Northwestern added tight ends Alex Honig and Luke Dehnicke through the transfer portal, giving Chip Kelly and Aidan Chiles two big-bodied weapons who could become reliable targets and under-the-radar contributors in the Wildcats' new-look offense.
Northwestern has plenty of obvious storylines surrounding its offense entering the 2026 season.
Chip Kelly is taking over as offensive coordinator. Aidan Chiles is competing for the starting quarterback job. Griffin Wilde returns as one of the Wildcats' top playmakers and Caleb Komolafe is coming off a breakout season.
But two of Northwestern's most important offensive additions could be flying under the radar. The Wildcats added tight ends Alex Honig and Luke Dehnicke through the transfer portal, giving Kelly two big-bodied options who could become reliable weapons in his new offense.
Both players bring impressive size and proven production, and their presence could be especially valuable for Chiles as he continues to build confidence and chemistry in a new system.
Alex Honig Brings Size and Experience
Honig arrives in Evanston as one of the more experienced additions to Northwestern's tight end room.
The 6-foot-6, 275-pound graduate student comes to Northwestern from UConn after appearing in all 12 regular-season games in 2025 with seven starts. He finished the season with career highs of 13 receptions and 162 receiving yards while tying his career high with three touchdowns.
Honig's path to Northwestern has been unique.
Originally from Bavaria, Germany, he played American football with the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns before becoming a three-star recruit and the No. 1 quarterback and overall player in Germany. He initially played at TCU before eventually moving to UConn and now Northwestern.
His size immediately stands out.
At 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, Honig has the frame to provide value both as a blocker and as a target in the passing game. Northwestern will need him to help replace some of the production and versatility lost from last season, and his experience could make him an important piece of the offense.
UConn's Alex Honig (left) waits on a touchdown pass as the Huskies take a lead in the fourth quarter of Delaware's 44-41 overtime at Delaware Stadium, Sept. 13, 2025.Luke Dehnicke Brings Explosive Production
Dehnicke offers a different type of resume but enters Northwestern with even more recent statistical production.
The 6-foot-6, 230-pound redshirt sophomore comes to Evanston from Minnesota Duluth, where he put together an enormous 2025 season. Dehnicke recorded 61 receptions for 1,119 yards and 14 touchdowns while earning NSIC Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors. His 97.6 receiving yards per game ranked among the nation's best at the Division II level.
That production is difficult to overlook.
Dehnicke was one of the most productive receiving tight ends in college football last season, and Northwestern now has the opportunity to see how that production translates to the FBS level.
His size also gives Kelly another intriguing piece to work with.
At 6-foot-6, Dehnicke can present matchup problems for smaller defensive backs while giving Chiles a large target over the middle and in the red zone.
A Security Blanket for Chiles?
Perhaps the biggest reason to watch both tight ends is what they could mean for Northwestern's quarterback.
Whether Chiles ultimately wins the starting job or not, Northwestern will be relying on its quarterback to operate a new offense under Kelly. Having reliable, experienced targets who can create separation and provide large throwing windows could make that transition easier.
Tight ends can also provide quarterbacks with an important security blanket.
When a play breaks down or a quarterback needs a safe option underneath, a 6-foot-6 target with reliable hands can be an appealing option. Kelly could also use Honig and Dehnicke in different formations to create mismatches and force defenses to account for multiple threats.
That versatility could be especially valuable for Chiles.
Instead of asking him to consistently make difficult throws downfield, Northwestern could give him easier opportunities to get the ball into the hands of big, reliable targets and allow the offense to build rhythm.
Two Tight Ends Could Give Chip Kelly More Options
Kelly's arrival is another reason to believe Honig and Dehnicke could have opportunities to make an impact.
The new offensive coordinator has spent his career finding creative ways to utilize his personnel and put players in positions to succeed. Having two tight ends with significant size and different levels of experience gives him another way to keep defenses guessing.
Honig could provide veteran stability while Dehnicke brings the upside of a player coming off an extremely productive season and they could also complement one another.
Northwestern doesn't necessarily need either player to become the next great college tight end immediately. If both can consistently contribute as blockers and receivers, they could give Kelly the flexibility to use multiple tight end sets while creating opportunities for Wilde, Eligon and the Wildcats' running backs.
That could make the entire offense more difficult to defend.
Two Additions Who Could Change Northwestern’s Offense
There are plenty of names that will dominate the conversation surrounding Northwestern's offense this fall, but Honig and Dehnicke could become two of the unit's most important additions.
Both arrived in Evanston with something to prove, but they also bring the physical tools and production to become meaningful contributors. Their size could make them particularly valuable in the red zone, while their ability to catch passes and block gives Kelly more flexibility as he builds the offense.
If Chiles can develop chemistry with both players throughout fall camp, Northwestern could have two reliable targets who help make his transition to Kelly's offense smoother while giving the quarterback dependable options when plays break down.
The Wildcats are looking for a major offensive improvement in 2026. If Honig and Dehnicke can translate their previous production to the Big Ten, don't be surprised if these two 6-foot-6 tight ends become a bigger part of that improvement than many expect.
