Jayden Hodge and Symon Ghai propel the Wildcats to their highest recruiting finish since 2019.
As Northwestern bolstered its roster with five additions through the transfer portal, the program also received recognition for its incoming freshmen.
According to Rivals on Monday, the Wildcats' two freshmen commits, Jayden Hodge and Symon Ghai, ranked 70th and 97th, respectively, in its final 2026 recruiting class rankings, which featured the top 150 players in the class. Both players earned four-star recruit designations.
Hodge and Ghai are the only two freshman commits for Northwestern heading into the 2026-27 season. With both on board, the 'Cats placed 39th in On3's recruiting rankings—the program's best finish since ranking 36th in 2019. They also ranked 50th in 247Sports' composite team rankings.
Intriguingly, both Hodge and Ghai are ranked higher by Rivals in this cycle than Tre Singleton, the four-star forward who ranked No. 101 in the 2025 class and was once considered the highest-ranked recruit in program history. Singleton transferred to Iowa State in April after spending just one season with the 'Cats.
Hodge, a 6-foot-6 wing, played six games at Montverde Academy (Florida), averaging 11.2 points and 5.8 rebounds before suffering a torn ACL that sidelined him for the remainder of his high school season. The four-star standout from Belgium was also named to ESPN's SportsCenter NEXT 100 ranking at No. 90.
Before spending his final season at Montverde, Hodge enjoyed success at St. Rose High School in Belmar, New Jersey, where he spent two years alongside his brother Matthew, who currently plays for Villanova as a redshirt freshman. Together, they won two consecutive NJSIAA sectional titles.
During the 2024-25 NJSIAA Tournament, Hodge reached his peak with averages of 19.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists, helping the team win its third straight sectional title. He also led St. Rose to a second consecutive conference championship in the Shore Conference Tournament.
Jayden Hodge leans back to shoot past Rutgers Prep’s Myles Parker. St. Rose Boys Basketball vs Rutgers Prep in NJSIAA South Non-Public Final in Jackson, NJ on March 10, 2025.According to a follow-up report by On3, Hodge has excelled in his ACL recovery and is expected to be healthy for the start of next season—crucial news for Northwestern's wing depth.
Standing at 7-foot-3, Ghai is considered another promising recruit for boosting Northwestern's frontcourt presence. Originally from South Sudan, Ghai plays for The Academy of Central Florida in Orlando, though his home is also listed as St. Louis, Missouri. Rivals/On3 currently ranks Ghai No. 25 among centers nationally.
This year, Ghai helped his school win the SIAA State Championship, earning tournament MVP honors after the title game. His combination of size, shot-blocking ability and developing offensive skills makes him an intriguing prospect for head coach Chris Collins' frontcourt alongside transfer additions Luke McEldon and Okku Federiko.
With both Hodge and Ghai joining the program, Northwestern has secured its highest-ranked recruiting class in years, showing promising signs as the 'Cats aim to rebuild following Nick Martinelli's graduation and massive roster turnover after transfer fallouts.