Now that the 2026 recruiting cycle has finished and there's one bowl game between Northwestern and the offseason, the focus will start to shift to adding talent via the transfer portal.
The 'Cats, no matter what happens against Central Michigan, had an impressive season, all things considered. Winning on the road at Penn State shouldn't be minimized. The level at which the 'Cats ran the football and the quality of play they got out of their offensive line was outstanding.
There was a lot to like and a lot to build on in the portal. Today, Northwestern received its first good news about a commit, officially acquiring former Saginaw Valley State offensive tackle David Anchondo.
The 'Cats will certainly have incoming transfers next year with more hype than this one, but Anchondo was a quality starter for the Division II Saginaw Valley. He also has the size already to succeed in the Big Ten.
Standing at 6-foot-7 with a weight of 310 lbs, Anchondo is a large human, and he's athletic enough to make it work on the outside of the line.
Northwestern is also turning into a great place for offensive linemen to come learn and develop. The 'Cats will have a very talented group next season for Anchondo to come in and work with, assuming they don't lose talent to the portal.
There's no way to know exact numbers, but Northwestern certainly isn't paying a pretty penny for Anchondo's services. But if the 'Cats can build an elite offensive line through consistent development and impactful recruiting, they can save their money to pay skill position players that may not otherwise come to Evanston.
And then, of course, there's the proposition of paying a quarterback. Northwestern could surprise everyone and run with Ryan Boe as the starter for next season, but adding a transfer feels more likely. As we've seen in past seasons, who that transfer is is crucial.
Ben Bryant was a hit for the Wildcats three years ago when the team went 8-4. All things considered, Preston Stone was a nice find this year. Mike Wright was a fail in between those two. But the 'Cats could really benefit from having someone a little more dynamic than any of those names running the offense.
With the offensive line nailed down and a couple solid weapons in Griffin Wilde and Hayden Eligon, the 'Cats need a quarterback who can make the most of it. It will be interesting to watch their actions in the portal as it relates to accomplishing that.
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