Inside NU - Northwestern football signing day profiles 2016Roll Damn 'Catshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52532/insidenu_fav.png2016-02-02T11:04:01-06:00http://www.insidenu.com/rss/stream/106053552016-02-02T11:04:01-06:002016-02-02T11:04:01-06:00Signing Day Profiles 2016: OLB/DE Mark Gooden
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<figcaption><a href='https://www.flickr.com/photos/studentsportsphotos/8591125100/in/photolist-e6aLby-bti7D5-5aw9zM-xDfBQj-5ambLm-xR3SoZ-C1m91g-Bydyim-C1kURk-BrQiDR-xx1M3S-nLf8wx-6ab4cn-bG85wc-bGd5sk-bGcmWT-bti9G9-bti6X1-bGd62v-bGd7KM-bGd5g8-bticMd-bGd2qe-bGd7ya-btiaJm-bti6J7-bthvou-bthvg1-bGcZ98-bGd6mV-bGd3FX-bGd1UZ-bGcVVk-bGd4tX-CEtMEh-4Nqbay-4Ns2bs-4NraZW-bGcVFR-bti7gm-bti6hf-bti9W3-bGd77v-bGcnSn-bGd54p-bGcmav-bti5ks-bGd7mr-bGcUrP-bthwk3''>Student Sports on Flickr</a></figcaption>
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<p>Gooden brings pure athleticism to the Wildcats' defense.</p> <h3 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">QUICK HITS</h3>
<p id="paragraph6" class="pgh-paragraph" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 26.6666679382324px; font-size: 16px; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">POSITION:</b> Outside linebacker/defensive end<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">HEIGHT:</b> 6-1<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">WEIGHT:</b> 221<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">HOMETOWN:</b> <span>Reynoldsburg, OH</span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">HIGH SCHOOL:</b> Reynoldsburg<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">247 COMPOSITE RATING:</b> ★★★ (.8345)<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">NATIONAL RANK:</b> 1215<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">POSITION RANK:</b> 81<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">STATE RANK:</b> 57<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">OTHER OFFERS:</b> <span>Air Force, Boston College, Bowling Green, Harvard, Indiana, Iowa, Kent State, Marshall, Miami (OH), Ohio, Purdue, Toledo, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Yale</span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">MORE</b>: <b><a target="_blank" href="http://247sports.com/Player/Mark-Gooden-37298">247 Profile</a></b> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2847626/mark-gooden"><b><span><span>Hudl</span></span></b> </a> | <b><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Next_up_89">Twitter</a></b></p>
<h3 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">BACKGROUND</h3>
<p><span></span><span>Gooden was the 19th commitment for Northwestern's recruiting class, verbally committing in July. He played mostly defensive end in high school, but he’ll likely play outside linebacker at Northwestern. His biggest asset is apparent in his highlight tape: speed. With a </span><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2847626" style="text-decoration: none;">4.72 second</a><span> 40-yard dash time, Gooden possesses the raw burst to hunt down opposing quarterbacks.</span></p>
<p><span>He’s a great athlete, and a 34-inch vertical (which would rank in the top-15 for outside linebackers at last year’s NFL combine) </span><span><span>adds to his skillset. </span>Watching his Hudl tape below, his quick first step and never-give-up mentality when rushing the passer is evident.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/2847626/highlights/199173375" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640"></iframe></p>
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<p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"><span>As you can see, Gooden’s strength is rushing the passer, as his pure speed and ability help him evade offensive lineman. Hand-fighting is an apparent strong suit of his as well. At 1:47, Gooden puts that speed on an impressive display as he chases down the rusher 25 yards down the field to make the tackle. Then, a few seconds later at 2:14, Gooden demonstrates this ability again, even just as a junior, to read a play instantly and make the tackle just a split-second later. His biggest apparent weakness appears to be size, however as he’ll have to put on some muscle to have an impact at the college level.</span></p>
<h3 style="line-height: 1.3499999999999999; margin-top: 18pt; margin-bottom: 18pt;" dir="ltr"></h3>
<h3 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">OUTLOOK</h3>
<p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 11pt; margin-bottom: 11pt;" dir="ltr"><span>Like many signees, Gooden will likely redshirt his freshman year but he’s someone who can make an impact a few years down the road—especially when some of NU's current linebackers graduate. His height and pure speed will pose a threat on the outside, but expect it to be at the linebacker position as his frame simply isn’t enough to push back a Big Ten caliber offensive tackle. Jango Glackin and Paddy Fisher round out the hard commits so far at the linebacker position from this class. </span></p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2016/2/2/10891684/mark-gooden-northwestern-football-recruiting-signing-day-2016Sam Brief2016-02-02T10:06:02-06:002016-02-02T10:06:02-06:00Signing Day Profiles 2016: RB Jeremy Larkin
