The NCAA pushed back the transfer portal's opening date to Jan. 2 for the first time this year, and while the decision did positively impact college football's bowl season, that hasn't stopped the madness that has ensued.

Over 4,500 players entered the portal on the first day. For many programs across the country, this second recruiting cycle serves as an opportunity to fill any remaining roster holes.

Northwestern saw massive contributions from its incoming transfers in 2025, earning All-Big Ten seasons from Griffin Wilde and Evan Beerntsen (both South Dakota State) while adding starting quarterback Preston Stone (SMU), right tackle Martes Lewis (Minnesota) and cornerback Fred Davis II (Jacksonville State).

Keeping track of the transfer portal is a whirlwind, so we at NorthwesternRoundtable have you covered with our official guide to the chaos. This article will be updated throughout the cycle with all the players who transfer to and from the Wildcats:

Fr, 4 years eligibility | 6-foot-5, 255 lbs
1 year at Northwestern
Career: 0 games played

The former three-star recruit announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 15. Wright did not see the field as a true freshman.

Update: Wright committed to Houston on Jan. 5.

RS-Jr., 1 year eligibility | 6-foot-3, 225 lbs
4 years at Northwestern
Career: 6 games played, 1 carry, 3 rushing yards
2025: 2 games played

Kunickis, who was born without his right hand and forearm, came to Northwestern as a preferred walk-on. He enters the portal as a graduate transfer.

RS-Jr., 1 year eligibility | 5-foot-11, 210 lbs
3 years at Michigan State, 1 year at Northwestern
Career: 34 games played, 79 total tackles, 9 passes defensed, 2.5 tackles-for-loss
2025: 12 games played, 17 total tackles, 1 pass defensed

Tatum spent a single season in Evanston after three in East Lansing. He played the majority of 2025 as the Wildcats' reserve nickel back and on special teams.

Update: Tatum committed to Miami (Ohio) on Jan. 6.

RS-Jr., 1 year eligibility | 5-foot-10, 185 lbs
4 years at Northwestern
Career: 32 games played, 42 total tackles, 5 passes defensed, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, 1 interception
2025: 8 games played, 6 total tackles, 1 pass defensed

The fourth Wildcat to enter the transfer portal, Smith was largely a reserve corner in 2025. He played all 25 games for Northwestern in 2023 and 2024, making four starts during his redshirt sophomore season.

Update: Smith committed to Duke on Jan. 17.

R-Jr., 1 year eligibility | 6-foot-4, 255 lbs
4 years at Northwestern
Career: 33 games played, 41 total tackles, 14 tackles-for-loss, 12 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
2025: 11 games played, 13 total tackles, 4 tackles-for-loss, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery

Shortly after defensive line coach Christian Smith reportedly left for Penn State, Saka became Northwestern's first starter to enter the portal. Saka was one of the top players on a strong front four and a viable NFL Draft candidate, but will now finish his collegiate career elsewhere. The former four-star is set to visit Penn State and Texas A&M.

Update: Saka committed to Texas A&M on Jan. 7.

Gr., 1 year eligibility | 5-foot-10, 195 lbs
1 year at Michigan State, 5 years at Northwestern
Career: 33 games played, 40-for-51 FG (78.4%), 47-yarder long, 69-for-70 PAT
2025: 12 games played, 19-for-21 FG (90.5%), 41-yarder long, 24-for-25 PAT

Northwestern's starting kicker entered the transfer portal on Jan. 6, following a career year in purple and white. Olsen was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2025.

Update: Olsen committed to Miami (Florida) on Jan. 16.

R-Fr., 3 years eligibility | 6-foot-0, 190 lbs
2 years at Northwestern
2025: 7 games played, 22 rushes, 222 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 total tackles, 1 fumble recovery

Reeder played seven games for the 'Cats in 2025, largely on special teams. However, he did break off a 79-yard rushing touchdown against Oregon for his first career touchdown.

Gr., 1 year eligibility | 6-foot-3, 250 lbs
6 years at Northwestern
Career: 39 games played, 29 catches, 316 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns
2025: 13 games played, 28 catches, 296 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns

Welcing is seeking his seventh year of college football after breaking out in 2025, according to On3's Pete Nakos. He entered the portal on Jan. 8.

Update: Welcing committed to Ohio State on Jan. 12.

