for the starting quarterback position against Mississippi State and Vanderbilt graduate transfer Mike Wright. If Hilinski isn’t able to impress Braun and his staff to earn playing time this year, the signal-caller risks leaving Evanston with unfulfilled potential.

Najee Story, DL

Story enters the summer as one of Northwestern’s projected starters on the defensive line, but the Cats will need the Solon, Ohio native to make a substantial jump in production after a subpar 2023 campaign. Last season, the defensive lineman recorded 20 tackles and one pass deflection but was unable to record a sack.

The defensive lineman was once a highly sought-after recruit in high school, receiving offers from Michigan, Alabama, Penn State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Tennessee. He chose to play under Fitzgerald, bringing great expectations to a Northwestern program which doesn’t often get the opportunity to snag such highly-touted recruits. However, he has yet to live up to what Northwestern fans hoped for when he first arrived in Evanston.

Now, as he enters his second year under Braun’s 4-3 system, this will be a make-or-break season for Story as he looks to increase his efficiency on Northwestern’s defensive line. Story’s success factor will be defined mainly by his ability to stay on the field by earning the trust of Braun, and becoming a disruptor, something NU lacked for much of last season.

A.J. Henning, WR

In his first year donning purple and white, Henning produced a solid season as the Michigan transfer hauled in 45 receptions for 418 yards and four touchdowns. However, in his second season with the ‘Cats, Henning will need to take an even bigger leap forward.

The ‘Cats will be without former wide receiver Cam Johnson (now with the Dallas Cowboys), who was Northwestern’s leading receiver last year with 715 yards and six touchdowns.

Alongside wide receiver Bryce Kirtz, Henning will be one of the top targets on the team, bringing a unique type of versatility to the ’Cats offense. The former four-star recruit’s speed and elusiveness make him a valuable asset not only in the passing game but also in Northwestern’s rushing attack, as the Michigan transfer also accumulated 110 yards on the ground last year. First-year offensive coordinator Zach Lujan can utilize Henning’s skill set in his scheme in multiple ways, as the Michigan transfer can line up at just about any skill position.

It will be vital for Northwestern that Henning takes the next step forward in his game and become a leader for its offense. He has flashed his potential throughout his career, but if the fifth year is able to piece it all together, he has the talent to become one of the premier deep threats in the Big Ten.