Northwestern Signs Former Four-Star Ohio State Edge Rusher

David Braun and Christian Sarkisian are continuing to cook in the NCAA transfer portal. The Northwestern head coach and general manager tandem have been aggressive in the college football free-for-all and earned commitments from players who were previously at high-caliber programs.

On Wednesday night, the 'Cats picked up a former four-star recruit at a position of dire need. Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reported that Ohio State edge rusher Dominic Kirks had committed to Northwestern with three years of eligibility remaining.

Kirks was ranked the No. 148 overall recruit and No. 13 defensive lineman in the Class of 2024, according to On3's industry average. The four-star from Painesville, Ohio, was initially committed to the Washington Huskies before flipping to the in-state Buckeyes in January of his senior year.

Despite being a highly-touted prospect, Kirks rarely saw the field in Columbus. He took seven snaps in three games as a true freshman and was largely buried among a veteran unit that won the National Championship. In 2025, Kirks played 17 snaps in three games, including 11 in a 70-0 blowout against Grambling State.

Kirks will have a much greater opportunity to earn a bigger role in Evanston. The Wildcats are losing their top two edge rushers — with Aidan Hubbard graduating and Anto Saka transferring to Texas A&M — and will have massive turnover on the defensive interior.

Junior Michael Kilbane was Northwestern's highest-graded defender by PFF and played all across the line, but will likely bounce outside to replace Hubbard and Saka next fall. That leaves Kirks, UCF transfer Jamaal Johnson and a plethora of inexperienced underclassmen competing for the opposite starting edge rusher job.

Northwestern also earned a commitment from Sacred Heart defensive lineman Glory Stephen-Wangboje on Thursday. The 293-pounder will likely play defensive tackle on the Wildcats' revamped front four. Stephen-Wangboje totaled 29 tackles, four tackles-for-loss and a sack during his redshirt-sophomore season.

The additions of Kirks and Stephen-Wangboje expand the 'Cats' incoming transfer portal class to 16 players, making it the largest in program history. The group includes four former four-star recruits and players who previously attended Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Michigan.

Northwestern greatly benefited from its transfers last season. Quarterback Preston Stone, wide receiver Griffin Wilde, right guard Evan Beerntsen, right tackle Martes Lewis and cornerback Fred Davis II all became starters after joining the Wildcats from the portal.

The 'Cats have already made significant strides to improve their roster this winter, but there are no signs that Braun, Sarkisian and Northwestern will slow down any time soon.