R-Fr., 3 years eligibility | 6-foot-2, 300 lbs
1 year at Missouri, 1 year at Northwestern
Career: 3 games played
2025: 2 games played

Chandler transferred to Northwestern last winter after one year at Mizzou. He hits the portal again following a season in which he played six snaps.

Update: Chandler committed to Arkansas State on Jan. 9.

R-Jr., 2 years eligibility | 6-foot-4, 300 lbs
4 years at Northwestern
Career: 9 games played
2025: 4 games played

Herzog announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Jan. 8, making him the third former Wildcat to do so. He started one game at left guard in 2024.

RS-So., 2 years eligibility | 6-foot-7, 310 lbs
3 years at Saginaw Valley State (Division II)
Career: 14 games played
2025: 11 games played

Northwestern technically landed its first transfer of the cycle before the portal opened, as Anchondo committed to the Wildcats on Dec. 11. The 6-foot-7 tackle played just one season of high school football in Mexico before enrolling at Division II Saginaw Valley State.

Read More about David Anchondo here:

Gr., 1 year eligibility | 6-foot-0, 195 lbs
4 years at Iowa, 2 years at Central Michigan
Career: 39 games played, 41 total tackles, 9 passes defensed, 2 interceptions, 1.5 tackles-for-loss
2025: 13 games played, 25 total tackles, 8 passes defensed, 2 interceptions

Deasfernandes will play his seventh year of college football in 2026 (natural redshirt, COVID redshirt, medical redshirt), as the Central Michigan transfer officially committed to Northwestern on Monday. Against the Wildcats in the GameAbove Sports Bowl, the graduate tallied four pass breakups and two tackles.

Read More about Brenden Deasfernandes here:

R-Jr., 1 year eligibility | 6-foot-2, 236 lbs
4 years at Oklahoma
Career: 42 games played, 84 total tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss, 4 passes defensed, 2.5 sacks
2025: 12 games played, 32 total tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss, 1 sack

With Mac Uihlein graduating, McKinzie should slot right in at Northwestern's middle linebacker position. Last season for the Sooners, McKinzie started seven games as Oklahoma's MIKE and one as the WILL.

Read More about Kobie McKinzie here:

R-Jr., 1 year eligibility | 6-foot-2, 255 lbs
4 years at UCF
Career: 31 games played, 38 total tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, 1 sack
2025: 12 games played, 24 total tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss

Johnson is the fourth player to transfer to Northwestern, as he announced his decision to commit to the 'Cats on Tuesday afternoon. He will look to help replenish a Wildcats defensive line that is graduating a lot of experience.

Read More about Jamaal Johnson here:

Jr., 1 year eligibility | 6-foot-3, 225 lbs
1 year at Oregon State, 2 years at Michigan State
Career: 30 games played, 61.3% completion, 4,116 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 531 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns
2025: 9 games played, 63.1% completion, 1,392 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 227 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns

Chiles is now the frontrunner to start at quarterback for Northwestern after committing to the Wildcats on Tuesday night. The former four-star recruit does not turn 21 years old until September of 2026, but only has one year of eligibility remaining.

Read More about Aidan Chiles here:

Jr., 1 year eligibility | 5-foot-10, 185 lbs
3 years at Bowling Green
Career: 28 games played, 25-for-31 FG (80.7%), 56-yarder long, 43-for-44 PAT, 35 punts, 39.9 yards per punt
2025: 12 games played, 19-for-22 FG (86.7%), 56-yarder long, 26-for-26 PAT, 2 punts, 49.5 yards per punt

Northwestern needs to replace reliable kicker Jack Olsen, and the All-MAC placekicker could do just that after a strong junior campaign. Kleather visited Evanston on Jan. 5 and committed to the Wildcats two days later.

Read More about Jackson Kleather here:

R-Sr., 1 year eligibility | 6-foot-7, 270 lbs
2 years TCU, 3 years UConn
Career: 37 games played, 19 catches, 221 receiving yards, 6 receiving touchdowns
2025: 12 games played, 13 catches, 162 receiving yards, 3 receiving touchdowns

The massive 6-foot-7, 270-pound tight end committed to Northwestern on Jan. 7 after breaking out for UConn last season. Honig is a native of Bavaria, Germany.

