Northwestern extended an offer to four-star 2028 tight end Gregory Kirwan, a 6-foot-5, 235-pound prospect from Lipscomb Academy who has already built an impressive recruiting profile.
Northwestern continues to make an effort to target highly regarded prospects early in the recruiting process, extending an offer to four-star 2028 tight end Gregory Kirwan out of Lipscomb Academy in Tennessee.
Kirwan is an intriguing prospect at the tight end position because of his combination of size, athleticism and overall upside. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 235 pounds, he already has the physical build to be a major presence on the field while still having plenty of time to develop before reaching the college level.
The four-star prospect has also attracted plenty of attention from programs across the country, with a growing list of offers showing just how highly recruiting programs view his potential. Northwestern joining that group gives the Wildcats an opportunity to begin building a relationship with one of the more talented tight ends in the 2028 recruiting class.
Kirwan’s size immediately stands out, but his athletic ability makes him an even more intriguing player. At his size, having the ability to contribute as both a blocker and receiving threat can make a tight end extremely valuable in an offense.
That type of versatility is something Northwestern could benefit from as it continues to build its roster for the future.
The Wildcats have continued to pursue talented prospects across multiple recruiting classes, looking to bring in players who can develop into significant contributors at the college level.
Extending an offer to Kirwan this early shows Northwestern’s willingness to get involved with talented players before their recruitments become even more competitive.
For Kirwan, there is still a long way to go before he has to make a college decision. The 2028 prospect has multiple seasons of high school football ahead of him, giving him plenty of time to continue developing his game, adding to his offer list and determining what he wants at the next level.
For Northwestern, the goal now will be continuing to build a relationship with Kirwan and showing him what the program can offer.
The Wildcats are entering an important stretch under head coach David Braun as they look to continue progressing and establish themselves as a consistent program in the Big Ten. Recruiting players with high-level talent and upside will be a major part of that process.
Sep 5, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach David Braun instructs his team before a game against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesTight end is also an interesting position to watch for Northwestern moving forward. The position can play an important role in both the passing and rushing games, particularly for a team looking to build a versatile offense capable of creating mismatches.
A prospect with Kirwan’s frame and athletic ability could eventually provide exactly that type of versatility.
Plenty of time remains before Kirwan reaches the college level, and an offer is only the beginning of the recruiting process. Still, Northwestern has made its interest clear by becoming one of the programs pursuing the talented Tennessee prospect.
As Kirwan’s recruitment continues to develop, it will be interesting to see how his offer list grows and whether Northwestern can remain a serious contender for his services.
For now, the Wildcats have taken an important first step by extending an offer to one of the promising tight end prospects in the 2028 class.
Northwestern continues to target high-level talent, and Kirwan is the latest young prospect to receive an opportunity to potentially become part of the program’s future.