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<figcaption>Photo: Student Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The highest-rated recruit in the class was a late flip from Cincinnati.</p> <h3>QUICK HITS</h3>
<p><b>POSITION:</b> Running back<br><b>HEIGHT:</b> 5-10<br><b>WEIGHT:</b> 180<br><b>HOMETOWN:</b> Cincinnati, OH<br><b>HIGH SCHOOL:</b> La Salle<br><b>247 COMPOSITE RATING:</b> ★★★ (.8738)<br><b>NATIONAL RANK:</b> 452<br><b>POSITION RANK:</b> 24<br><b>STATE RANK:</b> 18<br><b>OTHER OFFERS:</b> Boston College, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Miami (OH), Ohio, Wake Forest<br><b>MORE:</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://247sports.com/Player/Jeremy-Larkin-35910">247 Profile</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1923959/jeremy-larkin">Hudl</a> | <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DEUCE__8?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Twitter</a></p>
<h3>BACKGROUND</h3>
<p>Larkin was the 20<sup>th</sup> commit of Northwestern's recruiting class, but he is perhaps its biggest get. The 5-10 running back originally committed to Cincinnati back in June, but following a 10-win season for the Wildcats and the Bearcats' mediocre year, Larkin <a target="_blank" href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/12/13/9981386/jeremy-larkin-northwestern-commit-cincinnati-decommit-running-back-recruit">flipped his commitment </a>from his hometown school to Northwestern in mid-December, all <a href="https://twitter.com/DEUCE__8/status/676150200323452932/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">in the same tweet</a>. His senior stats are straight from a video game; Larkin rushed for 1829 yards (10.4 yards per carry) and 28 touchdowns, plus an additional 639 yards and 8 touchdowns receiving. Those numbers <a target="_blank" href="http://usatodayhss.com/2015/2015-all-usa-ohio-football-team">earned Larkin</a> Ohio Division II All-State honors as well as AP Ohio Co-Offensive Player of the Year.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/1923959/highlights/301813408"></iframe></p>
<p>Larkin's highlights should excite any Northwestern fan. He has terrific vision, explosive speed, and the ability to run both East-West and North-South. He reportedly runs a 4.45 40-yard dash and as the tape shows, he's dangerous whenever and wherever he has the ball. La Salle made a point of getting Larkin touches as much as possible: on handoffs, option plays, sweeps, screen passes, out wide, and on returns. He's also the highest-rated commit for the class of 2016, and interestingly enough, his former teammate at La Salle, Jordan Thompson, was Northwestern's highest rated commit in last year's class. Larkin also played basketball in high school, and his father Jeff Larkin, Sr. is cousins with Cincinnati Reds legend and Hall of Famer Barry Larkin.</p>
<h3>OUTLOOK</h3>
<p>Larkin joins a crowded and very talented backfield, with mainstays Justin Jackson and Warren Long returning, as well as Auston Anderson and John Moten IV waiting in the wings. In fact, the 2016 class features a second running back, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.insidenu.com/2016/2/1/10880602/jesse-brown-northwestern-football-recruiting-signing-day-2016">Jesse Brown</a>, who has the same stature as Larkin and reportedly ran the same 40-yard time. Watching Larkin's highlights, it's hard not to draw comparisons to former Northwestern All-American Venric Mark. Both are short, quick running backs that know how to use their size effectively, and it will be exciting to see how Larkin develops.</p>
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<p>In the upcoming season, don't expect to see much of Larkin. He'll be buried on the depth chart to begin the season and with Northwestern's running back depth, he could possibly redshirt. However, Larkin has the potential to be a star in the future. He had over 200 touches on offense his senior season and clearly has the capability of being a three-down running back. Larkin's game is well-rounded, and it's exciting to see what impact he'll have on Northwestern's often enigmatic offense.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2016/2/2/10888216/jeremy-larkin-northwestern-football-recruiting-signing-day-2016Martin Oppegaard2016-02-02T09:04:02-06:002016-02-02T09:04:02-06:00Signing Day Profiles 2016: SS Travis Whillock
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<figcaption><a href='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTKbuCg_-yQ'>Photo: YouTube | MaxPreps</a></figcaption>
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<p>Whillock's ability to tackle and read offenses will add depth to Northwestern's secondary.</p>
