As the football season continues, so too does Northwestern's recruiting efforts. The 'Cats are in the process of finalizing their 2026 group, and they've also started offering players from the next two classes.
Yesterday, four-star 2027 safety Eli Johnson announced via X that he had received an offer from Northwestern. The Texas native is the No. 14 safety in his class, according to 247Sports, and the No. 132 player overall.
Rivals ranks Johnson a little bit higher, placing him at No. 89 overall and No. 12 at his position. He is also a four-star recruit according to their list.
Johnson's Northwestern offer is the latest signal that David Braun and the new athletic department mean business in recruiting. It may be difficult at this present moment to convince a player ranked this high to come to Evanston, but the Wildcats are taking some shots.
The biggest win here for Northwestern fans is the program's evolving attitude towards talent acquisition and its apparent willingness to adapt to the new college football landscape. The reality, though, is that Johnson probably isn't likely to choose NU.
According to 247, schools like Florida State, Texas and Baylor have all already submitted offers. Elsewhere in the Big Ten, the major programs are involved as well, including Michigan, Ohio State and Oregon. Rivals predicts Johnson will ultimately wind up a Sooner, playing for Oklahoma.
All of those schools have elite football programs that compete for national championships. Northwestern is still just trying to get its footing in a revamped Big Ten. Convincing players like Johnson to come to the school is the ultimate goal, but it will not come without its challenges.
Northwestern's best selling points remain obvious. It's a Big Ten school that simultaneously offers an elite academic experience. Its facilities are top notch, comparable with much higher achieving football programs around the country. And the new Ryan Field opens next year, promising to be a significant upgrade from the old stadium.
If Braun and co. can somehow convince Johnson that this is the place for him, they'd be getting an athlete who already has the size to compete at a power-conference level. Johnson stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 200 lbs, a fairly optimal size for a young safety.
The next step is to host Johnson for an official visit, something that may or may not occur depending on his interest level. He's already taken three total visits to Oklahoma, according to Rivals, and two to Ohio State, so the 'Cats are on the clock if they want to make this happen.
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