R-So., 2 years eligibility | 6-foot-6, 311 lbs
2 years at Nebraska, 1 year at Oklahoma State
Career: 19 games played
2025: 12 games played

Seagren started the Cowboys' final 11 games at right tackle and was Oklahoma State's second-highest graded offensive lineman during his lone season in Stillwater, according to Pro Football Focus. Per his agent, Seagren chose the Wildcats over several other SEC and Big Ten schools. He also had visits lined up with Auburn, Arkansas and his most recent school, Oklahoma State.

Read More about Grant Seagren here:

R-Jr., 1 year eligibility | 6-foot-3, 170 lbs
4 years at Weber State
Career: 34 games played, 93 total tackles, 17 passes defensed, 6 tackles-for-loss, 2 interceptions
2025: 12 games played, 53 total tackles, 10 passes defensed, 5 tackles-for-loss, 1 interception

A member of the All-Big Sky First Team, Pate committed to Northwestern on Jan. 8, per ESPN's Adam Rittenberg. He visited Evanston on Jan. 6 and is the second addition to the Wildcats' secondary this cycle.

Read More about Montae Pate here:

R-Fr., 3 years eligibility | 6-foot-5, 240 lbs
2 years at Minnesota-Duluth (Division II)
Career: 15 games played, 61 catches, 1,119 receiving yards, 14 receiving touchdowns
2025: 12 games played, 61 catches, 1,119 receiving yards, 14 receiving touchdowns

Northwestern landed its second tight end commit in 24 hours in Minnesota-Duluth's Luke Dehnicke, who had eight other Power Four offers. The Division II First Team All-American had five games this season in which he eclipsed 140 receiving yards.

Sr., 3 years eligibility | 6-foot-3, 230 lbs
4 years at Michigan
Career: 1 game played
2025: 1 game played

The Wildcats will have two long snappers on their 2026 roster after the addition of Boutorwick, who made his debut against Texas in the Citrus Bowl. Boutorwick announced his commitment on Jan. 9.

R-So., 2 years eligibility | 6-foot-6, 328 lbs
2 years at Ball State, 1 year at Alabama
Career: 5 games played
2025: 1 game played

Anugwom played just four snaps at Alabama this season, and now will look to earn more playing time in Evanston. He started Ball State's 2024 season finale at left tackle.

R-Fr., 3 years eligibility | 6-foot-1, 220 lbs
2 years at Bowling Green
Career: 14 games played, 35 rushes, 104 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, 7 catches, 70 receiving yards
2025: 12 games played, 31 rushes, 93 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, 7 catches, 70 receiving yards

Porter played all 12 games for the Falcons, but was buried on the depth chart. The Dallas, Texas, native committed to Northwestern on Jan. 17, according to On3's Pete Nakos.

R-Jr., 1 year eligibility | 5-foot-11, 209 lbs
3 years at Oklahoma, 1 year at Florida State
Career: 35 games played, 285 rushes, 1,463 rushing yards, 19 rushing touchdowns, 36 catches, 251 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown
2025: 12 games played, 109 rushes, 486 rushing yards, 8 rushing touchdowns, 13 catches, 121 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown

The former four-star recruit and No. 7-ranked running back in the nation totaled 607 yards and nine touchdowns from scrimmage this season. Sawchuk announced his commitment to the Wildcats on Jan. 19.

R-Fr., 3 years eligibility | 6-foot-4, 269 lbs
2 years at Ohio State
Career: 6 games played, 2 total tackles
2025: 3 games played, 1 total tackle

Kirks was a former four-star recruit and the No. 13-ranked defensive lineman in the Class of 2024. He was a part of OSU's National Championship team as a freshman, but played just 24 snaps over two seasons in Columbus. He committed to Northwestern on Jan. 21.

Read More about Dominic Kirks here:

R-So., 2 years eligibility | 6-foot-2, 293 lbs
3 years at Sacred Heart
Career: 22 games played, 40 total tackles, 4 tackles-for-loss, 2 passes defensed, 1 sack
2025: 12 games played, 29 total tackles, 4 tackles-for-loss, 2 passes defensed, 1 sack

Stephen-Wangboje became the fourth non-FBS player to transfer to Northwestern this cycle when he announced his commitment on Jan. 22. He will likely play defensive tackle for the Wildcats.