<h3><span>QUICK HITS</span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><b>POSITION:</b> <span>Safety<br></span></span><b>HEIGHT:</b> 6-1<br><b>WEIGHT: </b>185<br><b>HOMETOWN: </b>Katy, TX<br><b>HIGH SCHOOL: </b>Katy<br><b>247 COMPOSITE RATING: </b>★★★ (.8220)<br><b>NATIONAL RANK:</b> 1552<br><b>POSITION RANK: </b>100<br><b>STATE RANK: </b>176<br><b>OTHER OFFERS:</b> Boston College, Houston, Kansas, Nevada, Texas State, Tulane, Utah State and Wisconsin.<br><b>MORE:</b> <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://247sports.com/Player/Travis-Whillock-80033" target="_blank">247 Profile</a> | <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2551777/travis-whillock" target="_blank">Hudl</a> | <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://twitter.com/traviswhillock" target="_blank">Twitter</a></p>
<h3>BACKGROUND</h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span>Travis Whillock is a proven winner who will add significant depth to Northwestern’s already solid defense. The safety </span><a href="http://usatodayhss.com/2015/no-6-katy-dominates-to-equal-texas-record-with-eighth-state-title" target="_blank">won the Texas 6A Division II State Championship</a><span> in 2015 in his senior season with Katy. Just two days after Katy's 34-7 championship win over Lake Travis, MaxPreps </span><a href="http://www.maxpreps.com/news/Ma5qHhjF40KSRBoPSWLwAg/maxpreps-final-top-25-high-school-football-rankings.htm" target="_blank">named the Tigers the National Champions</a><span>. They went 16-0 behind a defense that recorded 10 shutouts and forced 26 turnovers.<span> </span>Whillock was the top interceptor for the team, who, on average, allowed only 3.875 points per game.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/2551777/highlights/293204385" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><span>Whillock, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound safety, possesses more than just athleticism. He played with discipline on the defensive side of the ball, something that Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald has to like. His ability to read offenses and quarterbacks was one of the reasons Katy had the best defense in the country. Another reason was his teammate and future Wildcat Paddy Fisher. Whillock announced his commitment to Northwestern less than an hour after Fisher, Katy’s leading tackler, did.</span></p>
<h3>OUTLOOK</h3>
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<p style="mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;" class="MsoNormal"><span>Whillock's ability to play strong or free safety and his tackling capabilities will make him an asset to Northwestern’s defense. With starter Godwin Igwebuike returning for his junior season, Kyle Queiro likely stepping in alongside him in place of Traveon Henry, and Jared McGee, Jacob Murray, Steven Reese and Trae Williams all returning, Whillock will almost surely redshirt. </span></p>
<p style="mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;" class="MsoNormal"><span>He'll then likely find himself in a battle for a backup role as a redshirt freshman, and should be a solid special teams contributor as an underclassman. Once Queiro and Igwebuike graduate though, there will be a lot of question marks at safety. Whillock seems like a decent candidate to step up and claim one of the starting spots as either a redshirt sophomore or junior.</span></p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2016/2/2/10883160/travis-whillock-northwestern-football-recruiting-signing-day-2016Lyndsey Armacost2016-02-02T08:08:02-06:002016-02-02T08:08:02-06:00Signing Day Profiles 2016: LB Paddy Fisher
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<figcaption><a href='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_gYuO51APs'>Texan Live — YouTube</a></figcaption>
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<p>The Texas linebacker spurned in-state Baylor as well as Wisconsin in favor of Northwestern.</p> <h3 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">QUICK HITS<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">
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<p id="paragraph6" class="pgh-paragraph" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 26.6666679382324px; font-size: 16px; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">POSITION:</b> Linebacker/defensive end<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">HEIGHT:</b> 6-2<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">WEIGHT:</b> 225<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">HOMETOWN:</b> Katy, TX<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">HIGH SCHOOL:</b> Katy<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">247 COMPOSITE RATING:</b> ★★★ (.8398)<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">NATIONAL RANK:</b> 1105<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">POSITION RANK:</b> 46<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">STATE RANK:</b> 131<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">OTHER OFFERS: </b><span>Baylor, Boston College, Colorado State, Fresno State, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Louisiana Tech, Maryland, UCF, Wisconsin</span> <br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">MORE</b>: <b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/admin/entries/new?community_id=246&entry_type=Article"><b>247 Profile</b></a></b> | <b><span><span><a target="_blank" href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2930064/paddy-fisher"><b><span><span>Hudl</span></span></b></a></span></span></b> | <b><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/fisherpaddy">Twitter</a></b></p>
