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:

Outgoing Transfers

OL Hayden Wright

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.

RB Albert Kunickis III

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.

DB Dillon Tatum

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.

DB Evan Smith

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.

EDGE Anto Saka

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.

K Jack Olsen

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.

RB Dashun Reeder

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.

TE Hunter Welcing

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.

OL Talan Chandler

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.

OL Nick Herzog

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.

Incoming Commitments

OL David Anchondo (Saginaw Valley State)

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:

DB Brenden Deasfernandes (Central Michigan)

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:

LB Kobie McKinzie (Oklahoma)

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:

EDGE Jamaal Johnson (UCF)

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:

QB Aidan Chiles (Michigan State)

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:

K/P Jackson Kleather (Bowling Green)

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:

TE Alex Honig (UConn)

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.

OL Grant Seagren (Oklahoma State)

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:

DB Montae Pate (Weber State)

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.

TE Luke Dehnicke (Minnesota-Duluth)

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.

Reported Visits and Offers

EDGE Camden Byrd (Richmond)

RS-Jr., 1 year eligibility | 6-foot-3, 245 lbs
4 years at Richmond
Career: 38 games played, 93 total tackles, 23.5 tackles-for-loss, 17.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 passes defensed
2025: 12 games played, 34 total tackles, 11.5 tackles-for-loss, 8.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 pass defensed

Byrd announced on Friday that he had received an offer from Northwestern and would visit Evanston on Jan. 6. The defensive lineman was productive at the FCS level, playing 37 of 38 possible games for the Richmond Spiders over the past three seasons.

DB Leroy Bryant (Washington)

RS-So., 2 years eligibility | 6-foot-0, 185 lbs
3 years at Washington
Career: 26 games played, 23 total tackles, 2 interceptions, 0.5 tackles-for-loss
2025: 13 games played, 18 total tackes, 2 interceptions

Bryant played in all 13 games for the Huskies this fall, making five starts at corner. He has visits lined up with UCLA and Northwestern, according to On3's Adam Gorney.

LB Keith Williams Jr. (Cornell)

So., 2 years eligibility | 6-foot-1, 225 lbs
2 years at Cornell
Career: 19 games played, 77 total tackles, 5 passes defensed, 4 tackles-for-loss, 3 interceptions, 0.5 sacks
2025: 10 games played, 64 total tackles,  5 passes defensed, 4 tackles-for-loss, 3 interceptions, 0.5 sacks

Williams' three picks this year led Cornell and put him one interception behind the Ivy League lead. The sophomore linebacker revealed on Friday that he had received an offer from Northwestern and will come to campus on Jan. 6-7.

EDGE Khalil Poteat (Temple)

Sr., 1 year eligibility | 6-foot-5, 280 lbs
1 year at Nassau CC, 1 year at Dodge City CC, 2 years at Temple
Career: 29 games played, 58 total tackles, 4 tackles-for-loss, 2 forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 pass defensed
2025: 10 games played, 29 total tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss, 2 forced fumbles, 1 sack

Per On3's Pete Nakos, Poteat has set up visits with Northwestern, Kentucky, Mississippi State and Arkansas State. The former JUCO transfer started five games for Temple in 2025.

EDGE Alex DeGrieck (Harvard)

R-Jr., 1 year eligibility | 6-foot-4, 250 lbs
4 years at Harvard
Career: 31 games played, 44 total tackles, 13 tackles-for-loss, 9 sacks, 3 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles
2025: 11 games played, 24 total tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-loss, 6 sacks, 1 pass defensed, 1 forced fumble

An All-Ivy League First Team member this fall, DeGrieck has statistically improved each year at Harvard. He announced on Saturday morning that he had received an offer from Northwestern and will visit Evanston on Jan. 7.

OL Seth Smith (Northern Arizona)

Gr., 1 year eligibility | 6-foot-6, 285 lbs
5 years at Northern Arizona
Career: 31 games played
2025: 12 games played

Smith has started all 25 games at left tackle for the Lumberjacks since 2024. He is set to take an official visit to Northwestern on Jan. 3-4.

DB Jailen Duffie (North Dakota State)

R-So., 2 years eligibility | 5-foot-11, 175 lbs
3 years at North Dakota State
Career: 25 games played, 42 total tackles, 5 passes defensed, 2 tackles-for-loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
2025: 12 games played, 15 total tackles, 2 passes defensed, 1 tackle-for-loss, 1 forced fumble

Duffie started eight games on NDSU's FCS National Championship-winning team last season, and followed it up by starting all 12 games this fall. Per On3's Pete Nakos, Duffie has visits lined up with Northwestern and UCF.

Update: Duffie committed to UCF on Jan. 7, per the Orlando Sentinel's Matt Murschel.

WR Nico Brown (Yale)

R-Jr., 2 years eligibility | 6-foot-0, 195 lbs
4 years at Yale
Career: 14 games played, 74 receptions, 1,085 receiving yards, 11 receiving touchdowns
2025: 10 games played, 74 receptions, 1,085 receiving yards, 11 receiving touchdowns

After rarely seeing the field over his first three seasons, Brown broke out in 2025 with an All-Ivy League First Team campaign. He announced a visit to Northwestern set for Jan. 7, a day after he'll travel to UCLA.

DT Matt Herron (Weber State)

R-Jr., 1 year eligibility | 6-foot-3, 280 lbs
4 years at Weber State
Career: 35 games played, 92 total tackles, 20 tackles-for-loss, 6.5 sacks, 9 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble
2025: 12 games played, 46 total tackles, 9 tackles-for-loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble

The Second Team All-Big Sky defensive tackle will visit Northwestern on Jan. 9-10. Herron revealed an offer from the Wildcats on Jan. 2.

Update: Herron announced he is no longer planning to visit Northwestern.

DB Paul Omodia (Lamar)

R-So., 2 years eligibility | 6-foot-2, 198 lbs
2 years at Illinois State, 1 year at Lamar
Career: 29 games played, 91 total tackles, 16 passes defensed, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 1 sack
2025: 13 games played, 57 total tackles, 13 passes defensed, 2 tackles-for-loss, 1 sack

Last season was Omodia's lone year at Lamar, and he earned All-Southland Second Team honors. His visit to Evanston will be on Jan. 9, per 247 Sports' Chris Hummer and Matt Zenitz.

OL Brian Beidatsch Jr. (Dusquesne)

R-Jr., 1 year eligibility | 6-foot-4, 285 lbs
4 years at Dusquese
Career: 34 games played
2025: 12 games played

Beidatsch started all 12 games at left tackle for Dusquesne this fall, but also has experience at right guard and center. The 2024 Northeast Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year is set to visit Northwestern on Jan. 7-8.

RB Seth Davis (Mississippi State)

R-So., 3 years eligibility | 5-foot-7, 190 lbs
3 years at Mississippi State
Career: 14 games played, 64 carries, 403 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, 6 catches, 19 receiving yards
2025: 2 games played, 5 carries, 47 rushing yards, 1 touchdown

In the finale of a strong freshman season, Davis tore his ACL, forcing him to miss the entirety of 2024. He played in just two games in 2025, but has averaged 6.3 yards per carry when healthy. Davis is a former high school teammate of Northwestern RB Caleb Komolafe and will visit the Wildcats on Jan. 8, according to The Daily Northwestern's Anna Watson.