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Here is Northwestern's official depth chart for its season opener against Stanford. Notes below:
| Starter/1st String | Backup/2nd String | |
| Quarterback | Clayton Thorson | Zack Oliver OR Matt Alviti |
| Running Back | Justin Jackson | Warren Long |
| Z-Receiver | Cameron Dickerson | Macan Wilson |
| Y-Receiver | Christian Jones | Stephen Buckley |
| X-Receiver | Miles Shuler | Austin Carr |
| Superback | Dan Vitale | Garrett Dickerson |
| Left Tackle | Geoff Mogus | Adam DePietro |
| Left Guard | Ian Park | Connor Mahoney |
| Center | Brad North | J.B. Butler |
| Right Guard | Shane Mertz | Sam Coverdale |
| Right Tackle | Eric Olson | Blake Hance |
| Starter/1st String | Backup/2nd String | |
| Defensive End | Dean Lowry | Xavier Washington |
| Defensive Tackle | C.J. Robbins | Max Chapman |
| Defensive Tackle | Tyler Lancaster | Ben Oxley OR Jordan Thompson |
| Defensive End | Deonte Gibson | Ifeadi Odenigbo |
| SAM Linebacker | Drew Smith | Joseph Jones |
| MIKE Linebacker | Anthony Walker | Cameron Queiro |
| WILL Linebacker | Jaylen Prater | Nate Hall |
| Cornerback | Matt Harris | Marcus McShepard |
| Safety | Traveon Henry | Kyle Queiro |
| Safety | Godwin Igwebuike | Jared McGee |
| Cornerback | Nick VanHoose | Keith Watkins |
| Starter/1st String | Backup/2nd String | |
| Kicker | Jack Mitchell | Arthur Omilian |
| Punter | Hunter Niswander | Matt Micucci |
- Auston Anderson and Solomon Vault are not listed, but that's probably just a case of only being able to list two guys. Both should still see the field.
- Fitzgerald confirmed Mike McHugh is healthy, despite not appearing on the two-deep. It's also notable that none of the true freshmen wide receivers are listed. However, when asked about true freshmen, Fitzgerald refused to say which ones might see the field, so this could just be a case of trying to be secretive.
Previewing Stanford
Previewing Stanford
- The starting offensive line is as predicted, but there are some shake ups behind them. Redshirt freshman Tommy Doles is not listed; instead, Adam DePietro is listed as the backup left tackle. Also, although J.B. Butler is listed at second-string center, Ian Park would likely move over from guard if something were to happen to Brad North.
- Defensive tackle Greg Kuhar is not listed. Kuhar has been recovering from a torn ACL suffered against Notre Dame last season, and Fitzgerald called him "doubtful" for Saturday.
- Tyler Lancaster is listed as a starter at defensive tackle in Kuhar's stead. Lancaster was a highly-rated recruit, and after battling injuries the past two years, was apparently impressive in camp.
- There is only one true freshman listed, defensive tackle Jordan Thompson
- Although it appeared to us that true freshman Joe Gaziano was starting ahead of Xavier Washington during the Kenosha scrimmage, Washington is listed as the backup at defensive end.
- Parrker Westphal is not listed, but that is likely just another case of not enough space. He is probably the fifth cornerback on the roster right now, behind McShepard and Watkins.