<h3 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">BACKGROUND</h3>
<p>Fisher was a bit of a surprise commit for Northwestern as the Texas native was <a href="http://247sports.com/PlayerInstitution/Paddy-Fisher-at-Katy-129627/CurrentExpertPredictions" target="_blank">expected by many to head to Baylor</a> but instead turned down the in-state Bears in favor of the Wildcats.</p>
<p>He's a little undersized—expect him to bulk up significantly over summer workouts—but Fisher makes up for that with his instincts, especially in the running game. As the highlight video from his junior season attests (below), he seems to have a knack to plug open lanes, even against speedier running backs and quarterbacks.</p>
<p><iframe width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/2930064/highlights/178543376"></iframe></p>
<p>In fact, his relatively light, 225-pound frame allows Fisher to be a fairly mobile linebacker (or defensive end) which is useful against spread-type offenses. It also helps him a lot in the open field, where he can keep up with runners who have a lot of real estate ahead of them. Such a versatile skillset is going to fit right in with Northwestern's athletic defense.</p>
<h3 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">OUTLOOK</h3>
<p>Fisher's 247 page lists him as both an inside linebacker and strong-side defensive end, which are both positions he could realistically play in the Wildcats' 4-3 defensive front. His speed off the edge as a defensive end could be useful for a team losing both its starters at that position—Dean Lowry and Deonte Gibson—but he could also be used at linebacker in a similar role to that of Joe Jones.</p>
<p>Jones is also a little undersized, like Fisher, and saw playing time this past season to give the graduating Drew Smith a breather. So, it's possible that as Jones moves up in the depth chart, that Fisher could contend to fill his vacated backup slot.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2016/2/2/10830104/paddy-fisher-northwestern-football-recruiting-signing-day-2016Josh Burton2016-02-01T14:29:22-06:002016-02-01T14:29:22-06:00Signing Day Profiles: WR Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman
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<figcaption><a href='https://www.flickr.com/photos/studentsportsphotos/13854845465/in/photolist-n7mJnf-n7iGRX''>Photo: Student Sports</a></figcaption>
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<p>Chiaokhiao-Bowman brings some much needed energy to a depleted Northwestern receiving corps.</p> <h3 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">QUICK HITS</h3>
<p><b>POSITION:</b> Wide Receiver <br> <b>HEIGHT:</b> 6-2<br> <b>WEIGHT:</b> 191<br> <b>HOMETOWN:</b> Minneapolis, Minnesota<br> <b>HIGH SCHOOL:</b> Breck School <br> <b>247 COMPOSITE RATING:</b> ★★★ (.8444)<br> <b>NATIONAL RANK:</b> 981<br> <b>POSITION RANK:</b> 142<br> <b>STATE RANK:</b> 10<br> <b>OTHER OFFERS:</b> Ball State, Bryant, Cornell, Harvard, Lafayette, Minnesota, Nevada, North Dakota, Northern Iowa, Princeton, Southern Illinois, Wyoming, Yale<br> <b>MORE</b>: <b><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Ramaud-Chiaokhiao-Bowman-81221">247 Profile </a></b>| <b><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3450407/ramaud-chiaokhiao-bowman">Hudl </a></b>| <b><a href="https://twitter.com/ocmaudib">Twitter</a></b></p>
<h3 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">BACKGROUND</h3>
<p>Chiaokhiao-Bowman is one of Northwestern's two much-needed wide receiver commits for the class of 2016. The Minneapolis native was heavily recruited by Minnesota, but after receiving an offer from Northwestern, he jumped at the opportunity to come to Evanston. A week after the offer was sent he had committed to play for the Wildcats, making him the 16th commit of the class.</p>
