Counting down Northwestern’s roster: 39-30

We’ve gone through Northwestern’s most important players, positional previews, and opponent breakdowns. Now, as the season creeps closer, we’re counting down the roster, 99 to 1. We’ll provide biographical information, stats, and an outlook for each player’s role headed into 2018.

Today we bring you from No. 39 to No. 30, which includes the linebackers and special teams.

39 Marcus Cisco

RB | 5-foot-9, 185 pounds | Freshman | Byron Center, Mich.

Likely role in 2019: Redshirt

With John Moten IV and Isaiah Bowser, the running back unit is fairly set. It is unlikely Cisco will see any real playing time, especially if the returners are able to avoid injuries this season.

Career Stats: None

38 Drew Luckenbaugh

K/P | 6-foot-1, 188 pounds | Junior | Spring Grove, Pa.

Likely role in 2019: Reserve K/P

Despite seeing some action toward the end of last season, Luckenbaugh will likely be behind placekicker Charlie Kuhbander. With the recent announcement of graduate transfer punter Andrew David, the special teams unit is not as worrying as it once was, but it pushes Luckenbaugh out of contention.

Career stats: 3 field goals/6 extra points

37 Cody Gronewold

P | 6-foot-1, 183 pounds | Sophomore | Lincoln, Neb.

Likely role in 2019: Reserve Punter

For a while, Groneworld was looking like a possible replacement for Jake Collin’s replacement, but that pretty much went down the drain after David was thrown into the mix.

Career stats: None

36 Jesse Brown

RB | 5-foot-11, 210 pounds | Junior | Lilburn, Ga.

Likely role in 2019: Competing for time at running back

Again, it is pretty clear who will be leading the running backs this year. Bowser and Moten IV will undoubtedly lead the group, but it is possible that Brown could put up a fight for playing time. He didn’t see any action during his sophomore season, but as a redshirt freshman he played in all 13 games as a special teams contributor and backup running back.

Career stats: 64 yards/2 touchdowns/4 tackles

35 Erik Mueller

LB | 6-foot-2, 230 pounds | Junior | Wheaton, Ill.

Likely role in 2019: Reserve linebacker

The Wildcats’ linebackers were arguably one of the strongest groups this past season, and despite the loss of Nate Hall, they should be just as strong this year. Fisher, Gallagher and Bergin will definitely take the starting positions, but there are a number of solid players that could step in behind them, and Mueller could be one of them.

Career stats: 6 tackles

34 Andrew David

P | 5-foot-8, 185 pounds | Grad | Massillon, Ohio

Likely role in 2019: Starting punter

David, who joins the Wildcats this year as a graduate transfer from TCU, is almost certain to take the starting punter position this season. He follows in the footsteps of Jake Collins, who came to Northwestern as a graduate transfer for the 2018 season.

Career stats: None here!

33 Michael Jansey Jr

LB | 6-foot-2, 215 pounds | Freshman | Batavia, Ill.

Likely role in 2019: Redshirt

The early enrollee will have a tough time logging any real playing time this season given the strength of the linebacker unit. As he gains experience, he will definitely be a player to look out for, but for now, he will likely elect to redshirt.

Career stats: None

32 Bryce Gallagher

LB | 6-foot-2, 220 pounds | Freshman | Raynham, Mass.

Likely role in 2019: Redshirt

The first member of his recruiting class, Gallagher follows in the footsteps of his older brother Blake (You might have heard of him? Starting linebacker who led the Big Ten in total tackles this past season?). Let’s hope this talent runs in the family, but Gallagher will probably not see a ton of playing time this year.

Career stats: None

31 Jaylen Rivers

LB | 6-foot-2, 225 pounds | Redshirt freshman | Decatur, Ga.

Likely role in 2019: Competing for time at linebacker

Rivers played in two games as a true freshman before redshirting. He is one of the younger players that will compete for playing time at the third linebacking position. Though Bergin is expected to fill the hole Hall left behind, Rivers is definitely an option.

Career stats: 1 tackle