<p>He attended high school at Breck School in Golden Valley, Minnesota, a western suburb of Minneapolis. In 2015, <a href="http://www.brecksports.org/schedule/team_instance/1377707?subseason=230389">Breck went 3-7 on the season</a>, but Chiaokhiao-Bowman racked up <a href="http://www.mnfootballhub.com/roster_players/9111465">45 receptions for 721 yards and 6 touchdowns</a>. He also returned a punt for a touchdown and averaged 28.8 yards per return on kickoffs. Here are his senior year highlights:</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/3450407/highlights/301762375" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p>Chiaokhiao-Bowman is a three-sport athlete. Not only did he play wide receiver for the football team, but he played basketball and rans track as well. While fellow commits Roderick Campbell and Jeremy Larkin played basketball as well, track is something unique to Chiaokhiao-Bowman. It further proves the speed that can be seen in his highlights which combined with his size and solid route-running make Chiaokhiao-Bowman an intriguing player for the upcoming season.</p>
<h3 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">OUTLOOK</h3>
<p>Chiaokhiao-Bowman has an chance to contribute right away due to both his talent and the current state of Northwestern's receiving corps. Whether or not he gets play on the outside, Chiaokhiao-Bowman should be able to contribute on special teams. With longtime return man Miles Shuler graduating, he might even get a shot to return some punts, but Solomon Vault is solidly entrenched as the kickoff returner.</p>
<p>As for the state of Northwestern's wide receivers, the group struggled in 2015, and now with Shuler, Christian Jones and Cameron Dickerson all graduating, the cupboard continues to look barer than ever. Rising senior Austin Carr will contribute, but there's not really anyone else who's a known commodity at this point. Flynn Nagel appeared to be coming on before an injury this year and Jelani Roberts should get an expanded role, but the opportunity is there for Chiaokhiao-Bowman to contribute in his freshman campaign.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2016/2/1/10883324/ramaud-chiaokhiao-bowman-northwestern-football-recruiting-signing-day-2016Ian McCafferty2016-02-01T12:06:02-06:002016-02-01T12:06:02-06:00Signing Day Profiles 2016: DL Jake Saunders
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<figcaption><a href='http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1516955/jake-saunders''>Photo: Hudl</a></figcaption>
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<p>The Ohio product is one of three Class of 2016 defensive linemen</p> <h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 32px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">QUICK HITS</h3>
<p><b>POSITION:</b> Defensive tackle<br><b>HEIGHT:</b> 6-3<br><b>WEIGHT: </b>285<br><b>HOMETOWN:</b> Loveland, Ohio<br><b>HIGH SCHOOL:</b> Loveland High School<br><b>247 COMPOSITE RATING:</b> ★★★ (.8467)<br><b>NATIONAL RANK:</b> 923<br><b>POSITION RANK:</b> 56<br><b>STATE RANK:</b> 39<br><b>OTHER OFFERS:</b> Boston College, Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Miami (OH), Oregon St., Pittsburgh, Purdue, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Wisconsin<br><b>MORE: </b><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Jake-Saunders-69296" target="_blank">247 Profile</a> | <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1516955/jake-saunders" target="_blank">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/MADDAWG_J" target="_blank">Twitter</a> (worth the click)</p>
<h3>BACKGROUND</h3>
<p>Saunders <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2015/6/17/8796449/jake-saunders-commits-northwestern-defensive-tackle-scouting-report" target="_blank">committed to the Wildcats</a> back in June, choosing Northwestern over a long list of other offers and becoming the 13th member of the class of 2016. Over the past season, Saunders garnered first team All-District and <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincinnati.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fhigh-school%2Fohio-high-school%2F2015%2F11%2F30%2Fap-ohio-football-team%2F76588344%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidenu.com%2F2016%2F2%2F1%2F10874388%2Fjake-saunders-northwestern-football-recruiting-signing-day-2016" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">special mention All-State</a> honors while being named an Ohio Division II football "Fall All Star" by <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincinnati.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fhigh-school%2Ffootball%2Fohio%2520prep%2520football%2F2016%2F01%2F23%2Ffall-all-stars-2015---ohio-football%2F79230414%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidenu.com%2F2016%2F2%2F1%2F10874388%2Fjake-saunders-northwestern-football-recruiting-signing-day-2016" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">Cincinnati.com</a>. For reference, fellow class of 2016 member Jeremy Larkin was named Player of the Year in the same division.</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/1516955/highlights/209958376" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>Make no mistake about it: Saunders is one big guy, especially at the high school level. But he also shows good burst off the ball, the ability to play well in space and good closing speed — watch him track down the quarterback at around the 2:20 mark of the video. Saunders is an overpowering player at the high school level, but his speed allowed Loveland to play him at linebacker too, where he shows the ability to diagnose the play and play downhill. Additionally, these are just his junior year highlights (his senior year hasn't been uploaded), so he has developed since this video.</p>
<h3>Outlook</h3>
<p>Northwestern has very good depth on the defensive line despite losing starting ends Dean Lowry and Deonte Gibson. Lots of that depth is relatively young, too: next year's group will feature returning nine underclassmen. In the middle, Tyler Lancaster, Jordan Thompson and Greg Kuhar will likely see most of the snaps in the middle in 2016, and into the long-term future, guys like Ben Oxley, Trent Goens, Joe Gaziano, Fred Wyatt and Thompson all plan to be important pieces along the line. That's not to say Saunders won't ever see the field, but he might have to wait a couple of years to join the rotation. Nevertheless, he's a good prospect, and with proper coaching and time spent in the weight room bulking up to closer to 300 pounds, he could become a starter down the road.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2016/2/1/10874388/jake-saunders-northwestern-football-recruiting-signing-day-2016Zach Pereles2016-02-01T10:33:01-06:002016-02-01T10:33:01-06:00Signing Day Profiles 2016: TE Eric Eshoo
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<figcaption><a href='http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2459357/highlights/226730375/v3''>Photo: Hudl</a></figcaption>
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<p>Eshoo will probably be the next Northwestern player to transition to the superback position.</p> <h3 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">QUICK HITS<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">
</h3>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 26.6666679382324px; font-size: 16px; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;" class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph6"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">POSITION:</b> Tight end<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">HEIGHT:</b> 6-5<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">WEIGHT:</b> 225<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">HOMETOWN:</b> Wilmette, IL<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">HIGH SCHOOL:</b> Loyola Academy<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">247 COMPOSITE RATING:</b> ★★★ (.8450)<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">NATIONAL RANK:</b> 966<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">POSITION RANK:</b> 49<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">STATE RANK:</b> 28<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">OTHER OFFERS:</b> Ball State, Bowling Green, Cornell, Harvard, Illinois, Nevada, North Dakota State, South Dakota, Southern Illinois, Wyoming<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">MORE</b>: <b><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Eric-Eshoo-84257" target="_blank"><b>247 Profile</b></a></b> | <b><span><span><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2459357/eric-eshoo" target="_blank"><b><span><span>Hudl</span></span></b></a></span></span></b> | <b><a href="https://twitter.com/ericeshoo" target="_blank"><b>Twitter</b></a></b></p>
<h3 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">BACKGROUND</h3>
<p><span>Eshoo was the 14th commit for Pat Fitzgerald in the Class of 2016 and officially committed on June 23 during an unofficial visit to Evanston. This came just three days after Eshoo visited the University of Illinois. In an interview with Jake Bartelson of <a href="http://www.chicagofootball.com/2015/06/29/high-school-football-recruit-qa-northwestern-commit-eric-eshoo-loyola-academy/amu7zk/" target="_blank">ChicagoFootball.com</a>, Eshoo said: "</span><span>I knew Northwestern was a great school, but to be able to match their academics with a Big Ten football career, it’s unbeatable." He added that Pat Fitzgerald preached about family and seemed sincere and genuine during their conversation.</span></p>
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<p style="mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;" class="MsoNormal"><span>He led the Loyola Academy Ramblers to an Illinois Class 8A State Championship in his senior season and played both tight end and wide receiver during his two seasons on the varsity squad. He previously played tackle for the Loyola Academy sophomore team but told Bartelson he'd be willing to play anywhere for Northwestern: "</span><span>When I get there, wherever they put me, I’ll be happy to play. I don’t care if I end up on defense, actually. Either way, playing at Northwestern is an honor."</span><span></span></p>
<p><iframe width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/2459357/highlights/226730375"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
<h3 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">OUTLOOK</h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span>Eshoo, in all likelihood, will be transitioning to the superback position for the Wildcats. His role in the Ramblers’ offense was extremely similar to what Fitzgerald and superbacks coach Bob Heffner will expect him to fill in Evanston as his versatility, size, and athleticism make him a great fit for the Wildcats' scheme. With three returning superbacks in Garrett Dickerson, Jamye Taylor, and Eric Lutzen, though, Eshoo might redshirt his freshman season. </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span>With three incoming freshmen expected to play wide receiver for the Wildcats but no other superbacks, Eshoo won’t have much competition in his own class at the position. But, he did play some wide receiver in high school, so it's possible he gets some snaps there considering the Wildcats' relative dearth at the position.</span></p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2016/2/1/10881988/eric-eshoo-northwestern-football-recruiting-signing-day-2016Lyndsey Armacost2016-02-01T09:03:01-06:002016-02-01T09:03:01-06:00Signing Day Profiles 2016: RB Jesse Brown
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<figcaption><a href='https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=94370494%40N07&view_all=1&text='>Photo: Students Sports</a></figcaption>
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<p>The quick running back from Georgia chose Northwestern over Iowa and adds to the Wildcats' stable of young rushers.</p> <h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 32px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">QUICK HITS</h3>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph0" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">POSITION:</b> Running back<br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">HEIGHT: </b><span>5-10</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">WEIGHT:</b> 185<br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">HOMETOWN:</b> Lilburn, Georgia<br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">HIGH SCHOOL:</b> Brookwood<br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">247 COMPOSITE RATING:</b> ★★★ (.8352)<br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">NATIONAL RANK:</b> 1201<br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">POSITION RANK: </b><span>28</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">STATE RANK:</b> 110<br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">OTHER OFFERS: </b><span>Air Force, Army, Boston College, Furman, Georgia State, Harvard, Iowa, Kansas State, Mercer, N.C. State, Navy, Yale</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">MORE:</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://247sports.com/Player/Jesse-Brown-42190">247 Profile</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1580028/jesse-brown">Hudl</a> | <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/jbwood36">Twitter</a></p>
<h3 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">BACKGROUND</h3>
<p>Jesse Brown is a three-star running back from Georgia who was the 15th commit in the Class of 2016 and is one of two running backs in the class. He received offers from Iowa, Harvard and Yale, but chose to go to Northwestern.</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/1580028/highlights/231444376" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p>Brown has good speed and runs a 4.45 40-yard dash, according to Hudl. His track times are also fairly impressive, as he has an 11.4-second 100-meter time listed on <a target="_blank" href="http://ga.milesplit.com/athletes/insider/3182823-jesse-brown/stats#.Vq-CGhjjJox">MileSplit.com</a>. Brown is also a competent blocker and is projected to be an all-purpose back who can catch passes, block and run downfield with ease. He's not overpowering, by any means, but his speed makes him useful for any team. For what it's worth, Brown also <a target="_blank" href="http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/archive/jesse-brown-the-steady-force-in-the-brookwood-football-offense/article_1db5f7e9-6c40-55f3-a8b7-716a325e69ee.html">had a 4.0 GPA in high school</a>, according to the <i>Gwinnett Daily Post</i>.</p>
<h3 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">OUTLOOK</h3>
<p>The one offensive position with real depth for Northwestern is running back, as Justin Jackson, Warren Long, Solomon Vault and Auston Anderson are all returning next season. While Vault will probably transition to receiver, Northwestern will also welcome its highest-rated recruit, Jeremy Larkin, into the fold. Brown's speed, height and north/south running style are reminiscent of Justin Jackson, and he will offer Northwestern some depth next year. However, he is definitely is projected to be, at least, the fourth-string running back heading into 2016.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2016/2/1/10880602/jesse-brown-northwestern-football-recruiting-signing-day-2016Tristan Jung